Old South Maternity Care
190 Wortley Rd Suite 208 N6C 4Y7 London, ON, Canada

Want to know more about the stages of labour and what the body goes through? Check out this neat illustration video breaking it all down. https://youtu.be/w0iDfcAYZWc

Good news for pregnant and breast feeding women who would like to be vaccinated against Covid! https://www.cbc.ca//ontario-covid-vaccine-change-for-pregn

Happy New Year! Expecting a baby this year? There’s a chance you may require an induction of labour. There are many reasons as to why you may need an induction, but here you can read about what to expect and how to prepare. http://www.pie.med.utoronto.ca/tvasurg/pe/iol/index.html

This just in! The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) has released a statement on the COVID-19 vaccine for breastfeeding and pregnant women. Make sure you discuss this with your provider to help make your informed decision when the vaccine becomes widely available. https://sogc.org//SOCG_Statement_COVID-19_Vaccination_in_P

With Canada’s first Covid-19 vaccine campaign starting this week, it’s time to consider how (and if) this will affect pregnant and breastfeeding women. There have been no studies done on the vaccine’s safety in pregnant and breastfeeding women, yet there are so many women who are working on the front lines and/or at high risk for complications of COVID 19 infection. Should they be denied the vaccine? Read on to consider what we know so far.

Many people wonder what foods are safe in pregnancy. Here is some information from Health Canada. It is a good overview. Speak to us if you have specific questions, as the risk of harm varies depending on the food. https://www.canada.ca//foo/food-safety-pregnant-women.html

Breastfeeding is hard! Women face lots of pressure to breastfeed their baby and are constantly told 'Breast is best.' This can create a lot of stress. We try to help support mothers reach their feeding goals for the baby. We do encourage breastfeeding, but there are lots of reasons why some women choose not to breastfeed or are not able to do it exclusively or at all. If you are struggling with breastfeeding and are hoping on continuing, the Middlesex Health Unit Lactation consultants are free and are a great resource. But remember , the most important thing is that babies are fed and are growing, and that can come from breast milk and formula. https://www.healthunit.com/breastfeeding

We are thrilled to be able to share with you information regarding a new online postpartum depression and anxiety support group.

Most people know there is a recommended amount of exercise most adults should get in a week. But did you know it is recommended to get 150 mins of moderate intensity during pregnancy as well? Exercise has a number of benefits for the pregnant person. Check out these links for more information https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/290217 https://www.pregnancyinfo.ca//h/exercise-during-pregnancy/

Time to get those flu shots! Flu shots are safe and encouraged during your pregnancy. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/qa_vacpregnant.htm

Time to get those flu shots! Flu shots are safe and encouraged during your pregnancy. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/qa_vacpregnant.htm

Happy Thanksgiving! We’re thankful to all of our patients and their families for having us involved in the birth of their little pumpkins.

Pregnancy can be a wonderful but also anxiety provoking stressful time. Unfortunately COVID is increasing those feelings for many. This is a nice article about pregnancy and your mental health during COVID. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com//covid-19-pregnancy-and-m

Umbilical hernias are common in newborn babies, but pregnant women can get them, too! Read on if you think this is happening to you.

Worried about what you need to be thinking about after you have a baby? Check out these great resources for support for breast feeding and the post partum period for reliable answers to those questions. Don't forget to talk to your doctor about your individual situation and any specific concerns you may have. https://www.healthunit.com/breastfeeding-home-visits https://www.pregnancyinfo.ca//postpartum-health-care-and-/... https://www.pregnancyinfo.ca/resources/postpartum/

We get lots of questions about the best positions to sleep in. This article is a pretty good overview. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326534

Ever been told to pump and dump? Not necessary! Breast milk continues to contain alcohol as long as alcohol is still in the mother’s bloodstream. While not drinking alcohol is the safest option for breastfeeding mothers, moderate alcohol consumption (up to 1 standard drink/day) is not known to be harmful to infants. https://www.cdc.gov//vaccinations-medications/alcohol.html

Heading back to school this September? This short video by Dr. Eli Shore from the @PandemicPregnancyGuide on IG nicely summarizes current recommendations for pregnant education workers. https://www.instagram.com/tv/CEcA_0Qg0lp/

Ever been told to pump and dump? Not necessary! Breast milk continues to contain alcohol as long as alcohol is still in the mother’s bloodstream. While not drinking alcohol is the safest option for breastfeeding mothers, moderate alcohol consumption (up to 1 standard drink/day) is not known to be harmful to infants. https://www.cdc.gov//vaccinations-medications/alcohol.html

Have you been swimming in the pool or lake this summer? Swimming is a great form of exercise in pregnancy. If you've enjoyed it over the summer and want to continue, or want to give it a try, the City of London has 2 indoor pools open. See the link below for information on how to sign up for a time. https://www.healthline.com/he/pregnancy/pregnancy-swimming http://www.london.ca//Aqua/Pages/Aquatics-Summer-2020.aspx

We often get questions about what to needs to go in a hospital bag for labour and delivery. Here is a downloadable list that includes some of the basics: https://www.pregnancyinfo.ca//preparing-for-/what-to-pack/ At LHSC during the COVID-19 pandemic everything needs to be brought into the birthing suite with you at the time of admission, including the car seat for the ride home!

Check out this free prenatal health e-learning program through the health unit! https://www.healthunit.com/prenatal-health-e-learning

Many women have Diastasis Recti during or after their pregnancy. See this article for some basic information. To help manage it, talk to us or book in to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist. https://www.parents.com//diastasis-recti-the-postpartum-b/

Wondering what exactly goes on during a c-section? Check out this neat new video animation that will walk you through the anatomy and risks of a planned or not so planned c-section. http://pie.med.utoronto.ca/TVASurg/PE/c-section/

Looking for reliable, evidence-based general information regarding conception, pregnancy, labour and delivery? Check out our website: http://www.oldsouthmaternity.ca/resources.html for some suggestions! Another good resource is the SOGC's (The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist College of Canada) Pregnancy Info site https://www.pregnancyinfo.ca/your-pregnancy/ Of course these websites only offer general information. You should always discuss your concerns with your physician who can provide you with the best information specific to your health and pregnancy.

Everyone wishes for a baby who sleeps well. But what if there was something you could do to help make this happen? Maybe ditching a marijuana habit! This study shows evidence that babies whose mothers used marijuana in pregnancy had significantly more sleep issues compared to controls. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releas/2020//200702153700.htm

Still stressed about COVID-19? While the pandemic is by no means over, here is some good news. Even if you catch COVID-19 while pregnant, the risk of transmitting the infection to your baby is really low. Continue to reduce your risk of infection by physical distancing, wearing masks when distancing is not possible, and using frequent and thorough hand washing! https://www.sciencedaily.com/releas/2020//200615140859.htm

We often get questions from patients about working in pregnancy. See this link below for some great basic info. Talk to your health care provider if there are specific risks to your particular job. Recommendations may change should you have a higher risk pregnancy. https://www.pregnancyinfo.ca//PDF_workingduringpregnancy_E