Both our daughters are Kensington babies: Sophia (born in November 2006 at St. Joseph's Hospital) and Simone (born at home in September 2008). This photograph was taken 12 hours after Simone was born. And yes, Sophia is chewing on a condom wrapper as if to say "Hey, mom & dad, next time use one of these".

Words cannot capture the gratitude and admiration that we feel towards these remarkable sages femmes. A special thank you to Pam (I will have to fly back to Canada if I get pregnant again because you and pregnancy go together in our family -- and maybe one day a birth, too *smile*) and Elaine (my voice when I could not speak, my strength when I could not stand), Lindsay and Babette, Houley, Raquel and the many students (especially Holly) whose paths we crossed.

Our home - wherever in the world it may be - will always be open to you.

WE ARE ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS!

It's never too late to try to book a midwife! We have spaces available for late Sept, OCT and NOV 2009, please spread the word, and encourage other pregnant women you know to explore their options. The first appointment is always a no commitment required meeting with a midwife to learn more about what you could expect from care with Kensington Midwives. Please call our office 416 928-9777 or email us if you are interested. Thanks for your support.

Welcome to Our Students!

Spring always brings with a fresh bunch of students! Please join us in welcoming the following 4 students to our practice.

Erin Guard Midwifery 3/4/clerkship Student - Preceptor Andrea Lennox R.M.

Hi! My name is Erin and I am a Ryerson Midwifery student doing my last year of practical at Kensington Midwives. I have been hoping I would be placed here since I have been in the program, as it is minutes from my home and I have heard many great things about the practice. I have had the last semester off and I am ecstatic about returning to what I love doing most, helping to care for women and their families throughout pregnancy and supporting them during labour and the postpartum period. I applied to midwifery straight out of high school but I didn’t have some of the required courses. I went to McMaster University for four years studying sociology before I reapplied to Ryerson, and here I am! I love the city, and I spend a lot of my time in the Kensington area.

My first placement was at Kitchener-Waterloo Midwifery Associates, and my second placement was at Midwife Alliance. I have also spent some time with the lactation consultants and in the NICU at Mount Sinai. During my semester off I helped to contribute to and edit a slide show for a 12 day pre and postnatal class for high risk aboriginal women in Alberta for Health Canada. After graduation I plan to stay in the Toronto area to practice.

Erin will be doing her final clinical placements with Kensington Midwives from April 22 2008 to April 2 2009

Folami Jones- Preceptor Pam MacInnis

My name is Shalyn Folami Jones, but you can call me Folami. I will be working alongside Pam and Elaine. I'm very excited to be a part of the team, and I am looking forward of taking with me some gentle yet fundamental tools and skills for my years to come. I bring with me to share, my experiences of working with marginalized women and families, which has been a huge focus and commitment for me over the past thirteen years working towards social change and equity. I feel humbled to say that I have been attending births and supporting women within this community over those years. I am African-Canadian, born and raised in Nova Scotia and I came to Toronto in 1998. I have three absolutely beautiful children and I am proud to say the last two babies were caught by a midwife at home.

I’m in my last year of Midwifery…Yippee :O) I’ve had many great placements over the years, including my first placement here at Kensington, but as well at the Grace Maternity Hospital in Nova Scotia, and Kingston Jamaica at the Jubilee Maternity Care Hospital. It’s been an amazing journey, and I’m so grateful for all the families that have allowed me to be apart of the birthing experience.

I heart kensington midwives

After giving birth to my son, I was wondering why I’m very fond and
grateful to the Kensington Midwives, so after a few weeks of thinking I
realized that I shared with them one of the most intimate moments of my
life. Besides conceiving a child, giving birth involves some sort of
intimacy and vulnerability. Being naked and exposed in front of these
women (meaning emotionally and physically), made me feel a bond with them.

