Winter 2012 - Association of Ontario Midwives

Association of Ontario Midwives Winter 2012: Vol. 5 No. 103New clinicshold grandopenings06The importanceof retainingprimary care07Grassrootscampaign inOrangeville08New onlinestore supportsmidwifery09Learning moreabout thepelvic floorMPP Liz Sandals supports midwiferyduring the election campaign atAssociation of Ontario MidwivesFamily Midwifery Care of Guelph

Welcome AOM News new AOM & UpdatesmembersWelcome new AOMmembers!Evelyn Asuncion, Stratford MidwivesErin Calder, Community Midwives of TorontoMarlys Corbiere, Midwifery Collective of EssexCountyAlexandra Dee-Bradley, Guelph MidwivesJennifer Deguire, Midwifery Services ofDurhamAlison Gorringe, Barrie MidwivesJo-Anne Hache, Leeds Grenville MidwivesSepideh Hashemitari, Midwife AllianceSarah Morgan, Midwives of York RegionJennifer Pawlett, Gentle BeginningsMidwifery/Sages-femmes premièrestendressesTamatha Roberts, Midwifery Group of OttawaCarys Ryan, Midwives Grey BruceNatalie Tregaskiss, Midwives Collective ofTorontoRebecca Waxman, The Hamilton MidwivesNzinga Wright, Midwives Collective ofToronto(As of December 9, 2011)Bridget Lynch is a 2012 Woman of DistinctionMidwife wins 2011YWCA Women ofDistinction AwardBridget Lynch, midwife with Community Midwives of Toronto andformer President of the International Confederation of Midwives,has been named a 2012 Woman of Distinction by the YWCAof Toronto. This prestigious award is given for an outstandingcontribution to improving the lives of girls and women.Congratulations to Bridget Lynch on this award!Alison Lavery, a midwife fromCambridge Midwives, was honouredby the YWCA’s Woman of DistinctionAward for lifetime achievement.The award was given to her in recognitionof her work founding CambridgeMidwives in 2000, and her efforts ingrowing the practice to 10 midwives.More than 4,000 babies have beencaught by the practice since it began.Alison has been instrumental inpromoting maternal and newbornhealth through midwifery in theCambridge region.Alison Lavery accepts her award.Congratulations to Alison on thisachievement!Spring Regional MeetingsTuesday, March 20, 2012 -North RegionWednesday, March 21, 2012 - SouthWest RegionThursday, March 22, 2012 - West RegionTuesday, March 27, 2012 - East RegionWednesday, March 28, 2012 - South EastThursday, March 29, 2012 - SouthCentralAll meetings take place between1:00pm-4:30pm.Regional Co-ordinators are:North – Shelley-Ann Clarke-Dolby(sa_clarke@laurentian.ca)West – Madeleine Clin(mclinrm@gmailcom)South Central – Tracy Franklin(tracyfranklin@sympatico.ca)South West – Kelly Gascoigne(kellygascoigne@yahoo.ca)East – Jane Somerville(somervij@kgh.kari.net)South East – Sara Stainton(sara@barriemidwives.com)For information on the Spring RegionalMeetings, contact projectassistant@aom.on.ca.BORN is comingAs of April 1, 2012, all Ontario midwives will input theirclinical client data into BORN (Better Outcomes RegistryNetwork), the new database that will be a repository for allprovincial perinatal data. BORN will replace OPSS (OntarioPerinatal Surveillance System) and will merge all the datathat was formerly collected through the Ontario MidwiferyProgram, as well as the Fetal Alert Network, PrenatalScreening Ontario, Niday and Newborn Screening Ontario.Part of BORN’s mission is to collect high-quality data that willsupport policy makers and health care planning, somethingthat Ontario midwives advocate for.The AOM has been working with stakeholders from theCollege of Midwives of Ontario as well as the MidwiferyEducation Program to provide input into the midwiferyspecificaspects of BORN. Stakeholders have identified ways inwhich BORN should address midwives’ data collection needs,as well as looking at the ways in which data will affect theprofession in years to come. Midwives and practice groupsshould be aware that, starting in January 2012, BORN willbe holding briefings and trainings for midwives to get themacquainted with the new interface and requirements. Formore information about BORN, please go to www.bornontario.ca.02 ontario midwife • Winter 2012

