Summer 2011 - Association of Ontario Midwives

Association of Ontario Midwives Summer 2011: Vol. 4 No. 204Midwives marchfor maternalhealth06AGM &conference08Midwives of theworld gather atICM 201108ICM coming toCanada in 2017!09Ontario needsBirth CentresAssociation of Ontario MidwivesHundreds rally at Queen’s Parkdemanding pay equity for midwivesSee story page 4 & 5

AOM News & UpdatesOntario midwives meet withMPPs on pay equityMidwives working to support the payequity campaign this summer (see story,page 4-5) have been reaching out to theirMPPs to discuss the issue. Meeting withMPPs has been an effective tool in raisingthe profile of the campaign.In Toronto, members met with MPPRosario Marchese (NDP – Trinity-Spadina), at his constituency office.Building on that meeting, the MidwivesCollective of Toronto invited him andhis assistant for a clinic tour in July.Marchese toured the clinic, met withclients, and had the opportunity todiscuss midwives’ concerns.Midwives also welcomed NDP party leaderAndrea Horwath and NDP Health CriticFrance Gélinas to the Sudbury CommunityMidwifery practice.Liberal MPP Dave Levac responded to theCommunity Midwives of Brantford bywriting a letter of support for pay equityto Premier Dalton McGuinty and Healthleft: Midwife Stephanie Gingerich, MPP Elizabeth Witmer, midwife Nicole Roach; right: MPP Rosario Marchese visitswith midwife and AOM Vice-President Elizabeth Brandeis.Minister Deb Matthews.In Kitchener-Waterloo, Nicole Roachand Stephanie Gingerich of St JacobsMidwives met with their MPP, ElizabethWitmer (PC). The midwives gave Ms.Witmer information on pay equity and itwas a very positive meeting.Throughout the province, midwives willcontinue to meet with MPPs into the fallto make them aware of the pay equityissue and keep the issue at top of mind ascampaigning begins.Welcome new AOM members!Sarah Atkinson, Midwives of Sudbury/Sages-femmes de SudburyKiran Baboolal, Community Midwives of HaltonChristine Benard, Cambridge MidwivesAmelie Bender, Ottawa Valley MidwivesZuzana Betkova, Midwives Collective of TorontoMegan Bobier, Kensington MidwivesSarah Brown, Midwives of Headwater HillsJennifer Clare-McCutcheon, Womancare MidwivesLaura Coombs, West End MidwivesColleen Crawford, Niagara Midwifery PracticeSarah Cross, Burlington and Area MidwivesTrina Desjardins, Access MidwivesJulie Doldersum, Caring Hands Midwifery ServicesAmy Eagle, Community Midwives of HaltonTiffany Fung, Riverdale Community MidwivesMeagan Furnivall, Talbot Creek MidwivesJennifer Gasparotto, Niagara Midwifery PracticeJanis Herold, Cambridge MidwivesAmy Jackson, Community Midwives of Thunder BayBrittany Jewell, Thames Valley MidwivesHeidi Johnston, Kitchener-Waterloo Midwifery AssociatesJessica Jones, Community Midwives of HamiltonCaitlin Keelan, Stratford MidwivesKristi Kemp, Community Midwives of HamiltonSara Klaiman, West End MidwivesKatherine Kwietniowski, Community Care MidwivesJulie Laverdière, Genesis MidwivesOla Levitin, Midwifery Services of DurhamDaya Lye, Community Midwives of BrantfordHeather Mason, Quinte MidwivesAmy McGee, Midwifery Group of OttawaAndrea Mills, Barrie MidwivesMegan Nuttall, Kawartha Community MidwivesUsha Ramsaran, Family Care MidwivesSarah Redfearn, Womancare MidwivesAmanda Samaroo, Midwifery Care-North Don River ValleyAustin Schoonheyt, Community Care MidwivesGrace Sohmer, East Ottawa MidwivesTess Walter, Midwifery Collective of OttawaXiaojuan Yan, Midwifery Services of Lambton-Kent(As of July 14, 2011)02 ontario midwife • Summer 2011

National Newssages-femmes rouge valley: Midwives and supporters come together for a symbolic Walk to Durban.Midwives march the road to DurbanOn May 5, Ontario midwives, clients and supporters joined thousands of othersworldwide for a symbolic “Walk to Durban” to advocate for better maternal and newbornhealth. The international event, promoted by the International Confederation ofMidwives (ICM), was comprised of a series of 5-km walks “from the midwife’s front door”through their local communities, and took place on the International Day of the Midwife.Many midwifery practices and client groups participated with enthusiasm. Sages-FemmesRouge Valley