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., .. » - r, ' 4 - Orono Weekl; y Time ss, Wednesdi ly, Ap $11! 2003 SilBiliiüiiiii \ Hr; j lii! üh;:; i:'ïtj.iîïhiiM jiUiiiiiiilijij! :|jj ||||| ii'iK sü Tina Cantelmi of Orono had baby Kira at home with the help of midwife, Kristy Hook last September 29. Sister Elle, 3, enjoys her new sibling. ANITA DEVRIES PHOTO MORRIS FUNERAL CHAPEL LTD. SERVING DURHAM REGION SINCE 1841 ALL FUNERAL SERVICES PREARRANGED AND/OR PREPAID BURIAL - CREMATION - TRANSFERS "WHERE PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE IS IMPORTANT' FUNERAL DIRECTORS PAUL R. MORRIS DOUG R. RUTHERFORD GARY M. CONWAY DEBRA D. KELLEHER 623-5480 A DIVISION ST- BOWMANVILLE ■ AT QUEEN ST. Midwives open clinic By Anita DeVries When Orono resident Tina Cantelmi was pregnant with her first child four years ago, she had hoped to have a midwife, midwife, but there were none available. Since midwifery has only been recognized as a profession profession by the Ontario government government since Dec. 31, 1993, it has been hard for women who want the services of a midwife to help them during their pregnancy and deliveries deliveries to find one. Not anymore. Three registered registered midwives have opened a clinic in Oshawa to service pregnant woman from Oshawa to Cobourg. Judi Brandson, Kristy Hook and Shannon Valerio had all been working as midwives in different different areas but this year decided to open their own practice together at 195 Simcoe St. North. Midwives offer woman an alternative to doctor-assisted births. They book at least Î4 an hour for each prenatal visit giving women as much information as they need in order to make informed choices about their pregnancy pregnancy and delivery. Midwives will deliver the baby at home or at a hospital. They also care for the new mom at her home after the baby is born. "We take time to really educate the women," said Kristy Hook, "The objective is to encourage the mom's to take ownership over themselves themselves and really figure out what they want with their babies." When Cantelmi was pregnant pregnant with her second child last year she heard about Hook and gave her a call. Cantelmi opted to have her baby, Kira, at home where both her and her little family could enjoy the miracle miracle of birth together in the comfort of their home. "It was so great," said ...jimnun iniiifipiii ill JS1I1 11 Kristy Hook and colleagues Judi Brandson and Shannon Valerio opened a midwife clinic recently in Oshawa. Cantelmi, "My husband Colin was there, as well as my best friend and the midwives. midwives. The midwives were relaxed and encouraged me to do whatever I needed to do. They helped me feel really really good about myself." "Women are so incredibly powerful to do the things they do, giving birth is an amazing accomplishment," said Hook. "I see women gain confidence from their experience, they are proud of themselves and I say 'ya, you should be, you did an amazing amazing thing.'" Hook says the research is clear that home births are just as safe as hospital births if the women are well- screened, healthy and low risk with skilled attendants. Midwifery care is fully funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care of Ontario. Since the SARS outbreak Hook says more women are deciding to have their children children at home, "Why have my baby in the hospital where people are sick and I'm healthy, they say." Hook says about 40% of the women she sees decide to have the baby at home. The midwives have access to both the general hospitals in Oshawa and Cobourg. When delivering a child at the hospital hospital they take complete care of the woman just like in a home birth, however they use a hospital room. Hook and her colleges don't push women to have their children at home or in the hospital; they just give the mom as much information as possible so that she can make an informed decision. "It's about the women's experience. It's all about her," said Hook. There are only about 250 midwives in Ontario, some big cities don't even have one. Hook and her colleges are already very busy. "It's hard work," says Hook. "I've been on call since December, and I have to go out in all kinds of weather. It's a very challenging challenging job, but the rewards are so great. We are family building, building, and that is very important important work." Three universities in Ontario offer the four year Undergraduate Degree in Midwifery, McMaster, Ryer- son and Laurentian. tiadngton Leading the Way ^ CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON PUBLIC NOTICE www.municipality.clarington.on.ca BACKYARD FESTIVAL COMMUNITY HEROES Thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting the 2003 backyard festival. 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