Four new practices to openCongratulations to four new practices. There are now 90midwifery clinics and satellite offices in Ontario.(1) Blue Heron Midwives30 Dupont Street EastWaterloo, ON N2J 2G9(519) 954-0300info@blueheronmidwives.comNicole Drysdale, Michelle Duff-McCracken, Ann Liebau(2) Midwives of Chatham-Kent104-111 Heritage DrChatham ON N7M 5W7(519) 358-1888ckmidwives@gmail.comTiffany Kyer, Alison Lally, Dawn Lambert, Isabelle Milot, EliNatvik(3) Ottawa South Midwives4110 Albion Road,Ottawa, ON K1T 3T8(613) 822-6646osmidwives@gmail.comClaudia Smith, Sarah Doyle, Sandra Gervais, Paula SalehiMoghaddam, Denise FullerVillage Midwifery CareA further practice will be coming soon to south-easternOntario. Amelia Drydyn and Genia Stephens have startedVillage Midwifery Care to serve Addington Highlands, Northand Central Frontenac and the Rideau Lakes area.Two clinic grand openingsWATERLOO (ABOVE): MPP Elizabeth Witmer (second from right) attended the opening of BlueHeron Midwives, with midwives Ann Liebau, Nikki Drysdale, Waterloo City Councillor MelissaDurrell, Michelle Duff-McCracken and Shirley Grove.ORILLIA (RIGHT): Mayor Angelo Orsi cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of OrilliaMidwives. Midwives Kelly Armstrong (left) and Jessica Taylor (right) hold the ribbon.Pwww.aom.on.ca03

TOP: Liberal MPP Dave Levac signs a pledge held by midwife KellyGascoigne at Community Midwives of Brantford.MIDDLE RIGHT: Candidates met supporters at a practice picnic forCambridge Midwives in September.BOTTOM LEFT: Supporters, candidates and midwives at CommunityMidwives of Brantford.MIDDLE LEFT: R-L Midwifery client Karyn Silzer, client Kelly RileyDunbavin, midwife Rhea Wilson, midwife Lucia D’Amore, and NDP candidatePeggy Russell at Burlingon and Area Midwives.

AOM NewsWomen speak out for midwives during provincial election campaignIn the fall of 2011, Ontario midwives andsupporters succeeded in putting maternaland newborn health issues on the agendaduring the provincial election. WhenMPPs took office in November, they wereall very much aware of the importance ofmidwives to the health of Ontario womenand their families.The sustainability of midwifery in Ontariobecame a key issue for women andfamilies, because of how highly theyvalue the work of midwives. Severalissues must be addressed to sustain andgrow the profession, including hospitalprivileges for midwives and pay equity.The issues resonated with both politiciansand voters, because midwifery in Ontarioresults in measurable savings to thehealth care system while providingexcellent outcomes for mothers andbabies.Issues affecting midwives are“motherhood issues” which are ofconcern to families across the province.They include:• Some hospitals prevent midwives frommaintaining primary care (see relatedstory, page 6).• Some hospitals restrict the number ofmidwives who can be granted privileges(see related story, page 7).• As an all-female profession caringfor women, midwives are significantlyunderpaid when compared to similarhealth care providers.• As a result of hospital barriers and payinequity, Ontario is in danger of losingOntario-trained midwives to jurisdictionswhere they are highly valued.• Because 4 out of 10 women seekingmidwifery care are unable to obtain it,Ontario needs to retain every Ontariotrainedmidwife to ensure every womanwho needs a midwife is able to accessTOP: Liberal MPP Liz Sandals (centre) with midwife Nadine Duhil-Enns (left) and Faye Stoter (right)BOTTOM: Supporters at the Barrie Midwives practice picnicmidwifery care.During the election, Premier DaltonMcGuinty sent a letter to the Associationof Ontario Midwives stating, “Webelieve that midwives should be fairlycompensated for the important work theydo. We support recognizing midwivesand their compensation relative to otherhealth care professionals.”Toward the end of September, severalpractices invited candidates