Their patience and caring attitude made me feel safe and strong. Corrine
was always there answering to every call, didn’t matter if it was a false
alarm or simply to share a feeling. She had a loving voice and time to
listen. Andrea was always cheerful and made me feel we were doing the
right thing, always with open mind and respect to my feelings. Houley’s
kindness and big smile gave me a peace of mind. Pam is part of this
family’s history, she’s been here for us twice, and we really appreciate
her.

My pregnancy wasn’t easy, with a “dynamic” cervix, a threat of premature
labor, a previous gestational diabetes pregnancy, a tiring trip to Mexico,
a six long weeks of false labor and an induction at 41 weeks, but it ended
up with a beautiful fast birth.

There are not enough words to thank this group of women for their hard
work and dedication. It’s hard to say goodbye but our time here is over.
We sure are going to miss them very much, but we’ll have them in a special
place in our minds.

Mil gracias Corrine, Andrea, Houley and Pam.
Love
Nuria

Labour-Ball!

Midwife Lindsay MacDougall with Kate (3rd time super - birther) in labour in room 10 at St. Joseph's Health Centre

Welcome baby Abigael born Jan 2008! & thanks to Kate for sharing this photo.

Meet Midwife Pam MacInnis

PHOTO COMING SOON!

Hi! My name is Pam MacInnis.

I was born and raised in the Town of Richmond Hill, Ontario, and I am the youngest child in a family of 4 girls. I always loved listening to the birth stories of my parents told by my grandmothers. Both my parents were born in Toronto at home. Apparently, my Dad was born on the kitchen table, and my mom born without the doctor there. I have two wonderful little girls age Alaina and Ava, who were born at home with midwives.

In 1985 I studied massage therapy. I have been practicing massage for the past 18 years. The last ten years of my practice, I focused on women’s health, pregnancy, labour, birth and the postpartum period for moms and babies. In 1994, I attended my first birth. I was honoured when my sister Kelly asked me to be with her and support her at the birth of her son Sam. It was the most amazing experience for me. I attended many labours and births after that as a massage therapist.

I began my training for Midwifery in 1998 in the Midwifery Education Program at Ryerson University. Throughout my training I enjoyed many clinical placements working with various healthcare providers in obstetrics and women’s health. The last year of my clinical education, 2003-2004 was with Kensington Midwives. This allowed me to develop a great relationship with our hospital St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto, as well as familiarize myself with various resources for women and families in this area.

I am registered with the College of Midwives and practice within their standards and guidelines. I am also a member of the Association of Ontario Midwives. I maintain a current certification in CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation, as well as Emergency Skills.

I look forward to meeting and working with you!

Julie and Dylan Jan 2008

New Motherhood and Midwives

Tribute to Kensington Midwives

I am French and left Paris for Toronto at the end
of my seventh month of pregnancy.

That's when Djoume, my partner, we got to know Lindsay
and Manavi, our midwives. Since the very beginning, we loved
them. Their sweetness,their smile, understanding, tolerance...
we felt that at once,during the first appointment with Lindsay,
and forever.

My pregnancy was very healthy. I was not more anxious than any
other pregnant woman,I guess, and not less. Of course,
moving to a new city and country during your first pregnancy
is a source of anxiety, but I was really feeling secure in my
midwives' hands !

Then labor came. Manavi was on call. She was really supportive,
and as usual,full of respect and understanding. I did not notice
(I was to busy with contractions)but Djoume underlined the fact
that Manavi did not try to interfere during labor, she wasn't
intrusive at all, on the contrary ! She even told us "you know
guys,it seems that contractions are stronger when I am not around,
you're doing very well together so I'll stay in this room and
leave you alone". I had never heard a care giver admit that it
was better without them! My labor was very long, and even though
we would have liked a home birth, we ended up at the hospital
for a c-section. Then again, Manavi was supportive and
understanding. She understood why I was crying, why I was so
disappointed but explained me with highly soothing words that
it was the best, and the only option.

Pregnancy, labor... everyone knows that midwives help you
through those deeply emotional times. But I am most grateful
to Manavi,Lindsay and Elaine for their help,support, understanding,
respect and knowledge for the post-partum part.