Midwives organized a walk and picnic on a beautiful spring day, which wasattended by midwives, clients and friends. The walk also helped to raise awareness forthe White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood (whiteribbonalliance.org), an internationalorganization which promotes improved neonatal and maternal care. Participantspinned nametags to their clothing with white ribbons, which also featured facts aboutmidwifery, maternal mortality or neonatal mortality.For the very first time, the ICM Congress was held in sub-Saharan Africa (see feature onpage 8).As midwife Jasmin Tecson of Sages-Femmes Rouge Valley explained, “When I invitedpeople to our walk, I tried to convey the magnitude of maternal mortality rates, and thesobering cost to the children and communities left behind when women die. I tried toexpress to my clients, who enjoy the privilege of informed choice, the deeply shamefulinequality that leaves many birthing women in developing countries with no choices atall.”Many 5-km walks took place all over Ontario and internationally. Some midwives whoattended the walks went on to participate in the “second leg” of the walk, which tookplace June 18th in Durban, during the ICM Congress.“As we celebrated International Day of the Midwife, it was empowering to walk in spiritwith other midwives and mothers around the world,” said Tecson.Midwifery videogoes live!Congratulations to the midwives ofMidwifery Care of Peel and Halton Hills,the winners of our 2011 video contest!The 2-minute video, shot in their practice,features midwives and consumers talkingabout what they love about midwifery.It’s available for viewing on our YouTubechannel, www.youtube.com/OntarioMidwives,and on the AOM’s website.Thanks to the practice for creating such awonderful tribute to midwifery.Quebec midwives receivepay equity adjustmentThanks to a recent pay equity ruling,midwives in Quebec will see theirsalaries increase this summer by atleast 7.31%. In December 2010, theprovince’s Pay Equity Commissionruled that midwives were owed apay equity adjustment, as well asretroactive pay to November 2001.The salary increases have gone intoeffect, and retroactive pay – whichfor some midwives total thousandsof dollars – will be paid in August2011.The route to pay equity was yearsin the making. In 2007, Quebecmidwives filed a complaint with theprovince’s Pay Equity Commission,and asked the Commission to reviewtheir compensation. It took theCommission almost three years,until May 2010, to determine thatmidwives fell under pay equitylaw and that it would be right toproceed with a review. “We had tobe persistent,” said Claudia Faille, aQuebec midwife and President of theRegroupement Les Sages-Femmesdu Québec (RSFQ). “But we thoughtthat midwives were underpaid andwe wanted recognition from the PayEquity Commission.”The review consisted of a very longquestionnaire which was completedby a representative sample of Quebecmidwives. Their answers determinedmidwives’ scope of responsibility andduties, which were then comparedto similar professions. Eventually,midwives were compared to othersin the health sector, and it wasdetermined that midwives were infact underpaid under the terms ofpay equity. This resulted in a 7.31%increase for midwives and a 7.46%increase for the head midwives atbirth centres.“They made the right decision,”said Faille. “They were underpayingwomen. This is more appropriatecompensation for the work done byQuebec midwives.”www.aom.on.ca03

AOM News & UpdatesGovernment reportdeclares pay equityincrease for midwivesoverdueLast fall, midwives received officialconfirmation of something theyhad long since known: because ofthe patchy history of negotiatingthe midwives’ Funding Agreement,midwives had fallen behind in thecompensation they receive for the carethey provide. The confirmation camein the form of an independent, thirdpartyreport funded by the Ministryof Health. The 54-page report, whichexamines the evolution of midwiferyfunding, recommends that midwivesreceive a one-time equity adjustmentof 20%. This recommendation wasbased on an analysis of scope ofpractice, level of education andlevel of responsibility in the healthsystem relative to other primary careproviders.The report, which was guided by anadvisory committee composed ofrepresentatives from the Ministry andthe AOM, examined midwives’ currentcompensation from a number ofangles, including:• Are midwives today fairlycompensated for the scope, volumeand complexity of work that they do?