to theirclinics. Candidates who participated wereable to meet clients and midwives, as wellas sign a pledge indicating they supportedOntario Midwives. Candidates seemed toreally enjoy the visits, and of course theycould not resist kissing a few babies forthe cameras!Liberals support piloting birth centresThe ongoing campaign for birth centres also gained tractionduring the provincial election period. A commitment topiloting birth centres in Ontario was made by the Liberals.Dalton McGuinty wrote in a letter to the AOM, “We supportpiloting birth centres in Ontario and are open to exploringthe possibilities for this model.” The AOM’s Birth CentresWork Group has now reconvened and is developing a postelectionstrategy to ensure this commitment to birth centressecures funding in the next provincial budget.www.aom.on.ca05

Key maternity care issuesMidwives successfully advocate for maintaining primary careReducing unnecessary transfers of careduring pregnancy, labour and deliveryis better for women and babies, both interms of their experiences and in termsof outcomes. Though midwives haveprivileges at the majority of Ontariohospitals with birth units, depending onthe circumstances, they are not always ableto maintain primary care for their clients.With approximately 80% of midwiferyclients giving birth in the hospital, morethan 10,000 women a year would benefitfrom having midwives perform their roleto the utmost of their training and remainthe primary care giver as defined by theircollege scope of practice to provide truecontinuity of care.Midwives in Kingston have recentlyexperienced some positive movementforward in their hospital with regard toreducing medically unnecessary transfersof care.Leadership at Kingston General Hospitalhas been focusing on increasinginterprofessional care and recognizing thebenefit of allowing all staff to work to thefullest extent of their scope. And this haspositively affected midwifery care, saysJane Somerville of Community Midwives ofKingston, who serves as the hospital’s headmidwife and chair of the AOM HospitalIntegration Committee.Some recent changes in how midwivespractice at the hospital include endingthe requirement to transfer care whenmeconium is present and the requirementthat VBAC clients consult with anobstetrician. Both of these were hospitalbasedpolicies that are not required by theCollege of Midwives of Ontario Indicationsfor Mandatory Discussion, Consultationand Transfer of Care.Just these two changes alone have reducedthe number of unnecessary transfers ofcare midwives provide to women andimproved the quality of care they received.For example, removing the VBAC consulthas helped streamline care and eliminateduplication for clients, Somerville says.“For individual women, that meant anextra trip to the hospital clinic, additionaltime on their part, parking costs andfeedback from clients was – why did IReducing transfers of care makes a difference to thequality of care women receive.have to do that? The doctor didn’t sayanything the midwife hadn’t already said,”she explains. “Now women can continue toreceive care from their midwife.”“Previously, women who had meconiumhad to transfer care to an OB at theeleventh hour, but ultimately nothing wasdifferent. It was a disappointment for thewomen to lose midwives as primary careproviders.”Somerville credits the new-found focuson interprofessional collaboration at themanagement level for some of the positivechanges in terms reducing unnecessarytransfers by allowing midwives to work totheir full scope. The hospital has made aconcerted effort to educate departmentsabout the roles of different practitioners,and this has improved relationships. Thehospital continues to look for ways toincrease collaboration and improve care.Although communicating andunderstanding one another’s role “mayseem basic,” Somerville says, “It’s animportant part of change.’”2011 survey confirmsmidwives’ experiencesIn early 2011, the Ontario MidwiferyProgram conducted a survey