They gave us lots of advice, about breastfeeding and baby care.
All the advice and explanations were full of common sense and
meant at helping parents not to feel guilty, especially mummy.

Gosh, how guilty I felt. The first days of the baby are so painful,
I had never had such contradictory feelings. I felt trapped, I
felt that I my life was totally controlled by this new little human
being,that I had lost my self and wasn't really feeling love for
this baby,I was crying at least three or four times a day. I was
feeling guilty,and inadequate, and a bad mother, not able to supply
enough milk, and poorly latching the baby on and... well thinking
that everything starting from my behavior to my feelings was WRONG.
Even though I was prepared for the "baby blues" I couldn't imagine
such strong negative emotions.

Manavi,Lindsay, Elaine took time to listen to me, and they kept
encouraging me, giving advice, telling me I was doing a great job.
They never judged me and remained so supportive and understanding.
I think I wouldn't have succeeded in breastfeeding without their
advice. They managed to make me feel as confident as a newborn
mother can feel.

Above all, Manavi always succeeded in putting Souleymane to sleep
before she would live us on the first days... that was of great
help and support

My last appointment with Manavi is coming soon, within 2
days. I already said goodbye to Lindsay. I feel as if they were
friends to me, they helped me to go through such a major change
in my life. They actually became my best friends and best mothers
during the post-partum period.
But I understand that I must grow up, that I can't remain a
newborn mother forever. The cord has to be cut !

Thanks. I will miss you and never forget you.

Elise

Kensington Midwives Makes Cute Babies!

Baby Sevrin born April 2007

Midwifery Students 2008

From Jan 2/08 until April 10/08, Kensington Midwives will have 3 great new Midwifery I students joining us from the Midwifery Education Program. Let's give them a warm welcome.



Hey all, my name is Susannah Merritt and I am thrilled to begin my first clinical placement at Kensington Midwives in January 2008. I live in the neighborhood of Kensington Market/Little Italy, so I feel very lucky to be working with a diverse group of midwives and clients in my own community. In 2003, I completed a degree from the University of Toronto, where I majored in History, Environmental studies and English. I have traveled extensively and lived in South America, where I had the opportunity to visit the Antarctic twice as a bartender onboard a Russian ship (!) While traveling, I became particularly interested in women’s reproductive health issues around the world. After returning to Canada and assessing my options, it became clear that midwifery is—for me-- a perfect fit.

I can’t wait to get started.
Susannah




My name is Claire Osepchook and I am very excited to begin my first clinical placement at Kensington Midwives. I am in my second year of the Midwifery Education Programme at Ryerson University. I decided to follow this path as I am fascinated by women’s health and the wonderful adventure of pregnancy and birth. I have an undergraduate degree in biochemistry as well as a Masters degree in exercise science. I completed part of my studies at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, where I was able to combine my interest in physiology, athletics and traveling. In 2006, I returned from New Zealand, where I lived for over four years working as a research technician, part of which in a placenta and pregnancy laboratory. I am happy to be back in Canada, especially at a time when so many of my loved ones are starting their own families. I enjoy exploring the outdoors, taking part in triathlons, and supporting women and their families as they welcome their new babies into the world.




Hello, Bonjour. My name is Amelie Seguin Bender and I am very excited to be doing my first clinical placement with the Kensington Midwives. I previously graduated from Queen's University with a B.A. in Psychology and Health but my heart has always been in Midwifery! Prior to becoming a student at Ryerson I have been working with at-risk youth and travelling. I had the opportunity to teach English overseas and travelled throughout parts of South East Asia and India. These experiences have made me eager to practice my midwifery skills both at home and abroad. I want to thank each of you for allowing me to learn through your birth experiences. I look forward to meeting you!

Breastfeeding Handbook

The following link is an excellent free breastfeeding handbook that will help you get a good start on breastfeeding. We recommend that you first read through it in your pregnancy, and then keep it as a reference in the postpartum. For clarification, ask your midwife
http://www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/publications/pdfiles/breastfeeding_handbook.pdf

Meet Midwife Mary Hunking

PHOTO COMING SOON!