• Do their wages reflect theirexperience and education?• How do midwives compare withsimilar health care professionalsand have their wages kept pace withmarket trends?The mechanism originally used toestablish midwives’ compensationwhen the profession was firstregulated in 1994 was that ofcomparator professions. Basedon midwives’ scope and levelof responsibility, the Ministrydetermined that midwives’compensation would fall betweena nurse (that would be today’sequivalent to a nurse practitioner),and a CHC physician. Compensationlevels in 1994 were also informedby the Ontario Pay Equity Act, whichwent into effect in 1988, as the NDPgovernment of the day did not wantto create a pay equity gap within anew female-dominated profession.top: AOM President Katrina Kilroy rallies the crowd at Queen’s Park; bottom: Supporters hold up signs demanding payequity for midwives.Since then, however, midwiferycompensation has fallen behind. BothNPs and CHC physicians have receivedregular increases, while midwives facedan 11-year gap (1994-2005) when theyreceived no pay increases. Increases in2005 and 2008, the report found, havenot been sufficient enough to ensure payequity for midwives.The report’s final recommendation wasclear: the MOH should pay midwivesa “one-time equity adjustment … thatwould raise the income of midwivesat each experience level by 20%effective April 1, 2011.” This wouldrestore midwives to their historiclevel of compensation between nursepractitioners and CHC physicians inOntario. Although the adjustment mayseem high, the independent consultantsuggested that arguments could bemade to push experienced midwives’compensation even higher, and wrotethat the 20% adjustment would be “fairin all the circumstances.”The report was tabled in September2010, and negotiations began in October.The current Funding Agreement expiredat the end of March 2011.04 ontario midwife • Summer 2011

Midwives and supporters rally for pay equity at Queen’s Parkon June 1 and in Ottawa on June 9.Rallies for pay equityIn response to the government’sfrequent and ongoing delaysaddressing pay equity in thenegotiations process, midwivesvoted on a resolution at the AOM’sAnnual General Meeting in Maywhich:• Endorsed the September 2010government-commissionedcompensation report;• Expressed members’disappointment and frustration thatthe government had not provideda timely response to the report’srecommendations;• Expressed members’ deepdisappointment that thegovernment had not acknowledgedthat midwives should be fairlycompensated based on comparablehealth-care professionals;• Directed the AOM Board ofDirectors to undertake a review ofpotential job actions to protest thechronic and systemic undervaluingof Ontario midwives.Just two weeks after the AGM, theAOM held a rally at Queen’s Park inToronto on June 1. More than 600midwives and supporters turnedout to let MPPs know that midwivesdeserve to be compensated fairly.Past President Elana Johnsonprovided the opening address, andsaid, “Pay equity is a simple concept:equal pay for work of equal value.It is a fundamental human right ofwomen workers to be paid wagesthat are free of the systemic genderbaseddiscrimination that valuesand pays women’s work less thanmen’s work of comparable value.Pay equity requires that women’sand men’s jobs be evaluatedin a non-discriminatory way byaccurately identifying and valuingthe skill, effort, responsibility andworking conditions of the job. That’swhat the independent third-partyreport did – and we need actionnow.”AOM President Katrina Kilroygave a passionate speech to theenthusiastic crowd. “You cannotseparate the worth of women fromthe worth of midwives. Womengrew midwifery in Ontario. Itbelongs to us. Women are worth it.Midwives are worth it. The peopleof this province who value midwiveswant to know who to vote for.”Following the success of theToronto