ofmidwifery practices about hospitalintegration.One finding of the survey was thathospital privileging continues tobe an issue for midwives in theprovince. Of the hospitals wheremidwives have privileges, 23%limited the number of midwivesgranted privileges and 11% limit thenumber of midwife-attended births.The denial of privileges and thecapping of births was an importantfactor preventing practices fromgrowing, stated 36% practices.Just under one-third of all hospitalseither have or plan to start aMidwifery Integration Committee.If barriers to hospital integrationare not addressed, they threatento slow the growth of midwifery.At present, 4 out of 10 womenwho want a midwife cannot getone. It is important to ensure thatintegration into hospitals can beaccomplished as seamlessly aspossible, so that midwifery canexpand to meet the demand forcare.“We’re disheartened to see thatthings really haven’t changed allthat much,” says Katrina Kilroy,AOM President. “We need concertedaction from the Ministry andfrom leadership within Ontariohospitals.”OHA manualIn September 2010, the OntarioHospital Association launched theResource Manual for SustainingQuality Midwifery Services inHospitals (bit.ly/OHA_manual). Itstates that “allowing midwives towork to their full scope of practiceand maintain care of clients reducesclinically unnecessary transfersof care and has implications forthe quality of client care within ahospital.” The manual is intendedto provide guidance to hospitalson best practices for integration ofmidwives.06 Ontario midwife • Winter 2012

Consumers in Orangeville create grassroots campaign to improve accessWomen took to the streets of Orangevilleon November 12 to encourage theirhospital to grant privileges for all themidwives who work in the local practice,Midwives of Headwater Hills. More than60 people walked more than 2.5 kilometresfrom the Midwives of Headwater Hillsoffice to Headwaters Health Care Centre,pushing strollers and carrying signs thatread “Honk for Midwives” and “MidwifeCrisis.”The march was organized by Where’s MyMidwife?, a grassroots group made up localback downtown after the Novembermarch.Where’s My Midwife? loves and supportsmidwives, but doesn’t work for them,explains Radonicich. “We’re abouteducation and advocacy; explaining topeople who midwives are and advocatingfor access to them. It’s really aboutmothers and babies and access to the carethat they deserve.”Orangeville midwife Linda Stahl callsmembers of Where’s My Midwife?“heroes” for taking over this kind ofTring Stephen says she was surprisedand upset when she learned about thesituation during her first appointmentwith her midwife. “There were some tears.I wasn’t sure what to do. My first instinctwas to run because I wanted the benefit ofa hospital, but with a midwife,” she says.In spite of the anxiety the situation causedher, Tring Stephen didn’t abandon theidea of a midwife-assisted birth. Instead,she joined Where’s My Midwife? andvolunteered her writing, editing, posterdesign and social media skills to theLEFT: Orangeville families gather to begin a “Where’s My Midwife?” march in November. RIGHT: Supporters also raised awareness by painting their cars with the slogan.people who wanted to raise awarenessof hospital integration issues and toadvocate for greater access to midwiferycare in Orangeville. The group was foundedby birth activist Maria Radonicich, whorecently moved to the area from NorthCarolina where she had two midwifeattendedbirths and was actively involvedin a Where’s My Midwife? group in theUnited States.Radonicich describes how, in Orangeville,“the amount of community support forthis group of midwives and for midwiferycare, in general, is enormous.” Where’sMy Midwife? came together at the endof September 2011, and its membershad no difficulty attracting enthusiasticparticipants to two car painting events(where supporters lined up to haveWhere’s My Midwife?” written on theirwindshields) and the recent march.Local businesses have gotten behind