My name is Mary Hunking.
I have been an Ontario midwife since 1989. I did my initial midwifery training in a small 3-yr. direct entry program in British Columbia. Throughout that program, I had the opportunity to do clinical placements with midwives in Vancouver, Edmonton, Jamaica (both Montego Bay and Kingston), and Holland. It was fantastic. Upon returning to Ontario, I began practicing in Peterborough Ontario and then qualified for the pre-legislation program at the Michener Institute in Toronto Ontario. I then moved to Kingston Ontario where I lived and worked for the next 9 years. Toronto was my next destination and I joined Kensington Midwives in 2003, when we were still Access Midwives. Prior to being a midwife I was a Registered Massage Therapist. I have 2 beautiful boys named, Oliver and Sacha.

Welcome Baby Ruby

Thank you so much for all your help.

We are saddened to think that soon we will not be seeing you regularly.

We are delighted with our new little human.

Here is a pic. at five days

John & Corrie & Ruby Tait Wilcox

Homebirth Story and Photos

Roman’s Birth
by Andrea

With a 42-week induction scheduled and looming, my partner and I were trying anything and everything to get labour going, but it seemed that our baby boy was very happy in utero. Or perhaps he works better with a deadline, like his parents do.

Either way, we put our best efforts into getting our boy out: spicy food, walks, intercourse (Dad’ll explain later why your allowance was so high, Roman), nipple stimulation, consuming a whole pineapple, foot massage, stretch and sweeps, intercourse, two rounds of acupuncture, chiropractic lumbar adjustments, talking to my belly, homeopathic remedies, intercourse, and finally when it came down to the day before my scheduled induction, castor oil.

At Manavi’s suggestion the castor oil was mixed with Orange Crush (we walked to a distant 7-11 the night before to get it) and I began pounding back these weird jelloshooter-like shots on September 12, at noon, one and two o’clock, checking in with Manavi throughout the day to let her know how things were progressing.

Or not progressing, it almost seemed. As a former Walkerton resident, who was part of the water tragedy in 2000, I thought maybe my ironclad intestines were going to prove impervious to the castor oil, but suddenly things began moving. And moving.

Another conversation with Manavi; she suggested one more dose of castor oil and intercourse and though I felt anything but sexy we gave that a try too. By evening, with lots of nipple stimulation I had actually begun to have some crampy early labour contractions!

At 10pm Mariam and Manavi came to our house to check on my progress. Manavi performed another stretch and sweep and I believe that’s when my labour really got going. I could feel the contractions start and taper off. I was so happy that my uterus was actually working!

At 2am Manavi suggested that we break my water. If the baby had passed meconium we would need to transport to St. Joe’s – a fact I was aware of and okay with despite our plans for a home birth. Our bags were packed and ready. We called our doula and she arrived shortly after.

Luckily, it appeared that Roman had not passed any meconium and we were able to continue our plans with the home delivery. I remember feeling really happy and thanking the baby for holding his bowels. And then labour started to become very intense.

I was in and out of the shower and trying different positions on the bed for a while. Manavi checked me after a few hours and found that my cervix had not dilated much beyond where it was when my water was broken. I remember feeling surprised and disappointed because I had been labouring for a while – I thought I would have been at 7 cm or more! Contractions were so strong and the sun was coming up and I didn’t know how much more I could handle.

Manavi decided we should do another stretch and sweep. I said okay, but that I needed my partner, Moris. He had been resting in the other room for a little while, at the suggestion of our doula and me.

With my amazing support team around me, I sat on the birthing stool and Manavi began to stretch my cervix through contractions. It was so intense, my legs were shaking uncontrollably and I began to find it hard to stay with my breathing. Finally, when she was finished I had another shower.

Contractions were coming along so strongly. Our doula, Geri, was a shoulder to lean on, literally. She stood by the edge of the tub getting soaked and helped me breath and moan through those last centimeters. I don’t know how long I was in there. Geri needed a break though and Moris was right there with his shoulder, encouraging me, helping me along. In between contractions Mariam monitored the baby’s heart rate with the doppler.

