Community Midwives of Kingston

08/16/2021

Dear Clients:

From August 17-27 our clinic will be undergoing important and long awaited renovations. We will be fully open during this time.

Please note the following important changes:

*The front door will be inaccessible to all clients/support people. We will be using our back door only, located on the York Street side. Directional signage will be put up.

*The waiting rooms will be closed to all clients/support people. Please continue to wait in your cars when you arrive until you receive a phone call from your midwife. If you do not have a car, please wait outside the clinic or at McBurney Park until you are called.

*Our upstairs washroom will be inaccessible. The basement washrooms will be open.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this possibly (likely) chaotic time.

With thanks,

~Community Midwives of Kingston~

08/16/2021

Ontario midwives call for reunification of Afghan families with midwife refugees currently in Canada

If you have a few minutes, please advocate on behalf of these midwives’ families to escape Kabul. These families are in grave, imminent danger simply because midwives care for pregnant people and support reproductive rights.

Please contact Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to ask that these families be included in the Canadian airlift out of Afghanistan.

The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino
E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: 613-954-1064

Please, if you personally know anyone in the federal government who can impact this effort, or if you have media contacts who may be interested in covering this story, get in touch with Bridget Lynch as soon as possible by emailing [email protected], or call 416-358-7033, or contact Juana Bernstein at the AOM at [email protected].

/CNW/ - Just prior to the pandemic, three former leaders of the Afghan Midwives Association entered Toronto as refugees. They had received death threats from...

08/04/2021

KHSC updates family presence policy to two registered visitors per patient

KGH is now allowing two registered visitors per inpatient (so this means once someone is admitted in labour), BUT only one person is allowed to be with the admitted person at a time.
Ideally, both of the visitors have been vaccinated. ✌️

(Kingston, Ontario) Individuals admitted to hospital may have a total of two registered visitors, with only one family visitor in the hospital at a time.

07/22/2021

If you or your loved ones still need first or second covid vaccines, there are a few walk-in options around Kingston in the coming week.

If you or your loved ones still need first or second covid vaccines, there are a few walk-in options around Kingston in the coming week.

06/28/2021

Our pager system is on the fritz again. If you need to page us, try the pager first, but if it doesn't work, you can reach us through C5. (at some point, our pager company should fix it like they always do.)

Also, drink a lot of water and stay cool today! Summer is here!

06/10/2021

THIS WILL LIKELY MAKE YOU UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT IT VERY MUCH NEEDS TO BE SAID.

Last week, the remains of 215 children were found at a former residential school. They were all victims of racism.

A few days ago, 4 people were murdered in yet another act of racism.

This is a long one. Keep reading.

These aren't the only recent incidents of racism. They also won't be the last.

Each time they occur, people say "This isn't our Canada!"

Except it is. Racism exists in Canada.

And denying its existence is condoning racism.

It's all around us, if you're willing to look.

An easy place to start is to look at our posts and the posts of local media. Read the replies & comments.

You'll see people say "check the names" on news stories about crimes.

You'll see people talk about the "China virus", or the "Indian variant that 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 people brought to 𝒐𝒖𝒓 country".

You'll see people who say members of marginalized communities brought substance use issues onto themselves, and therefore don't deserve our support.

You'll see people questioning why we prioritized "those people" in our vaccine rollout (referring to Indigenous peoples).

You'll see the tentacles of white supremacy weaving their way through the "COVID is a hoax/this is just a flu" crowd.

And yes, the "see more replies" section of the Twitter version of this post will inevitably be full of them, each one saying why their often-racist remarks aren't racist.

Racism exists in Canada.

As do bigotry, misogyny & homophobia.

Their impacts are there, if you're willing to look.

And please note that if you’ve never feared that you or your family might be the targets of racist acts, then please be mindful of the privilege you have.

You see, privilege isn’t simply about having things given to you.

It's about not having barriers put in your way of getting those things in the first place.

We know racism is a barrier to secure employment, education and healthcare.

We know it can cause chronic stress, anxiety, depression and trauma.

Racism is a mental health issue that, for many, is a daily reality & a constant struggle.

There isn't a cheeky segue in this one. This is a call to action.

Because racism is present in this country.

Racism is a public health issue & addressing racism is a responsibility we share.

If you've never experienced discrimination, be an ally to those who have.

If you have, please know that you are not alone.

Your community stands with you, and support is available.

To learn more about racism & mental health and how to be an ally, you can visit our website: http://ow.ly/RXWh30rKlni

This 𝒊𝒔 our Canada. Change is up to us.

Speak up against all forms of hate and injustice.

-OPH out.

06/10/2021

Amy will be working with Kaz, Alison and Mico soon!
Please join us in welcoming her to Kingston!

