Lincoln Community Midwives
5000 King St, Box 29 L0R 1B0 Beamsville, ON, Canada

We have exciting news we are aunties again. And this one is another cutie . Welcome Miss Lucy congratulations to her parents Laina and Lucas. A great way to end 2020 !

This is a wonderful piece that not only gives a glimpse into the life of a midwife but also explains why it is frustrating that we are not given any pandemic support despite being frontline workers. Thanks Matt Galloway for this piece CBC Radio: The Current @FordNation Sam Oosterhoff it’s time .... recognize us for the work we do and the extra efforts we put into keeping our clients safe. ... https://www.cbc.ca//thecurrent/the-current-for-dec-17-2020

A little fall round up from LCM we welcomed a total of 54 babies from September to November, with September being our busiest month this calendar year (23 babies born!). Did you welcome a 2020 Fall baby? We would love to see some sweet pictures #midwiveshelpedmeout . . #LCM #ontariomidwives #birthstats

Believe us when we say that the feeling is mutual. We love caring for you and your babies #Repost @thekidsmenu.ca with @get_repost Here’s to the real MVP... Aka my government funded birth partner my midwife I haven’t had a good cry in a while, but woe is me tears streaming under my mask air hugs, saying goodbye to my midwife this morning. Conveniently, right before taking the boys to the dentist. It’s all good, I am just hanging out in the lobby of the dental appointment looking like the hot mess express. Sorry, I am fine, I just had my last midwife visit, ignore the mascara strewn all over my face. I think it’s extra emotional for me because Pilar was the only other person present with me that day. My memories of that day are only shared with her. I’ve had five births and there was something really special about this one, even though my midwife was my only support. We laughed, we gabbed and she shared the serene birth of my only baby girl. She’s so awesome she even hand delivered me a post birth hospital sandwich, with the most ham I’ve ever seen packed into one sandwich. I mean every woman knows it’s straight to the heart with some carbs, even if it’s hospital food. So, now that I am sitting in the dentist office looking mentally unstable, I will close this with saying hire a midwife. You won’t regret it! The care, compassion and pain-free postpartum are worth every cent of government funding. If you’re lucky enough to have a baby in my neck of the woods, you may just get lucky with this beautiful soul #midwife

Postpartum real talk. #Repost @avivaromm with @get_repost Pregnancy, birth, babies. All the curated instagram images make it look so sexy and romantic. And then there are the things no one prepared us for - the blood sweat and tears - literally!... The shift into postpartum leads to the most significant hormone changes we experience in our lives, all in a matter of 72 hours, and with that, some ‘weird’ symptoms can manifest. Below are some of the normal things nobody tells us about. Hopefully knowing will prevent you from thinking you’re totally dying or in the least, that something’s really wrong: Shaking: Immediately after birthing, intense shaking and chills are common due to shifts in adrenaline as your body ‘comes down’ from the birth experience. Baby blues: Different from postpartum depression, the baby blues are a common and normal period of weepiness, anxiety, and irritability in the first 5 days after birth, and can last hours or days. It’s due to massive hormone shifts - especially a plummet in estrogen and progesterone - that occurs after birth, and is aggravated by fatigue and low blood sugar. If you feel down for longer than this period of time, or find that the sadness is interfering with your ability to care for yourself and/or your baby, please talk to your practitioner. Night sweats: many new mamas are alarmed to find themselves drenched in sweat the first couple nights postpartum - don’t be! Your body releases fluid volume naturally accumulated in pregnancy (and from IV fluids in labor). Sleep on a towel, have a change of jammies nearby, and an extra blanket layer on your bed if you feel chilled from sweating. Fear of going to the bathroom: Fear of peeing and pooping post vaginal birth, especially with a tear/repair or after cesarean, are common. If your yoni is tender, use a squeeze bottle with tepid water as you pee for pooping, eat fiber, take deep breaths, and take it slow, knowing it’s safe to let go - and go. Mood swings: Hormone fluctuations can lead to wild mood shifts from intense moments of elation and gratitude to rage or sadness. This intensity will pass, though mom-feelings are still intense See more