Finally, things had progressed enough in the shower that I was able to move into the bedroom and sit on the birthing stool as my cervix dilated the last little bit. Manavi helped push the last little bit of cervix over the baby’s head.

The sensations began to change and I actually felt my breath catch and a bit of an urge to push. Pushing was hard work, equally intense, but the change in sensation was wonderful for my brain. Something new to process. Our secondary midwife Houli showed up, and I pushed and pushed for what I’m told was an hour (time meant nothing at that point). Somewhere in that hour Manavi said that she thought I could get the baby out in ten pushes. I joked euphorically that we should try to do it in nine. I’m guessing it took more pushes than that. I was getting really tired at the end, and it was such hard work. Geri kept offering sips of water and Gatorade which helped a lot. Moris sat on the edge of the bed behind me and I held his hands, crunching his fingers with each contraction. Someone mentioned that my induction at St. Joe’s had been canceled.

When the baby’s head began to crown Manavi said I could reach down and touch it. I knew I was close, but I was just getting so tired. Houli and Manavi plucked my belly with their fingers to keep contractions coming strongly. Between contractions we saw the baby’s feet kicking from inside my belly. It was so incredible. He was trying to help too.

Everyone kept encouraging me, and telling me how strong I was. Manavi mentioned something about a racehorse getting to the end of a race and quitting – wouldn’t that be a shame? And I summoned every last bit of strength I had and pushed and pushed and pushed until the the baby’s head was actually out! Only a push or two more and the rest of his body was out!

“He’s huge!” I said. All of a sudden this big, slippery baby was pushed up on my chest. The midwives were wrapping my arms around him, making sure I held on tightly. He was still covered in vernix, which I thought surprising since I had been so far past my due date. I reached out and felt the umbilical cord; we really were attached. This was my big baby!

Then the cord was clamped and Moris got to cut through it.

I was up on the bed on my back and it was time to push out the placenta. Compared to pushing out such a big baby this was easy! The room was a flurry of activity and Moris stayed by my head. The baby was being monitored and tested and weighed (nine pounds, ten ounces, and 22 inches long!) and I was bleeding a little more than the midwives liked to see, so extra injections of oxytocin were given. Manavi also said that I should concentrate on not bleeding for a while, which I did; pretty soon the blood stopped flowing so much.

Then I got to nurse our baby; Houli popped him onto my nipple a few times and he latched on right away!

The energy in the room was so wonderful. I had just shared an amazing, life-changing experience with some very special people. I tried to tell them how much they all meant to me, how I couldn’t have done it without their expertise. I was so high on endorphins I don’t know if I made much sense, but I was really happy to have experienced the birth I had wanted and planned for, and proud for pushing out such a big baby.

Eventually the midwives had to go and they gave us a list of instructions and things to check for. Manavi said she had put the baby’s hat into our dog’s bed to familiarize our little pooch with the new pack member, which I felt was really thoughtful of her.

The room seemed very quiet when they left. Moris, Roman and I stayed in bed for hours and began bonding as a new family.

We want to share with you some photos... this is Mariana Gonzalez, she was born on August 4th... Lindsay and Maryam were with us.

Thank you for all your support.


Carlos Gonzalez y Paola Vidal.

Welcome baby Desmond

Baby Desmond Lucchese with happy new mom Emily

Baby Desmond with Midwife Houley Bah and midwifery student Feben

Meet Midwifery Student Cindy

Hello,

My name is Cindy Wye and I am in my fourth year of the Midwifery Education Program at Ryerson University. I will be completing my final clinical placement at Kensington Midwives from April 2007 to March 2008. I completed by Level I clinical placement at Womancare Midwives in London, Ontario and my Level II clinical placement at Midwife Alliance in Toronto, Ontario.