I’m Amy and I’m a bilingual senior midwifery student completing my final placement with the Community Midwives of Kingston.
Throughout my midwifery education, I’ve been placed around Southern and Central Ontario. Last year I spent a beautiful summer alongside the Midwives of Muskoka, and this past winter I worked with the hospitalist midwives in Markham.
Before my Canadian midwifery journey, I lived in the United Kingdom where I worked for the NHS as a healthcare assistant in Labour & Delivery. I also completed a 3 month French work exchange on a Delivery unit in Togo, West Africa.
In my personal life, I am a dog lover and coffee drinker. I enjoy true crime podcasts, fiction novels and kayaking.
I am so happy to be finishing my degree in the beautiful city of Kingston and look forward to meeting you all.

Amy will be working with Kaz, Alison and Mico soon!
Please join us in welcoming her to Kingston!

I’m Amy and I’m a bilingual senior midwifery student completing my final placement with the Community Midwives of Kingston.
Throughout my midwifery education, I’ve been placed around Southern and Central Ontario. Last year I spent a beautiful summer alongside the Midwives of Muskoka, and this past winter I worked with the hospitalist midwives in Markham.
Before my Canadian midwifery journey, I lived in the United Kingdom where I worked for the NHS as a healthcare assistant in Labour & Delivery. I also completed a 3 month French work exchange on a Delivery unit in Togo, West Africa.
In my personal life, I am a dog lover and coffee drinker. I enjoy true crime podcasts, fiction novels and kayaking.
I am so happy to be finishing my degree in the beautiful city of Kingston and look forward to meeting you all.

05/16/2021

*****UPDATE******It is working again!

FYI for all of our current clients: our paging system is currently down. If you get a busy signal when trying to reach your midwife through the urgent line or no return call, please then call Labour & Delivery at KHSC, as per the "When to Page Your Midwife" instruction page on our website.

Hope you are enjoying this lovely spring sunshine!

*****UPDATE******It is working again!

FYI for all of our current clients: our paging system is currently down. If you get a busy signal when trying to reach your midwife through the urgent line or no return call, please then call Labour & Delivery at KHSC, as per the "When to Page Your Midwife" instruction page on our website.

Hope you are enjoying this lovely spring sunshine!

05/13/2021

Sign the Petition

It's Nurses Week in Canada and we want to say Happy Nurses Week to our Beloved Colleagues by sharing this petition in solidarity as another profession also pushing the government to reform its gendered pay discrimination practices (in addition to being your colleagues, midwives and friends.)

This cap (see below) happened during the pandemic, in which nurses~ in particular~ are carrying a unique burden of dealing with the fallout of the management of the pandemic in Ontario. They are providing expert levels of care, while experiencing an increased risk of covid exposure and infection, in very difficult working conditions, without (adequate) sick pay AND they are now capped at 1% pay increase for the next ten years. If you are able, please support these absolute GEMS by signing this petition.

Happy Nurses Week, lovely Nurses.
We hope you win this fight against Bill 124.

"Ontario Nurses are launching a campaign for exemption from Bill 124, Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for the Future, which has the potential to become binding as of May 31, 2021

Bill 124 will directly affect the care nurses are able to provide to the public by taking away nurses’ right to fair and equal pay, asking nurses to continue to do more with less.

Capped at 1%, nurses will earn less than inflation, continuing a 10-year trend, and will restrict negotiation for a fair wage increase. This wage suppression undervalues the work of nurses and minimizes the critical role we play as the first line of defence in patient care and public health."

A little background:
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/ontario-nurses-wage-increase_ca_5ee15f6ec5b6f3f8e018ece4

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/devalued-and-disposable-nurses-angry-demoralized-by-pay-cap-on-heels-of-pandemic

The petition:
https://www.change.org/p/ontario-premier-doug-ford-support-ontario-nurses-against-bill-124?recruiter=798592003&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_abi&utm_term=psf_combo_share_initial&recruited_by_id=122103f0-a3d3-11e7-ad4e-51ec5e28e6c7&utm_content=fht-28818103-en-ca%3A2

Support Ontario Nurses AGAINST BILL 124 !

05/09/2021

Sit with us in community this coming Tuesday, May 11th.

Whether you have given birth recently, or it's been a while, sharing your story is a cathartic empowering experience.⁠
⁠
Come sit in a safe space (virtually of course!) with us and choose whether you'd like to actively listen to other birth stories, or share your own. ⁠
⁠
Register for your spot here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/birth-sharing-circle-tickets-145994757249?aff=erelexpmlt

04/23/2021

Parenting in a Pandemic workshop coming up next Tuesday, April 27, 5:30-7 p.m. Registration is required to attend. Please email [email protected] with your name to register for the workshop. We will be raffling off a select number of grocery basket prizes to those attending the workshop!

04/23/2021

As of this morning, pregnant people moved to the 'highest risk' health condition category and can book an appointment by going to: https://www.kflaph.ca/en/healthy-living/covid-19-vaccine.aspx
Click on the pregnancy-specific booking links for Kingston and/or Napanee!