rally, the AOM organizeda rally in Ottawa at Premier DaltonMcGuinty’s constituency office. OnJune 9, more than 100 midwives,women, supporters, children andbabies gathered on the constituencylawn in support of pay equity formidwives. Kilroy demanded that thegovernment provide “an explanationabout why other professions aremore highly valued than midwives.Why is it that year over year,doctors, teachers, police officers,crown attorneys, nurses, professors,not to mention, MPPs all receivecompensation increases – but notmidwives.” The Premier’s staff cameout to the rally to personally receivea letter from the AOM.As directed by members at theAnnual General Meeting, the AOMis exploring all options for furtheraction. Stay tuned for more details.www.aom.on.ca05

AOM AGM & Conference 2011Delivering Change: Strengthening Maternal-Newborn Care in OntarioThe theme of this May’s AOM conferencewas Delivering Change, and the manyvaried sessions built upon this theme.Midwives from across the province cametogether to share information, network,and strategize with the AOM for thecoming year.The pre-conference workshop wasfacilitated by doula and childbirth educatorPenny Simkin, who delivered a full-daysession with energy and enthusiasm. Inthe morning, she described how womenwho have experienced sexual abuse mayexperience birth and how their historymay shape their relationships with theirmidwives. In the afternoon, Simkinexplored the complex topic of labourpain, and shared some surprising factsfrom her research on fetal positioning.Though her subject matter waschallenging, Simkin’s sharp wit andwarmth made the session enjoyable forall who attended. During the openingceremonies at the wine and cheesereception that evening, Simkin announcedthat she had no intention of retiring –news which was greeted with considerableenthusiasm by the crowd.The next morning’s Annual GeneralMeeting followed the theme of DeliveringChange, and the first resolution of themorning, on reproductive choice, passedunanimously. The resolution proposedthat the AOM adopt a position statementstating:Reproductive health care is an integralpart of maternal health; this includesfamily planning and access to legal, safeabortion care, which are fundamental tothe rights of women.This will lead to the creation of a newPosition Statement from the AOM, whichwill be available on the website after it ispassed by the Board.The second resolution involved the ongoingnegotiations and compensation review(see story page 4). Midwives were askedto vote on a resolution which expressedtheir disappointment in the government’slack of a timely response on the September2010 Midwifery Compensation report,endorsed midwives’ belief that they shouldbe compensated fairly based on similarhealth care professionals, and that theAOM should review potential job actions toAnne Wilson, President of the Canadian Association of Midwives; Peter Flattery, CEO of HIROC;Katrina Kilroy, President of the AOM; Penny Simkin, childbirth educator and author.protest the undervaluing of the professionof midwifery. The resolution passed withvery strong support from members.In the afternoon, Madeline Boscoe,Executive Director of Vancouver’s REACHCommunity Health Centre, gave aninspirational keynote address abouther career in women’s health advocacy.She promoted the idea that health-careproviders should see themselves aschange agents in the health-care system,and she described her role in developingManitoba’s first birth centre, which willopen in 2011. Her slides of birth centresfrom around the world provided a range offresh ideas and possibilities.Birth centres were further explored on theThursday, in the form of a panel discussionabout the birth centres movement, whichhas the potential to improve maternal andnewborn outcomes while cutting costs.The afternoon concurrent sessions delvedfurther into new research and innovation,such as sessions on group antenatal care,rural home birth and midwifery care forToronto’s Aboriginal communities.One of the most talked-about sessionsat the conference was presented by IvyBourgeault and Carol Cameron, RM, on thec-section reduction project taking place atMarkham Stouffville