Midwives Picnic Poster 2014

Please join us this Sunday Sept.7th at Dufferin Grove Park (picnic area) for our annual reunion picnic!  The time is 11a.m-1p.m, and it’s a drop-in potluck.  Past & current clients and midwives will be there, bring your family and enjoy!  Rain or Shine.

We’ve been bursting at the seams with midwives, students, families, staff, and babies on Dupont Street for a while now. Over the next few months we’ll be transforming the space at 1203 Bloor Street West into our new home. We’re so excited to get into our new digs!

Prenatal Classes: We offer prenatal classes to all of our clients giving birth for the first time. You will receive a phone call several months prior to your due date with your class dates. The classes are taught by midwives and cover the stages of labour, home & hospital births, birth plans, newborn care, and breastfeeding. The classes cost $150 for you and your labour support person to attend. If this fee is beyond your current means please talk to your midwife about reducing the fee.

Upcoming classes:
Thursday evenings April 3-24, 2014/ 7-9 p.m
Thursday evenings May 1-22, 2014/ 7-9 p.m
Thursday evenings May 29- June 19, 2014/ 7-9 p.m

Siblings Classes: We offer a monthly class for siblings-to-be who are 2+ years of age. This is a one hour class that runs on a Saturday or Sunday. Please register with the front desk staff. Please have your child/children bring a stuffed animal/doll and a receiving blanket. The fee is $10 per child, and $15 for two.

Upcoming Classes:
Saturday April 19, 2014/ 12:30-1:30p.m
Saturday May 17, 2014/ 11a.m-12 noon

Homebirth Information Night:
Do you want to know about giving birth at home?
Presented by experienced midwives and families
Evidence-based information
Birth equipment demonstration
Water birth information
Home Birth Q & A
FREE, SUGGESTED DONATION OF $20 (proceeds to Joshua Fund)

Upcoming Evening:
Wednesday April (date pending), 7:00-8:30p.m

Here is a link to the Toronto Birth Centre facebook page if you would like to check it out. If you are a client of our practice and are considering delivering at TBC and would like a tour please call them at (416) 366-8080.

Today is the pay equity day to take action – a day to show your support for Ontario’s midwives.

This morning, the Association of Ontario Midwives filed a complaint on behalf of midwives with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. Midwives face a gender penalty, also known as a pay equity gap, because they are a female dominated profession, providing care to women, for a woman’s experience of labour and birth. In fact, women in Ontario still face a gender pay gap of 28% (Equal Pay Coalition of Ontario).

Midwives have supported the labour of more than 150 000 women in Ontario – today, it’s our chance to stand up for the labour of midwives.

Please send a short email or tweet to Premier Wynne and let her know you support pay equity for midwives.

Here’s what your e-mail could say:

Email address for the Premier: premier@ontario.ca

Dear Premier Wynne,

My midwives supported me in the labour and birth of my [SON OR DAUGHTER’S NAME] (see picture attached), and now I am supporting pay equity for midwives.

Sincerely,

[NAME]

Don’t forget to attach a photo of your child – it will help personalize your message.

Or/

Dear Premier Wynne,

Midwives are a valuable part of Ontario’s health care system. I support pay equity for midwives.

Sincerely,

[NAME]

­­————–

When sending your email, please CC or BCC policy@aom.on.ca.

Twitter:

#ValueMidwives

Please take action by tweeting the following:

@Kathleen_Wynne A midwife supported my labour, now I am supporting hers. I #valuemidwives and support pay equity

@Kathleen_Wynne Pay equity for @Ontariomidwives now because we #valuemidwives

My midwife supported the birth of my son/daughter, now I support @ontariomidwives @kathleen_wynne its time to #valuemidwives

Your support in these efforts is sincerely appreciated.

Global News did a short piece about the new Toronto Birth Centre. Check it out!
Despite delays, interest grows for new Ontario birthing centre

It won’t be long until the Toronto Birth Centre is open! Check out the original Ministry of Health and Long Term Care news release here.

Hey folks,

It’s almost that time of year again, the annual reunion picnic is coming up! It’s an opportunity see your midwives and pre-natal class friends again. The picnic will be held in the picnic area at the southeast corner of Dufferin Grove Park, which is located south of Bloor, East of Dufferin. It will be a potluck so we ask that you bring something small to share. The date is Sunday, September 22nd from 11am until 1pm. If you would like more information or would like to volunteer please email us at midwivescollective@bellnet.ca

We hope to see you all there!