Kitchener Waterloo Midwifery Associates
900 King St W Suite 8 N2G1G5 Kitchener, ON, Canada

Ontario 211 is a great resource to find holiday help. Holiday hampers and toy donation programs are still going ahead where possible across Ontario. Call 2-1-1 to see what community programs are running in your area. #HelpStartsHere https://211ontario.ca/

Happy Saturday!

Iron plays many important roles in your health. You need iron to make hemoglobin, a part of red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. When you have iron deficiency anemia, you don’t have enough iron to make hemoglobin, so your body starts to make smaller and fewer red blood cells. Less hemoglobin and fewer red blood cells also means your cells can’t get the oxygen they need. Normal changes to blood volume during pregnancy make it more likely for you to bec...ome anemic. Your midwife will offer blood tests when you are pregnant to check your levels of hemoglobin. If you have low iron, she may recommend an iron supplement (AOM, 2020) For more information go to https://www.ontariomidwives.ca//Iron%20deficiency%20anemia

How do you become registered as a midwife? Midwives in Canada have graduated from rigorous university midwifery education programs. They are neither doctors or nurses. Your midwives at KWMA have graduated from one of two programs: The Midwifery Education Program (MEP), offered at Laurentian, McMaster and Ryerson universities, a four-year degree program that awards graduates a Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) degree in midwifery.... The International Midwifery Pre-registration Program (IMPP), offered through Ryerson University, a bridging program that prepares experienced, internationally educated midwives to practice in Ontario. Additionally, Ontario midwives are required to take part in professional development and keep their CPR, neonatal resuscitation (NRP) and emergency skills (ESW) certifications up to date.

Learn what you need to know BEFORE the baby comes.Join us online for our FREE virtual breastfeeding class and discover How to prepare to nurse your baby (ev...en if it's not your first time). What to expect the first few days after birth. How to find a comfy breastfeeding position and get a good latch. The importance of Skin to Skin and Hand Expression Answers to YOUR breastfeeding questions. Where to find the help, tools and information you need to reach #yourbreastfeedinggoals. To register, visit us online at www.breastfeedingbuddies.com

The Holliday season is often one of joy and excitement. This year may be different, especially for those who have lost a pregnancy or a child. We see you at this time to. You don’t have to go through this season alone. Please reach out for support.

There is some debate as to when babies begin to intentionally smile. When did your baby first smile back at you?

To participate in this study visit: https://rsjh.ca/redcap/surveys/?s=RYL3ARPX79 before February 28, 2021. Midwifery Infant Feeding Information Survey

Can you get an epidural if you have a midwife? Yes! You can choose whether or not you want to have an epidural during labour. If you want an epidural you will need to plan a hospital birth so your midwife can consult with an anesthetist who will insert the epidural. The main benefit of an epidural is that it can provide excellent pain relief during your labour. Risks of epidurals include:... Headache Itchy skin Nausea Infection A drop in blood pressure that can lower the baby’s heart rate (usually this is resolved with medication) (NHS, 2020) You may not want or need an epidural. Your midwife is there to help you make informed choices through your labour.