Hospital. Preliminaryresults from the study showed a dramaticdrop in c-section rates as a result of anumber of evidence-based interventions.Strategies targeted patients (offeringVBAC information sessions, for example),clinicians (such as publicly posting careproviders’ c-section rates) and hospitalpolicy (scheduling inductions after 41weeks gestation). As a result, VBAC trial oflabour rates doubled, induction rates fellsharply and c-section rates went down forall care providers.The conference closed with an address byOntario midwife Bridget Lynch, who hasrecently completed her tenure as Presidentof the International Confederation ofMidwives (see story, page 8). Lynch toldthe room that Ontario midwives, havingcreated a midwifery model which is theenvy of the world, have an important roleto play at an international level to improvematernal and newborn health globally.SPECIAL THANKSThe AOM is grateful to the SheratonHamilton, which made a donation to theGhislaine Francoeur Fund in the name ofeach midwife who booked a room for theconference. The Fund contributes to thereduction of maternal and infant mortalityin Haïti by promoting the developmentof midwifery and of midwifery education.canadianmidwives.org/fundraising.htmlAlso thanks to everyone who participatedin the silent auction, which generated$1190 for the Ghislaine Francoeur Fund.06 ontario midwife • Summer 2011

AOM AGM & Conference 2011TOP LEFT: Jennifer Rade, baby Wilona, Karin Terpstra; TOP right: Tasha MacDonald, Jan Teevan, JudyRogers, Manavi Handa; below: Elizabeth Brandeis, Allyson Booth, Shelley-Ann Clarke-Dolby, SaraStainton; bOTTOM RIGHT: Sahba Eftekhary, Mary Fleming, Heather MacDermid; bOTTOM Left: Mel Hartzell,Christie Kavaratzis; Middle Left: Jan Teevan, Diane Parkin, Manavi Handa; Left: Andrea Lennox,Michelle Kryzanauskas, Eleni Palantzas.www.aom.on.ca07

International MidwiferyICM Conference brings together globalmidwifery communityIn June, more than 60 midwives from across Canada travelled toDurban, South Africa, for the 29th International Confederationof Midwives (ICM) Triennial Congress. They were joined by morethan 3,000 midwives from over 100 countries to advocate for thecritically important role of midwives in maternal and newbornhealth.The day before the conference began, 2,000 midwives andtheir families participated in a 5km walk along the waterfront’sboardwalk. It was a remarkable sight, as midwives waved flagsand sang songs in dozens of different languages – at first,walking with friends from their own country, but soon mixingand mingling.The conference held special meaning for Bridget Lynch, anOntario midwife from Community Midwives of Toronto, whohas just completed her term as ICM President. During heropening plenary address, she urged midwives not to be invisible,but to emerge as leaders in their communities. She went on tohighlight the most important issues in global midwifery today.These included:• Autonomy: the importance of committing to the autonomousmodel of midwifery care• Strengthening the pillars of education, regulation, and professionalassociations• Defining global standards of midwifery care• Committing to publicly-funded health careLynch has done a tremendous amount to advance the causeof global midwifery, and when she celebrated the accomplishmentsof midwives over the past three years, she was met withthunderous applause from the crowd. On the strength of herICM Presidency and her career building Ontario midwifery, Lynchwas nominated as a finalist in Chatelaine’s Woman of the Yearcompetition.During the conference, the midwives participated in a richprogram of workshops, lectures and plenary sessions. One ofthe highlights was a video produced by the Royal College ofMidwives, which places midwifery in a global complex andaddresses some of its complex issues – all in four minutes!Photos from the 29th International Confederation of Midwives in Durban, South Africa.(Bottom four photos are courtesy of the ICM.)