thecampaign, as well. Their donations paid fora shuttle bus that transported marchersadvocacy work . She says feeling the“incredible level of love and consistentcommitment” of the community has beenan emotional experience for the Midwivesof Headwater Hills. “These are people whoare turning out in November with strollersto walk with us to the hospital to showtheir support.”Many of the people who’ve gotten involvedare Orangeville consumers who arefrustrated that they can’t give birth in theircommunity hospital. “I have clients wholive literally in view of the [Orangeville]hospital who are multips, possibly going tohave short labours, who have to drive 30minutes to a different hospital,” says Stahl.Amanda Tring Stephen is an Orangevilleresident who is expecting her first childin December. She would love to have herbaby at Headwaters Health Care Centre,but instead, she will have to drive with hermidwife to Groves Memorial CommunityHospital in Fergus when she goes intolabour.campaign. She doesn’t have a history ofactivism, but says she got involved because“I felt so strongly about it and didn’t likemy choice being taken away from me.”Where’s My Midwife? is committed toensuring that all the local midwives haveprivileges in the Orangeville hospital.When they’ve achieved this goal,Radonicich says the group would like tohelp people in other communities advocatefor greater access to midwives. Consumerswho would like to form their own groupscan contact Where’s My Midwife? for ideasand support.“Where’s My Midwife? puts a fire underpeople,” says Radonicich. “We’re excited tokeep it moving and help increase access tomidwifery care.”For more information about Where’s MyMidwife? Visit www.wheresmymidwife.org or visit the Orangeville group’sFacebook page at www.facebook.com/WMM.ONwww.aom.on.ca07

News and resourcesComing soon topractices in OntarioThe AOM has created apostcard to encourage clientsto follow Ontario Midwiveson social media. Our Facebookpage has about 1,500 usersand over 1,000 people followus on Twitter. Social media hasbeen invaluable in mobilizingsupport during the provincialelection and the birth centrescampaign.Support midwifery!Visit Ontario Midwives’ new CafePress online store, where you can buy giftsthat support our work to grow midwifery! The store features clothing in adultand children’s sizes, as well as gifts like mugs, bags, water bottles and bumperstickers. Perfect for supporters, clients, or that special midwife in your life.Visit the site at www.cafepress.ca/ontariomidwives.$33.50$38Practices will be sent postcardsearly in 2012 for distributionto clients. Please encourage allyour clients, past and present,who support midwifery, toconnect with us through socialmedia.$38facebook.com/OntarioMidwivestwitter.com/OntarioMidwives$21.50$13 $21.50youtube.com/OntarioMidwivesHUB provides specialbenefits to midwivesHUB provides a number of benefitsto members, including a 10%discounton homeand carinsurance.Packageswhichcombinedifferentpolicies are eligible for furtherdiscounts. Some types of carinsurance offer options whichmean premiums don’t go up aftera claim. For quotations, call 1-877-558-3091.$18$15.50$15.50$18$14.508 ontario midwife • Winter 2012

Professional developmentMidwives enhance skills at workshop on the pelvic floorRegistered midwives and midwiferystudents had a unique opportunity toenhance their clinical skills by learningfrom other health professionals duringprofessional development day organizedby the AOM. More than 30 midwivesgathered in Hamilton in December tohear an obstetrician-gynecologist and aphysiotherapist share their expertise onthe subject of the pelvic floor.The day began with a review of theanatomy and physiology of the pelvicfloor given by Dr. Stephen Bates, aclinical professor in the department ofObstetrics and Gynecology at McMasterUniversity. During this interactivepresentation, midwives used hand-helddevices to predict the answers to a seriesof questions related to the assessmentand repair