I have been practicing as an Occupational Therapist for 7 years – one year in psychiatry in a hospital setting and 6 years as a consultant in the private rehabilitation sector. I have found that Occupational Therapy and Midwifery have many shared philosophical values, most importantly, client-centred care and a holistic approach to practice.

I was drawn to Midwifery because I see pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood as very special experiences, ones wherein women can and should feel empowered. I believe strongly in the value of continuity of care and in a woman’s right to make informed choices. In my view, midwives are in a wonderful position to foster confidence and fulfillment for women throughout their birthing experiences, however or wherever they choose to give birth.

As a future midwife, I consider it a great privilege to be able to participate in such important and meaningful events, and am very grateful to the women and families who agree to share these experiences with me. I very much look forward to meeting you all.

Baby Photos!

Welcome baby Weston born April 23 2007, and older sister Stella

Kensington Midwives are on the front page!

http://www.thestar.com/Health/article/217456

Check out today's Health section of the Toronto Star for an article about midwives in Toronto. One of our clients (Thanks Dori!) and Midwife Manavi Handa were interviewed for this great article.

MAY 7th 2007- International Day of the Midwife

Please join us in celebrating International Day of the Midwife. We would love to hear your stories and testimonials about midwives or midwifery care. In honour of midwives and pregnant women around the globe, please try to spread the word about midwifery care. We encourage any pregnant woman to contact us by phone or email to learn more about our services. Kensington Midwives has openings for women due in all months except August, it is never too late to call.

Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Outcomes in Developed Countries

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has released a new evidence report on breastfeeding and health outcomes. The report found evidence that breastfeeding decreases infants' and mothers' risk of having many short-term and chronic diseases.

There is good evidence that breastfeeding reduced infants' risk of ear infections by up to 50 percent, serious lower respiratory tract infections by 72 percent, and a skin rash similar to eczema by 42 percent. Children with a family history of asthma who had been breastfed were 40 percent less likely to have asthma, and children who were not prone to asthma had a 27 percent reduced risk compared to those children who were not breastfed. The risk of developing type1 diabetes was reduced by about 20 percent. These benefits were seen in infants who were breastfed for three or more months. Breastfeeding also reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by 39 percent compared to those who were not breastfed.

The report also found that breastfeeding was associated with fewer episodes of diarrhea during infancy, decreased incidence of childhood leukemia, and decreased deaths from sudden infant death syndrome. The report found no clear relationship between breastfeeding and improvement in IQ. In premature infants, breastfeeding decreased the occurrence of necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious gastrointestinal infection that often results in death.

For health outcomes in mothers, there is good evidence that women who breastfed their infants had up to a 12 percent reduced risk of type 2 diabetes for each year they breastfed. Breastfeeding decreased the risk of ovarian cancer by up to 21 percent. Breastfeeding also decreased the risk of breast cancer by up to 28 percent in those whose lifetime duration of breastfeeding was 12 months or longer. Women who did not breastfeed their infants were more likely to have postpartum depression, but unmeasured factors—such as depression that was undiagnosed prior to giving birth—may have increased the rate of depression seen in this group. Breastfeeding did not increase the risk of fractures due to osteoporosis. The effect of breastfeeding on a woman's weight could not be determined based on the available studies.

The report was nominated and funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health and prepared by Stanley Ip, M.D., Joseph Lau, M.D., and colleagues at AHRQ's Tufts-New England Medical Center Evidence-based Practice Center in Boston, Massachusetts. AHRQ's EPCs develop evidence reports and technology assessments on topics relevant to clinical, social science/behavioral, economic, and other health care organization and delivery issues—specifically those that are common, expensive, and/or significant for the Medicare and Medicaid populations.

To access Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Outcomes in Developed Countries , go to: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/tp/brfouttp.htm.

More Baby photos

Vivien, born on Feb 17 2007 at home

Baby Photos!

Baby girl born Nov 8 2006




Jason Lloyd's first bath

Amanda

Meet Midwife Elaine Ho

Elaine Ho, B.A., B.H.Sc., R.M.