(bit.ly/midwives_work ). The Canadian Association of Midwives(CAM) had a table in the exhibitors section, where the AOM gaveaway an astonishing 36lbs of posters and over 2,000 buttons.Canadian midwives have begun a new twinning relationshipwith midwives from Tanzania, a country with one of the highestmaternal mortality rates in the world (790 per 100,000; Canada’sis less than 5 per 100,000).The next ICM Triennial conference is in Prague in 2014; threeyears later, thousands of midwives will descend on Toronto (seebelow) for ICM 2017.ICM 2017 to be held in Toronto!The Canadian Association of Midwiveswere thrilled to win the bid to hostthe 2017 Triennial ICM conference inToronto. They won on the first ballot,which speaks to the strength of theCanadian bid.The bid enjoyed the support of the MetroToronto Convention Centre, and thebacking of Tourism Toronto, which haspledged up to $150,000 of funding tohelp under-resourced midwives attendthe conference. As many as 5,000 midwivesand their families could attendin 2017, and there is particular excitementthat, with support, midwives fromCentral and South America may turn outin great numbers.The formal process for the bid included apresentation by AOM President KatrinaKilroy, CAM President Anne Wilson,and Emmanuelle Hébert, CAM Boardmember and Professor at Université duQuébec à Trois Rivières. The Canadianpresentation was assisted by RCMP OfficerCorporal Jennifer Warren, flown infor the occasion.Preparation for ICM 2017 will startramping up in 2012, and more informationwill be forthcoming from CAMabout fundraising and planning.08 ontario midwife • Summer 2011

Clinical and Professional DevelopmentEventsNew Practice OrientationThe New Practice Orientation is hostedannually by the AOM and is designed toassist members in making new practiceapplications and share resources and informationwith newly approved practices.Date: September 28, 2011Time: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm (lunch included)Location: Toronto, ON; also by webinar.Putting 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 involving VBAC,community standards, clinical practice andethics. Through facilitated discussion and aninteractive knowledge translation workshop,participants will learn how to directlyintegrate this research into their practice.Date: To be announcedThe AOM Midwifery Practice ManagementGuide: Putting the “Guide” into PracticeThe AOM Practice Management Guidehas been developed by the AOM to informand educate new midwives, midwivesplanning new practices, and current practitionersabout the business realities ofrunning a midwifery practice in Ontario.This interactive and hands on workshopwill use the guide along with practicalexercises, case scenarios and demonstrationsto help midwives gain a more in depthunderstanding of how to effectively run apractice. From preparing annual budgets tounderstanding the realities of social mediaand online communications, this sessionis recommended for every midwife andstudent.Date: October 19, 2011Time: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (lunch included)Location: London, 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 about thestate of the research will be balanced withhands-on skill building workshops includinga Pilates workshop. Dress comfortably forthis informative and fun event!Date: December 5, 2011Time: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm (lunch included)Location: HamiltonWebinarsMidwives can attend these 1-hour webinar/teleconference sessions live, or can accessthem on our website at a later date.Information Security and Social MediaWebinar Series - Social Media 101Want to learn more about Facebook, Twitter,LinkedIn and the benefits of social media?Join this informative webinar to learn howyou can take advantage of social media.Date: October 5, 2011Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pmSecurity and Privacy Awareness – A DifferentKind of BreachLearn more about how to collect, use, storeand disclose personal information from asecurity expert. Hear about potential risksto your practice and solutions to a potentialinformation breach.Date: November 16, 2011Time: 1 pm - 2 pmProfessional Social MediaWorried about the dangers of social media?Join our webinar to hear advice on how toavoid misuse and maintain professionalstandards.Date: December 12, 2011Time: 1 pm - 2 pmCheck the website