What to do in early labour? We talk about this a lot during the Hypnobirthing Niagara course & there are many tools, techniques & things to suggest, but if it...’s the middle of the night & you’re able to, SLEEP is going to be your best friend. Check out some great advice for managing a bit of sleep from @birth_sense Sleep In Labour Clients often ask me what they should do in early labour and my answer is always the same. Rest. Move. Eat. Drink. Repeat. And I know that it might not be that easy, especially when the sensations of labour keep waking you up but lots of little sleeps is still better than none. Here is what I suggest... Get yourself as comfy as possible in whatever position works for you. This might be upright on the loo like this lovely mama. It might be in the bath or it might be in bed, lying on your left hand side with loads of cushions wedged all around you. Make it dark. Have a hot water bottle at your back and a fan to cool you down if it helps. Stick some lavender oil in a diffuser or on a damp facecloth near by. Breathe in and out slowly and imagine as you breathe out that your whole body is sinking down and that your mind is floating away from your body. Just let go. If another surge comes, that's okay... you might wake up a little but keep your eyes closed, focus on staying as relaxed as you possibly can and then, when it's gone, imagine yourself sinking straight back down again. Rather than get frustrated at the interruptions to your rest, focus on the bliss of those uninterrupted minutes in between. Make the most of them, preserve your energy. Your body will thank you later! #hypnobirthingniagara #hypnobirthingpractitioner #hypnobirthing #positivebirth #calmbirth #empoweredbirth

What happens at a home birth? Find out in our birthplace options portal! https://www.ontariomidwives.ca/what-happens-home-birth Learn what to expect before, du...ring and after birth + hear three midwifery clients talk about their home births in the video, Your home birth experience. Read more about birthplace options here: https://www.ontariomidwives.ca/understand-your-options Talk to your midwife about what's right for you!

Did you know that your iron needs are much higher during pregnancy? This is why many pregnant persons will experience iron deficiency anemia and require an iron supplement. . . Your diet is your primary source of iron so it’s important you try to get as much iron content as you can through foods such as red meats, poultry, fish, dark leafy greens and tofu. However, despite consuming iron rich foods, some people will still need an iron supplement. .... . There are many things that impact iron absorption including ... 1) CALCIUM containing foods, 2) caffeine, 3) foods high in phytates & phytic acid (which is why non-heme or plant-based sources of iron are not as easily absorbed by your body) 4) calcium supplements . . . If you are struggling to maintain your iron levels... here are a few tips: vitamin C helps iron be absorbed better, consume your iron rich foods away from calcium containing foods/supplements & cook in iron cookware like cast iron pans. See more

RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS WANTED: The McMaster Midwifery Research Centre is now recruiting participants to complete a 20-60min online survey to learn more from peop...le who HAVE and HAVE NOT had Lyme disease in their pregnancy. Anyone who has had a pregnancy (with or without lyme disease) is eligible to participate. Check out the survey link for more details. Survey: https://is.gd/lymeinpregnancystudy

#Repost @backcountrymidwives with @get_repost The flu vaccine or shot is recommended in pregnancy. Did you know that it is also recommended to get a pertussis vaccination? #askyourmidwife #askyourdoctor #repost @who Annual vaccination is the most effective way to protect yourself against #flu, and serious complications from it. Vaccination is especially important for , at any stage of pregnancy. It’s also crucial for aged 6 months to 5 years, elderly people , those suffering with chronic medical conditions, and for #HealthWorkers . Remember: a flu #vaccine cannot give you flu. To feel achy or feverish after vaccination is a completely normal and natural reaction, and generally lasts only a day or two. #flushot #vaccine #fluseason

We get this question a lot! This is by no means an exhaustive list, but at the end of the day midwives, OBs and doulas all do different types of work and all pl...ay an important role in the birth room (and beyond!). As midwives we love working with doulas as well as our obstetrician colleagues. See more

PARTICIPANTS WANTED in online survey! The Midwifery Infant Feeding Information Survey (MIFIS) is a study for Ontario midwifery clients. If you are 16 years of ...age or older, and are either currently in midwifery care in Ontario or have been discharged from care within the last two months, you are eligible to complete the survey. We want to hear from you! Please visit: https://rsjh.ca/redcap/surveys/?s=RYL3ARPX79

To know her is to admire her

Is it a cold, flu or COVID-19? Getting your flu shot can help reduce symptom confusion and keep our healthcare system responsive to COVID-19. If you have symptoms of flu or COVID-19, contact your primary care provider. www.hamilton.ca/flu lists flu shot locations locally.