of obstetrical lacerations.Dr. Bates is an obstetrician-gynecologistwho has worked closely with midwivesfor almost his whole career. Hecurrently works with registered andaboriginal midwives at the BrantfordGeneral Hospital. The highlights ofhis presentation included techniquesfor suturing first and second degreelacerations, methods for recognizingthird and fourth degree tears, andstrategies for managing severelacerations until they can be sutured byan OB.Following Dr. Bates’ presentation, themidwives broke into small groups topractice suturing techniques on cowtongues, which have layers of musclethat are similar to those found on thepelvic floor. The midwives practicedloading and driving needles, runningstitches, and tying knots with one hand.At one table, a group of left-handedmidwives discovered new ways tosuture.According to Dr. Bates, it takes manyyears to master the art of suturing.“Even at this point in my career, I’m stilllearning new techniques,” he says.Cambride midwife Melanie Laverssays the workshop helped improveher assessment and suturing skills.“Sometimes we debate about whether itis a third-degree tear,” says Lavers, whoappreciated Dr Bates’ practical advicefor determining the severity of a tear.She also welcomed the opportunity toTOP: Midwives practice their suturing during the workshopBOTTOM LEFT: Physiotherapist Caroline Allen BOTTOM RIGHT: Dr Stephen Bates.practice her sutures.Tanja Bos, who worked as a midwife inEngland for two years before enteringthe bridging program for internationallyeducatedmidwives at RyersonUniversity, picked up a helpful tip forimproving her sutures. She says she usedto tie knots with an instrument, butlearned new techniques for performinghand-tying during the workshop.During the second half of the day,midwives heard from other experts.Anna Meuser, the knowledge translationresearch specialist at the AOM, updatedparticipants on the latest researchrelated to mode of delivery and pelvicfloor function. While the amount ofevidence on this topic is limited, Meusersaid “a lot of exciting midwifery-relatedresearch is currently underway.”Midwives also gained new insights fromOttawa physiotherapist Caroline Allen,who works at the only physiotherapyclinic in Ontario that focuses solelyon pelvic floor dysfunction. Allen ispassionate about the need for increasedpelvic floor awareness and educationand told the audience that “urinaryincontinence should not be acceptedor expected.” She outlined factors thatcontribute to pelvic floor weakness anddiscussed kegel exercises and othertechniques for alleviating incontinence.Allen welcomed the interprofessionalcollaboration that the education dayoffered. “We all work in our own littleniches and we need these opportunitiesto share information and learn fromeach other,” she says. The AOM will hosta second Pelvic Floor day for midwiveson March 9, 2012, in North York. Foradditional enquiries, contactcpcoordinator@aom.on.ca.www.aom.on.ca09

Clinical and Professional DevelopmentEventsPutting the Evidence into Practice: AMidwife-Led, Evidence Based Approach toReducing the C-Section Rate in OntarioThis workshop will walk participantsthrough the latest research surroundingc-section and explore issues involvingVBAC, community standards, clinicalpractice and ethics. Through facilitateddiscussion and an interactive knowledgetranslation workshop, participants willlearn how to directly integrate thisresearch into their practice.Date: January 20, 2012Time: 9:00 am-4:30 pmLocation: Ottawa, ONThe AOM Midwifery Practice Guide:Putting the “Guide” into PracticeThe AOM Midwifery PracticeManagement Guide has been developedby the AOM to inform and educatenew midwives, midwives planning newpractices, and current practitionersabout the business realities of runninga midwifery practice in Ontario. This interactiveand hands-on workshop will usethe guide along with practical exercises,case scenarios and demonstrations tohelp midwives gain a more in-depthunderstanding of how to effectively