for more details and registrationinformation. Dates, presenters andsessions subject to change.For additional enquiries, contactcpdadministrator@aom.on.ca or call 1-866-418-3773 or 416-425-9974 x: 2239.EmergencySkillsWorkshopsThe Association of OntarioMidwives reminds membersthat all registered midwives inOntario are required to recertifyin emergency skills every twoyears in order to maintain theirregistration with the College ofMidwives of Ontario.The AOM is pleased to offer thefollowing courses:September 16, 2011 - Kingston(venue to be confirmed)AM Session 8:30 am - 12:30 pmPM Session 1:30 pm - 5:00 pmSeptember 23, 2011 - Barrie(venue to be confirmed)AM Session 8:30 am - 12:30 pmPM Session 1:30 pm - 5:00 pmNovember 18, 2011 - London(venue to be confirmed)AM Session 8:30 am - 12:30 pmPM Session 1:30 pm - 5:00 pmDecember 16, 2011 - Toronto- Association of OntarioMidwives, 365 Bloor Street East.AM Session 8:30 am - 12:30 pmPM Session 1:30 pm - 5:00 pmFees:AOM Member: $325ESW Workbook (2009 version):$45To register for any of thesesessions, visit www.aom.on.cato register online, or print theregistration form from thewebsite and mail or fax it backto the address provided.If you require any additionalinformation, contact events@aom.on.ca or (416) 425-9974 x:2255 or 1-866-418-3773.10 ontario midwife • Summer 2011

Conferences - more at www.aom.on.caunder “Professional Development”Mount Sinai Hospital OB Anesthesia Conference & WorkshopSeptember 16-17, 2011 in Toronto, ONobanesthesia@mtsinai.on.caMaternal and Newborn Care ConferenceOntario Hospital AssociationSeptember 20, 2011 in Toronto, ONoha.com/conferences or call 416-205-1398Breastfeeding: Examining Controversies, Improving Outcomes (with Dr Jack Newman)Renfrew County & District Breastfeeding NetworkSeptember 21, 2011 in Petawawa, ON613-757-3108 or beststart@crc-renfrewcounty.comCritical Issues Associated with the Use of Opioids in Pregnancy and the Newborn6th Annual Ivey Symposium at St Joseph’s HospitalOctober 17, 2011 in London, ONLauren Hanly: 519-661-3128 or iveytox@uwo.caAustralian College of Midwives National ConferenceOctober 18-21, 2011 in Sydney, Australiaacm2011.remark.com.auCanadian Association of Midwives and Midwives Alliance of North America 2011ConferenceNovember 9-12, 2011 in Niagara Falls, ONcanadianmidwives.orgPregnancy and Obesity: A Challenge in Women’s HealthNovember 11, 2011 in Toronto, ON at Mount Sinai HospitalFor more information contact:CME - Dept. of Ob/Gyn(416) 586-4800 x: 2489cmeobgyn@mtsinai.on.camountsinai.on.ca/education/staff-professionals/cmeMedical Disorders in Pregnancy: A Focus on Critical CareNovember 25, 2011 in Toronto, ON at Mount Sinai HospitalFor more information contact:CME - Dept. of Ob/Gyn, (416) 586-4800 x: 2489cmeobgyn@mtsinai.on.camountsinai.on.ca/education/staff-professionals/cmePregnancy and Birth Current Clinical IssuesDecember 15-16, 2011 in Toronto, ON at Sunnybrook Hospitalcmicr.caAmerican College of Nurse Midwives Annual MeetingJune 2-7, 2012 in Long Beach, Californiamidwife.org or mgarvey@acnm.orgFall Regional MeetingsTuesday, October 25, 2011 - South WestRegionWednesday, October 26, 2011 - WestRegionThursday, October 27, 2011 - North RegionTuesday, November 1, 2011 -East RegionWednesday, November 2, 2011 - SouthCentralThursday, November 3, 2011 - South EastAll meetings take place between 1:00pm-4:30pm.Regional Co-ordinators are:North – Shelley-Ann Clarke-DolbyWest – Madeleine ClinSouth Central – Tracy FranklinSouth West – Kelly GascoigneEast – Jane SomervilleSouth East – Sara StaintonFor information on the upcoming 2011Fall Regional Meetings, contactprojectassistant@aom.on.ca.Ontario Midwife is published three times a year by the Association of Ontario Midwives. This publication isavailable online at www.aom.on.ca, or you may request a printed copy. All websites listed are “hotlinked”in the digital copy. Scroll over the website address and click to launch the site.All feedback welcome. Please contact comms@aom.on.ca, or by phone: 416-425-9974 x: 2261or 1-866-418-3773 x: 2261.Association of Ontario MidwivesAssociation of Ontario Midwives, 365 Bloor St. East, Suite 301, Toronto, ON M4Wwww.aom.on.ca3L411