I could not have a midwife in North Bay when I was pregnant in 1994 with my first child -- the only midwife in town was full. Over the years that followed, I tried to find out more about this unique profession everywhere I lived – from Kenora to Kingston. I volunteered to help in clinics and at births; I attended conferences and workshops; and I helped start a local support/study group for aspiring midwives. I decided to give the world one more midwife by becoming one myself and eventually entered the Ontario Midwifery Education Programme. I became a registered midwife in 2005 upon completing my second university degree, a Bachelor of Health Science in Midwifery at Ryerson University, and joined Kensington Midwives that year.

I am the adoring mother of three children who most generously tolerate a mother who loves her work as a midwife almost as much as she loves them.

I am registered with the College of Midwives of Ontario and practice according to its standards. I maintain current CPR certification as well certification in emergency skills and certification in neonatal resuscitation protocols. I continue to further my clinical education on an ongoing basis by attending educational rounds, peer review, conferences and workshops. My spoken languages are English and Cantonese.

Elaine Ho

Birth Supply List- Home and Hospital

NO NUTS or NUT OILS AS MIDWIVES ARE ALLERGIC

HOMEBIRTH
o Place of birth is normally a bed or a mattress on the floor, but not a waterbed.
o Under pad (blue or green pads) one package. Found at large drug stores or at medical supply stores (Starkman’s, 1243 Bathurst St.)
o Making the bed. When labour begins make the bed using 1 plastic drop sheet from hardware store-9’x12’ cut in two (old shower curtain will do). Cover mattress with ½ of plastic sheet, cover sheet with fitted cloth sheet: cover a 2nd time with plastic, and a 2nd time with fitted cloth sheet.
o Blankets and lots of pillows
o 2 large garbage bags-1 for laundry, 1 for garbage
o Plastic or newspapers to protect the floor on the path to the bathroom
o 1 space heater-the room must be warm for the birth
o 8-10 wash cloths or an old towel cut into pieces-for perineal support
o 1 package of paper towels and a box of tissue or toilet paper, unopened.
o 1 hot water bottle or heating pad
o 1 unopened bottle of oil, can be olive or coconut (no nut oils)
o 1 kitchen pot with lid
o 2 large cookie sheets
o 1 flashlight
o 1 package newborn diapers, cloth or disposable
o 1 box maternity pads or overnight type maxi pads (not Always brand)
o 1 or 2 cotton knit hats for baby
o 10-12 receiving blankets
o At 36 weeks you will be given a binder with your homebirth paperwork.
o Homebirth medications will be discussed and given at homebirth home visit.
o Food and drinks for you and your midwives. Caffeinated drinks for midwives (tea, coffee)

HOSPITAL
(all clients should prepare a hospital bag)

o Carseat for baby-please ensure prior to birth that you know the proper use and installation.
o Outfit for mom. You will not fit into regular clothes yet. Bring your pregnancy clothes to wear home.
o Outfit for baby: this includes baby undershirt, 1 pair of socks, 2 receiving blankets, 1 larger heavier blanket, hat and sweater.
o Slippers or socks
o Flip flops for the shower
o Small unopened bottle of olive oil
o Toiletry bag
o Snacks for you and your family/money for buying snacks, an assortment of drinks, ie. Juice, gatorade, honey water, gingerale
o Extra pillows
o Hospital card and insurance information
o Kensington Midwives binder
o Flexible drinking straws

Recommended supplies for all clients
Watch with second hand
Digital thermometer in celcius for baby at home
Frozen peas
Lip ointment
50 mg tablets of gravol

Optional supplies for all clients
Homeopathic Arnica 200 ch
Bach Flower Rescue Remedy
Herbal bath-comfrey, lavender, calendula-
Menstrual pads (10-12) soaked in Witch Hazel, wrapped in cellophane and put in freezer
Camera
Lavender massage oil

Meet Midwife Lindsay MacDougall

Hi! My name is Lindsay MacDougall.