run apractice.Date: February 10, 2012Time: 8:30 am-5:00 pmLocation: Peterborough, ONThe Pelvic Floor: State of the Evidence andPractical ConsiderationsThis day will take an evidence-basedapproach in considering the influences ofthe perinatal lifecycle and ongoing pelvicfloor function. In-depth discussion aboutthe state of the research will be balancedwith hands-on skill building workshopsincluding a Pilates Workshop. Dresscomfortably for this informative andfun event! Please bring your own sutureinstruments and yoga mat. For moreinformation on this session, please seestory on page 9.Date: March 9, 2012Time: 9:00 am-4:30 pm (lunch included)Location: North York (venue TBA)WebinarsMidwives can attend these 1-hourwebinar/teleconference sessions live, orcan access them on our website at a laterdate.Healthy Practice CultureSpeaker: Chantal Thorn; Director ofOrganizational Development, EmployeeHealth Services and Patient Relations atGuelph General Hospital, PhD ConsultingDate: January 18, 2012Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pmAssessing the risk: Benefit-ratio formothers requiring medication whilelactatingSpeaker: Myla Moretti, Assistant Director,MotheriskDate: January 25, 2012Time: 12:00 pm-1:00 pmFindings from the AOM’s “Managementof Prelabour Rupture of Membranes atTerm” Clinical Practice GuidelineSpeaker: K. Saurette RM, Author PROMCPG; T. MacDonald RM, MHSc, Director ofClinical Practice Guidelines, Association ofOntario Midwives, Author PROM CPGDate: March 21, 2012Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pmPlacental PathologiesSpeaker: John Kingdom; MD, FRCSC (Ob/Gyn & MFM), MRCP, FRCOG, Professorof Obstetrics & Gynecology, MedicalImaging & PathologyDate: TBATime: 12:00 pm-1:00 pmCheck the website for more details andregistration information. Dates, presentersand sessions subject to change.For additional enquiries, contactcpcoordinator@aom.on.ca or call 1-866-418-3773 or 416-425-9974 x:2244.Conferences of Interest - more at www.aom.on.ca “Professional Development”Nurturing Matters: Investing in Population Health Approachesto Support Parenting and Infant Development with Peel PublicHealthFebruary 22-23, 2012 in Brampton, ON at the PearsonConvention Centrepeelregion.ca/health/nurturing/conference.htmBest Start Resource Centre Annual ConferenceFebruary 28-March 1, 2012 in Toronto, ON at the Toronto/Markham Conference Centrewww.beststart.org/events/upcoming.htmlOttawa Valley Lactation Consultants 16th Annual BreastfeedingConferenceApril 19-20, 2012 in Ottawa, ON at the National Arts Centreconference.ovlc.netThe Association of Ontario Midwives AGM and ConferenceStrength in Numbers: Supporting the Growth of MidwiferyMay 14-17, 2012 in Toronto, ON at the Westin Princeaom.on.ca/Continuing_Education/AOM_Annual_Conference/Includes Emergency Skills Instructor Workshop, May 14-15 atthe Westin Prince. To register: www.aom.on.ca/Continuing_Education/Emergency_Skills_Workshop/Motherisk Update 2012: Treating depression, schizophreniaand addiction during pregnancy and lactationMay 23, 2012 in Toronto, ON at SickKids Hospital.motherisk.org/prof/event_motheriskUpdate.jspAmerican College of Nurse Midwives Annual MeetingJune 2-7, 2012 in Long Beach, Californiawww.midwife.org or mgarvey@acnm.org10 ontario midwife • Winter 2012

Clinical practice guidelines updateCPG 14: Vaginal birth after previous low-segment caesareansectionThe AOM’s latest CPG has been completed and is now availableonline at bit.ly/vbac_cpg or aom.on.ca under the Health CareProfessionals tab. It replaces CPG #5.Mobile appsDo you use iPhone or BlackBerry apps to help you providecare to your clients? The AOM CPG program is interestedin your input and advice on ways smartphone applicationscould enhance your use of research evidence. We’re hoping toorganize a focus group discussion early in 2012. If you’re interestingin participating, email cpgmanager@aom.on.ca.Conferences and presentationsTasha MacDonald (Director of Clinical Practice Guidelines) andAnna