Local Care Midwifery in the Time of Corona…

Update

March 25, 2020

Hello Dear Ones,

The world has changed so much since I posted the letter below on March 14. As of today, one third of the entire world is ‘locked down’ -movements of people severely restricted to slow the Covid 19 Pandemic. People are working from home. Kids are no longer going to school, or playgrounds. Toilet paper is suddenly a luxury item.

Here at LCM, some things have not changed since the letter below.

  • Chrissy, Kevin and Loring still work remotely, they always have and this is serving us well. Turns out LCM was somewhat prepared for this situation.
  • Our number ONE priority is pregnant, birthing and postpartum folks.
  • Visits are scheduled for specific times and can be done remotely if this is clinically and emotionally appropriate. Please let us know what you would prefer. Remote visits can be done by phone, Skype, Duo, or Zoom. If Michelle hasn’t contacted you within 5 minutes of the scheduled appointment, please give her a call.
  • We are still attending births and doing home visits. We are taking extra precautions and doing our best to keep ourselves, our families, our clients and their families all safe.
  • Michelle still puts posts on FaceBook and Instagram. Check them out, especially the new baby posts!

Some things at LCM, have changed since the letter below.

  • For the time being LCM Moms and More is cancelled. Sorry! As much as getting together is good for the soul, Covid 19 is not good for bodies. As we get better at Zoom, maybe we will do a remote play date.
  • Going forward, LCM midwife and assistant will plan to wear masks once the birthing client is in active labor. Physiological birth is often an aerosolizing event,. Since it would be unreasonable to ask the birthing woman to wear a mask,  LCM Birth Workers will.
  • We also plan to set our birth bags on a clean sheet. Please have an area about 2 feet by 3 feet cleared on the floor in your birth room for Michelle’s bags.
  • Loring is contacting clients a day or two before the scheduled apt to check whether a remote or in-person appointment is desired, and if remote is desired, what method works best for you.

Know that we are thinking of you. We will get through this. It will be ok.

Remember, if you need us, we are here. Please let us know how we can be of service.

Love,

The LCM Team

Michelle, Kevin Loring, Chrissy, Cait

May all babies be born into loving hands

 

March 14, 2020

Hello Dear Ones,

The recently declared pandemic is affecting everyone around the world. This note is to let you know how your care at LCM is shifting, to offer suggestions for your personal care and safety, and to remind you that you are loved!

Care at Local Care Midwifery

Our responsibility is to keep all of us as safe and as healthy as possible. Not just LCM staff and clients, but also your families, friends, and the wider community as well.

How do we do this?

Here at the office, all flat surfaces, door handles, light switches, bathrooms are being sanitized at the beginning and end of the workday, and in between as needed.

We are requesting that upon arrival to the office, everyone take a moment to wash their hands. There is a washroom immediately behind the stairs. It is stocked with both bar and liquid soap, both clean cloth and paper towels (and some lotion for your poor over-washed hands).

If you have a scheduled appointment and you are sick (fever, cough…) please, please call before coming to the office so we can assess the best way to care for you. Often just a chat with your midwife and tucking yourself back into bed is what is needed more than a face-to-face visit. If you are sick, don’t hesitate, CALL.

Our top priority for clinical care is pregnant, birthing, and postpartum clients. When reasonable and desired by the client, normal, routine prenatal care appointments can be done remotely, or, the time between those visits may be stretched out a bit farther than usual.

For the foreseeable future, we will not be scheduling routine or ‘annual’ exams. If you have a clinical issue or need prescription refills, by all means let us know.

Sick visits will be scheduled on a case-by-case basis. (Yes, Michelle can still check on your cold, sinus infection, urinary tract infection…)

We will use technology to the best of our ability -telephone, Skype, Google Duo, and FaceTime are possible ways for LCM clients to have dedicated time with their midwife. Much of what happens in the office is actually quite doable by remote. These visits are often billable to your insurance, so may only require a copay. If you are cash-pay, the fee will be reasonable.

For ‘new’ folks considering joining this practice, we have always offered complimentary Pregnancy Consults and Preconception Consults. For the foreseeable future, these will be done remotely using phone or other technology.

Will we continue holding LCM Moms & More? Maybe. Social interaction is important for social and emotional health. But so is decreasing risk of infection. The next LCM Moms & More is on the books for March 25 from 11-1. Michelle will monitor the situation and make her best decision as the date gets closer. (Remember to Like us on Facebook or Instagram so you can see timely updates.)

So why are we doing all this?

Because a pandemic is a really BIG DEAL. To make it through this crisis (yes, this is a crisis), we ALL have to make purposeful changes in our daily lives.

What can YOU do?

Breathe. Wash your hands. Breathe some more . Stay as healthy as you can. And I mean ALL of your health- physical, emotional, spiritual, and social health. Wash your hands again.

Hand washing Just like we have been told our whole lives: wash your hands! Wash them with sudsy, foamy soapy action, between your fingers, up to your wrists, under your nails… Do it for at least 20 seconds (sing Happy Birthday twice), then rinse and dry. (Several pages of links here.)

Sanitizing This works best by spraying an area, letting it sit for 10 minutes or so, then wiping. At LCM, we are using Force of Nature. Michelle and Kevin are also spraying down their phones (and her watch) at least twice a day. Other options are 10% bleach solution, high proof alcohol in a 70% solution, or these products.

Staying healthy Health is a complex and integrated thing. I bet that you already know what I am going to say:

  • Get hot, sweaty and out of breath at least 15 minutes everyday
  • Eat plenty of fruits and even more vegetables
  • Rest well -sleep is important
  • Self-time (at least 15 minutes a day of time spent simply nourishing the Self)
  • Take appropriate supplements and medications
  • Drink plenty of water

I would also add, be sure to care for your social self. In this time of quarantining and social distancing, this can be especially challenging. Get creative! You can always make a remote date with a friend, chatting on the phone or FaceTime while having a drink or watching a movie together. Even better, practice some relaxation together.

Being prepared Having a three month supply of important medications is reasonable (don’t forget Gas X, Benadryl Cream, Cough Drops, Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen). Having about two weeks of shelf stable food in your house is probably reasonable. Having a couple of fresh puzzles, games, novels… not a bad idea.

Stay in touch. We are still here for you!

Love,

The LCM Team

Michelle, Kevin Loring, Chrissy, Cait

May all babies be born into loving hands

 

PS:

Aviva Romm CPM, MD has done a great service; writing up information on Corona Virus 19, CV 19 and pregnancy,  CV 19 and breastfeeding, CV 19 and autoimmune… even more to come. Check it out.