LCM TEAM UPDATES :) As many of you are aware, Laina is pregnant and expecting a baby in December <3 She will be going on parental leave in mid-November. This means we will be adding a new face to our LCM team... please join us in welcoming Jenn Crasto to the Orange Team! Jenn was a student with LCM just a few years ago and we are so excited to welcome her back. Jenn will start to meet clients during a few clinic days in October before she starts on call in November. For those who are interested, Jenn's full bio and friendly face has been posted on our website <3

McMaster University is offering free online treatment workshops for women who have been feeling depressed, down, or anxious after the birth of a baby. These wor...kshops are based on Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT) and are being offered as part of a research study. Women will be eligible to participate if they are living in Canada, over the age of 18, and have a baby under 12 months.

As we say goodbye to summer, we are looking back at our birth stats for July & August! Let’s see how big those summer babies are now #midwiveshelpedmeout #LCM #birthstats #ontariomidwives

FREE SEMINAR CO-HOSTED BY ONE OF OUR OWN! Amanda! Click the link for more details: https://facebook.com/events/s/take-charge-of-your-pregnancy-/88052625568465...9/?ti=icl . . Join me and my fellow prenatal practitioners as we host a FREE 1 hour seminar Taking charge of your pregnancy and beyond. We will talk about massage, naturopathic care, yoga, pelvic physiotherapy and much more! Join us in this talk for expecting parents! This will be a zoom seminar, the link will be sent out to all those who register Pre registration is required and can be sent to [email protected] #pregnancy #massagetherapy #expectingmama #grimsby #doulasupport #prenatalyoga #prenatalchiropractic #pelvicphysiotherapy #nutrition #acupuncture #naturopath #OnlineSeminar #hypnobirthing #laborsupport

UPDATE ON WLMH ULTRASOUNDS . . Given the geographic space of West Lincoln DI and waiting room, it is very challenging to maintain social distancing for patients. Recognizing this very significant and happy time for new parents, WLMH has come up with a solution to allow those going for Routine anatomical ultrasounds to have partners come in for the ultrasound. ... . . Pregnant persons will go into the US and have their partner wait in the screening area at West Lincoln. The US tech will call for the partner once the anatomical components are completed to review together. . . NOTE that partners will not be allowed to accompany you to routine follow-ups, dating, and biophysical profiles. See more

I love these images from Happy as A Mother. Let’s normalize motherhood and all that we need. @Maternal Health Niagara is here to be part of your circle of support

Chiropractic check up for my favourite little bean. The birth process can be traumatic, and babies grow at a rapid pace. It’s never too early to get your ...wee one checked out by a chiropractor. Questions about care for your infant? Send me a message! @ Dr. Allison Zaruk See more

Effective July 31st , LCM will require all clients who attend in-person appointments to wear a mask or face covering (such as a shield). . . Your midwife team is appreciative of your cooperation with the new mandated by-law during our in-person clinic appointments in order to keep everyone safe. Our clinic rooms are small and physical distancing is not always possible. .... . However, please remember to make every effort to keep a 2-metre distance within our clinic, and continue to follow other measures such as frequent hand washing and staying home if you, or a member of your household is sick. See more

June stats are in for LCM Looks like the boys are trying to pull ahead! We had a lovely, hot month welcoming all of the summer babies earth side We welcome you to share photos of your June babies! #midwiveshelpedmeout #LCM

Wonderful news! Great advocacy and collaboration! #doulasrock

Amazing news for clients who have doulas

ATTENTION: if you are looking for a family doctor, Dr Michael Milo and Dr Joshua Rempel are accepting new patients at a practice in Pelham. https://www.morningstarfamilymedicine.ca/about-us

A big shout-out to the Koornneef family who gifted us with lots of fresh veggies and treats! We are so thankful for your thoughtfulness and we love our special TY cards! We have some artists on our hands @elissakoornneef