In their latest statement, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist of Canada (SOGC) "supports the use of all available COVID-19 vaccines approved in Canada in any trimester of pregnancy and during breastfeeding in accordance with regional eligibility." They also state: "Pregnant women who have COVID-19 appear more likely to develop respiratory complications requiring intensive care than women who aren't pregnant. Providing ventilator support in pregnancy is more challenging, and the risks are greater to both mother and child. Pregnant women with COVID-19 are more likely to have a premature birth and caesarean delivery, and their babies are more likely to be admitted to a neonatal unit."

If you want to read more about covid, covid vaccines + pregnancy: https://www.omama.com/en/pre-pregnancy/coronavirus-disease--covid-19-.asp

As of this morning, pregnant people moved to the 'highest risk' health condition category and can book an appointment by going to: https://www.kflaph.ca/en/healthy-living/covid-19-vaccine.aspx
Click on the pregnancy-specific booking links for Kingston and/or Napanee!

In their latest statement, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist of Canada (SOGC) "supports the use of all available COVID-19 vaccines approved in Canada in any trimester of pregnancy and during breastfeeding in accordance with regional eligibility." They also state: "Pregnant women who have COVID-19 appear more likely to develop respiratory complications requiring intensive care than women who aren't pregnant. Providing ventilator support in pregnancy is more challenging, and the risks are greater to both mother and child. Pregnant women with COVID-19 are more likely to have a premature birth and caesarean delivery, and their babies are more likely to be admitted to a neonatal unit."

If you want to read more about covid, covid vaccines + pregnancy: https://www.omama.com/en/pre-pregnancy/coronavirus-disease--covid-19-.asp

04/21/2021

Did you screen positive for Group B streptococcus (GBS)?

Are you interested in preventing and managing GBS in newborns?

Are you a current or former midwifery client interested in contributing to the development of evidence-based resource materials for midwives
Contribute to the new AOM Clinical Practice Guideline on GBS
See post below!
Deadline for application: April 28, 2021
Apply here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GSBClientRep

Did you screen positive for Group B streptococcus (GBS)?

Are you interested in preventing and managing GBS in newborns?

Are you a current or former midwifery client interested in contributing to the development of evidence-based resource materials for midwives
Contribute to the new AOM Clinical Practice Guideline on GBS
See post below!
Deadline for application: April 28, 2021
Apply here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GSBClientRep

04/20/2021

The MotHERS™ Podcast | The MotHERS Program™

Did you know that our very own KHSC obstetrician and Maternal-Fetal Medicine Dr. Graeme Smith hosts a podcast with experts on various topics related to pregnancy, birth and postpartum?
Check it out and let us know what you learned!
https://www.themothersprogram.ca/the-motherstm-podcast

The MotHERS™ podcast is an extension of the MotHERS Program™ and aims to provide a reliable source of education about pregnancy on the internet in an effort to improve mother's health through education, research, and screening. The podcast is hosted by Dr. Graeme Smith, head of Obstetrics & Gyna...

04/17/2021

How are you taking care of yourself right now?

Join Dr. Stéphanie Boyer, director of the Perinatal Mental Health Service for this FREE webinar focusing on taking care of your physical and emotional well-being as a new expecting parent admist the COVID-19 pandemic!
Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_Vlkb4Cg4QbCJ4-aWBAsaUw

Join Dr. Stéphanie Boyer, director of the Perinatal Mental Health Service for this FREE webinar focusing on taking care of your physical and emotional well-being as a new expecting parent admist the COVID-19 pandemic!

Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Vlkb4Cg4QbCJ4-aWBAsaUw

04/15/2021

COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy – Pregnancy Info

COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy – Pregnancy Info

Based on what we know, there is no theoretical reason to believe the COVID-19 vaccines would be unsafe in pregnancy. The vaccines do not contain live virus.

04/15/2021

Hello everyone.

Just a note that appointment emails will be coming from a different email address from now on. The new email address is [email protected].

Thanks!

04/14/2021

Open letter in support of Midwifery program at Laurentian University

Laurentian University cancelled its midwifery program this week (alongside many other programs). They train 1/3 of midwives in Ontario and many of the amazing midwives at our practice became midwives at Laurentian.

There is a petition linked to show your support for midwifery students, faculty, and the communities that need midwives now and in the future. 💙

Link to the petition here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuXSRRxrcKVD8VpL6gXNc_1WaczEKSYTzVycB0Kh0CjgsqsA/viewform

(This is also shareable!)

Please sign this letter by Friday April 16th, 2021. We will be sending it to administration, political representatives and the media. Feel free to use the body of this letter to send to stakeholders near to you. Friends of midwifery, Midwives, Colleagues, Students, and Community members; Due to inso...