I joined Kensington Midwives as a New Registrant with the College of Midwives of Ontario in September 2006 after I completed my final year of clinical training with the Kensington Midwives in 2005-2006. I am thrilled to be a part of such a dynamic and diverse practice committed to providing exceptional midwifery care and working towards social justice in our downtown community. I graduated from the Midwifery Education Program at McMaster University in 2006 with a BHSc- Midwifery. My previous academic training was a BScH in Environmental Biology from Queen's University. I am from Montreal, so I speak English and French, although I have now lived across Ontario for many years. I am fortunate to have travelled abroad and have lived in B.C, Alberta, Quebec and New Brunswick. My previous work experience were primarily working in the woods of backcountry Canada on canoe trips with youth at-risk. My midwifery placements in Kingston, Owen Sound and Toronto has given me the realization that I have a passion for urban midwifery! Through these experiences I have developed a deep trust and amazement for the process of personal and physical transformation, particularly pregnancy, birth and parenting. I enjoy supporting women and their families through this process, and strive to promote the Ontario Midwifery philosophy of informed choice, continuity of care and choice of birthplace.
I look forward to working with you,

Lindsay MacDougall R.M.

Meet Midwife Kay Guruswami

My name is Kanmani Guruswami, most people call me "Kay". I am one of the midwives here at Kensington Midwives. I have been here since April 2000, when we first opened our doors as Access Midwives of Toronto. I received my formal training as a midwife from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario and was awarded a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery with honours. As a newly graduated midwife, in the fall of 1996, I moved to Toronto. I worked at the Midwives Collective of Toronto for four years. In the years before starting the Midwifery Education Program I worked as a doula and childbirth educator. I also attended homebirths with midwives in the Vancouver area. I spent time tree-planting, waitressing and travelling. In 1990, I completed a Bachelors of Biology at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.

My heritage includes a father that was born in Tamilnadu, India who came to Canada in 1965 to complete his Masters in Civil Engineering. My mother came to Canada in 1966 from Switzerland where she was born, she studied at McGill University and achieved a Ph.D. in Mathematics. I was born in Calgary, Alberta in 1967, and have two siblings. We grew up in Montreal and Ottawa, and regularly travelled as a family to India and Europe. I now live in the Kensington Market area. I am the mother to Zakary who was born on December 3rd, 2000. Zakary is the love of my life and the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Kay Guruswami R.M.

Meet Midwife Houley Bah R.M.

Hello my name is Houleymatou Bah.

I chose midwifery to be my life’s work because of the holistic nature of the approach, and the opportunity for the relationship building with women during this precious time of their lives. I graduated as a midwife in Algeria, North Africa in 1988. For the next 11 years I worked in a variety of healthcare settings, including home and hospital, in Guinea, West Africa. I speak both French and English, and I am the mother of two beautiful boys, 17 and 8 years old. I moved to Canada in 2000, and entered in 2003 the International Midwifery Pre-Registration Programme (IMPP) at Ryerson University of Toronto. At completion of the programme, I received the Kate Sorbara Award for being ‘Best Student”. I became a registered Midwife in Toronto in 2004 and worked in Kingston, and Kitchener-Waterloo. In 2006, I joined the Kensington Midwives in Toronto, and I am very happy to be a part of this practice where I look forward to sharing my experience with clients, and learning more from each birth, as I consider learning a lifetime continuous process.

Houley Bah

Register your baby

Here's the link for registering your baby before 30 days of age if you want to read about it online. It also makes it quicker to apply for a birth certificate and social insurance number.
https://www.orgforms.gov.on.ca/IBR/start.do?lang=en

Welcome Nayen, born Nov 5, 2006!

PHOTO GALLERY

Please email us photos of your pregnancy, birth or baby for us to post!

Welcome to Kensington Midwives!

Welcome everyone to our blog!

We're doing this to make sure new people know about us and past clients stay connected. So, feel free to send our link to a friend. Or just have her write or call us if she's pregant and needs care. You can write us now at kmw@kensingtonmidwives.ca

Each week we'll post some pre and postnatal care tips for parents so stay tuned.

Be well,
The Kensington Midwives