(905) 527-8919 -- 189 Hughson Street South, Hamilton, ON L8N 2B6 -- info@hamiltonmidwives.ca
(905) 527-8919 -- 189 Hughson Street South, Hamilton, ON L8N 2B6 -- info@hamiltonmidwives.ca
On this page, we've posted items that may be of interest to you during your pregnancy. You can look at them here or print them out for your own reference. If you have any questions, ask your midwife for more information.
(Offered to clients of The Hamilton Midwives)
An informal information night held on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at the clinic. The evening will be facilitated by one of our midwives and includes a guest speaker who will share her experience of having a home birth.
A midwife will have her equipment for you to see and answer any questions you might have. Come out for a relaxing time with other clients who are contemplating a home birth.
Please register with the reception desk.
What is umbilical cord blood banking?
A user-pay option for parents-to-be to store stem cells from the umbilical cord at birth. These cells can be cryopreserved as a form of “biological insurance”. They could be used at some time in the future, if necessary, to replace bone marrow destroyed by disease, radiation or chemotherapy. Stem cells are responsible for producing all blood cells
Erythromycin eye ointment and vitamin K injections are two medications recommended to be given to all newborns within the first few hours of life.
The Canadian Health Protection Act requires care providers to put erythromycin ointment (or some suitable alternative) into the eyes of newborn babies to prevent infections of the eye. The infections are caused by several vaginal bacteria, including gonorrhea and chlamydia. The mother may not know she has these infections. The baby comes into contact with the bacteria as it is born. An infection that may develop, especially if untreated, can result in blindness in the newborn.
The Hamilton Midwives believe that parents should actively participate in acquiring knowledge about pregnancy, birth and child care. While your midwife is available to answer questions, we cannot be the only source of your learning about the many aspects of childbearing that are of importance.
In our clinic, we have a selection of books, articles, DVDs, videos and pamphlets that our clients are welcome to borrow. We also welcome contributions of resources that you find particularly useful, so that we can pass your experiences on to others.
Available for clients of The Hamilton Midwives for $5.00 (See Mary Anne at the front desk)
This bath mixture should be prepared, strained, and put together in a large
container ready for the bath.
1 ounce calendula
1 ounce shepherd’s purse
1 ounce uva ursi
1 ounce comfrey
*1 cup sea salt (not included)
*1 large bulb fresh garlic, (not included)
Add the first four ingredients (bag of herbs) to 8 cups of water. Simmer the tea and let set for some time before straining. Simmer the tea leaves again to get their full benefit. Peel and whiz the fresh garlic and add this, as well as the sea salt, to the mixture. Cover, label, and set aside. Add about one cup to the warm bath water when desired. Freeze the tea if you are planning to keep it for more than two days.
The herbal bath is highly recommended for every woman following childbirth. There is absolutely no danger of introducing an infection if the baths are done correctly. The garlic and sea salt will make the bath solution aseptic. Uva ursi is a specific healing agent for a woman's reproductive organs. It is very healing and soothing. Shepherd's purse is excellent for preventing and controlling excessive bleeding.
Your baby will also benefit from being put in the bath with you. The herbal bath will start the healing process of the cord stump, and it may drop off as early as three days. In this bath, your baby will become mellow, and may even smile. The infant will unfold, stretch, and float in the lovely weightless and warmness of the water. It is wonderful to watch the baby's pure joy at finding something so familiar and enjoyable in this new world. Caress, and speak softly to the baby. The infant will love this communication, and will respond by total eye contact and facial expressions. When the infant is taken out of the bath, she should be patted dry, not rubbed. Dress her in soft, warm clothes. Put your baby to bed with you, and let her cuddle up.
The Hamilton Midwives