Meuser (Knowledge Translation and Research Specialist)presented “Interpreting evidence to support normal birth:the CPG development program at the AOM” at the RegisteredNurses’ Association of Ontario’s Excellent Care for All: EvidenceBased Practice and Quality Improvement Conference in October2011. The presentation, which explored how midwifery valuesshape the CPG program’s use of research evidence, provided avaluable opportunity to share information about the philosophyand structure of midwifery care with nursing colleagues.Upcoming CPG Work GroupsBeginning in Spring 2012, the CPG program will begin work onManagement of Meconium. The program relies on member-ledCPG Work Groups to manage the development of each CPG overa 12-24 month period. Interested in participating or learningmore? Please email cpgmanager@aom.on.ca.Emergency Skills WorkshopsThe Association of Ontario Midwivesreminds members that all registeredmidwives in Ontario are required torecertify in emergency skills every twoyears in order to maintain their registrationwith the College of Midwives ofOntario.The AOM is pleased to offer the followingcourses. Register early because participationis limited and sessions sell out.February 3, 2012 – KitchenerRadisson Kitchener Waterloo, HeidelbergRoom, 2960 King Street EastAM Session 8:30am - 12.30pmPM Session 1:30pm - 5:00 pmMarch 2, 2012 – Thunder BayValhalla Inn, Viking Room, 1 Valhalla InnRoadAM Session 8:30am - 12.30pmPM Session 1:30pm - 5:00 pmMay 4, 2012 – TorontoAssociation of Ontario Midwives, 365Bloor Street East, Suite 301AM Session 8:30am - 12.30pmPM Session 1:30pm - 5:00 pmMay 15, 2012 – Toronto (AOMConference)Westin Prince, 900 York Mills RoadAM Session 8:30am - 12.30pmPM Session 1:30pm - 5:00 pmAugust 24, 2012 – HamiltonCrowne Plaza Hamilton, Pavillion BC, 150King St EastAM Session 8:30am - 12.30pmPM Session 1:30pm - 5:00 pmSeptember 7, 2012 – MarkhamHoliday Inn & Suites Markham, EllesmereRoom, 7095 Woodbine Ave.AM Session 8:30am - 12.30pmPM Session 1:30pm - 5:00 pmSeptember 14, 2012 – OttawaTravelodge Ottawa Hotel & ConferenceCentre, Greenery Room, 1376 CarlingAvenueAM Session 8:30am - 12.30pmPM Session 1:30pm - 5:00 pmNovember 16, 2012 – TorontoAssociation of Ontario Midwives, 365Bloor St E, Suite 300AM Session 8:30am - 12.30pmPM Session 1:30pm - 5:00 pmFees:AOM Member: $325ESW Workbook: $45To register for any of these sessions, visitwww.aom.on.ca to register online, or printthe registration form from the websiteand mail or fax it back to the addressprovided.If you require any additional information,contact events@aom.on.ca or (416)425-9974 x: 2255 or 1-866-418-3773.Ontario Midwife is published three times a year by the Association of Ontario Midwives. This publicationis available online at www.aom.on.ca, or you may request a printed copy. All websites listedare “hotlinked” in the digital copy. Scroll over the website address and click to launch the site.We welcome all feedback. Please contact comms@aom.on.ca, or by phone: 416-425-9974 x2261or 866-418-3773 x2261.Association of Ontario MidwivesAssociation of Ontario Midwives, 365 Bloor St. E., Suite 301, Toronto, ON M4W 3L4

Strength in numbers:Supporting the growth of midwiferyThe Association of Ontario Midwives28th Annual General Meeting and ConferenceKeynote speaker: Maureen McTeerMaureen McTeer is a respected Canadian lawyer, author and leading health advocate.She is the Canadian representative for the International White Ribbon Alliance for SafeMotherhood, a global movement to ensure pregnancy and childbirth are safe for womenand children around the world.special event featuring bridget lynchBridget Lynch will accept a YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction Award on May 16,2012, for her work as an advocate for maternal and newborn health locally and globally.Midwives can purchase tickets for the fundraiser from YWCA Toronto. Transport will becoordinated from the conference by the AOM.May 14-17, 2012The Westin Prince Hotel, Toronto