We acknowledge that the land on which we meet is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinabek, Attiwonderonk (Neutral) and Mississauga peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
We also recognize that this land is now home to the Munsee-Delaware Nation, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation and Oneida Nation of the Thames. This land was settled through Treaty 2, the McKee Purchase Treaty of 1790, and we, as beneficiaries of the treaty recognize our collective responsibilities to the land and water.
We further acknowledge that many of us working within this organization are descendants of white settlers, and our work continues within institutions that are shaped by ongoing colonial structures. These systems have long marginalized and continue to marginalize Indigenous peoples, impacting access to resources, health care, education, and justice. We recognize that colonization is not a historical event, but a present-day reality, and we commit to actively challenging the systems of oppression and contributing to decolonization efforts in meaningful and ongoing ways, with a focus on reconciliation, justice, and equity.
Midwives have many roles when on call and taking pages, even if it is daytime. We may be sleeping following being up all night, dealing with an emergency, in clinic visits, or delivering a baby. For this reason, please page for EMERGENCIES ONLY!
Only use the pager for emergency concerns. It is not appropriate to text or email your midwife for emergencies.
Please call the office about the following: 519-637-2224
If it is time sensitive, please indicate that in your message, otherwise, we will return your call within 48 hrs. Our office hours are Monday to Thursday 9:00-4:00, and Friday 9:00-12:00.
Examples of reasons to call the office:
Changing or confirming an appointment
Questions about upcoming tests or results
General questions about diet, exercise, travel, illness, prescriptions, work letter, etc.
Please Page for the following: 519-631-1510
The following are examples of reasons to page your midwife. This is not an exhaustive list. If you are very concerned about a clinical concern page your midwife.
During Pregnancy
Vaginal bleeding (spotting is normal after a vaginal exam or sex)
Severe abdominal pain (pain in your belly)
Severe headache with blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, or abdominal pain
Waters break- page for this as directed by your midwife. Note the colour and smell of the fluid.
Decreased fetal movement after 28 weeks. Do a kick count- assess for 6 movements within 2 hours. If not meeting this minimum, please page.
Fever higher than 38C uncontrolled by tylenol
If you have non-pregnancy related concerns and you are less than 20 weeks, please attend the emergency department.
If you have non-pregnancy related concerns and are greater than 20 weeks, please page first as we may need to assess you before you attend the emergency department.
Paging in Labour
If you are less than 37 wks and think you may be in labour, page your midwife!
If you are greater than 37 wks, please refer to the Early Labour Handout that you were given and any specific directions given to you by your midwives based on your personal history and situation.
Postpartum
You have completely saturated a maxi pad in 30 minutes or less
A fever of greater than 38C
A sore, red, painful, hot area on your breast or chest
Flu-like symptoms
Ongoing or worsening uterine tenderness
Vaginal discharge that smells very bad
Blurry vision, upper abdominal pain, or a severe headache
Ongoing feelings of depression, uncontrollable crying, inability to sleep or eat, extreme anxiety or anger
Sore, red, painful, hot area on your leg, especially your calf
Severe chest pain
Baby
Will not eat for greater than 6 hours
Is breathing very fast (panting) for more than 10 minutes or seems to be struggling with breathing
Has not peed and pooped yet by 24 hours after birth
Has a temperature of greater than 37.5C (99.5F) or less than 36.5C (97.5F) after wrapping or unwrapping the baby and reassessing 10 minutes later
Your Midwives are: (please enter your midwives extension) 519-631-1510
Erin ThorpExt 1Sarah PellegrinoExt 6
Jill PortelanceExt 2Jasmine LalondeExt 7
Natalie PicheExt 3Elizabeth de JongExt 8
Cassidy BarfettExt 5
If you reach a midwife’s voicemail, leave a message and they will call you back shortly, often from an “Unknown number”. You may also be forwarded to a different midwife or a student midwife’s voicemail. Please page again if you do not hear back within 15 minutes. Page a different midwife if your call is still not returned after another 5 minutes.
Elgin County Midwives are committed to providing an inclusive, safe environment for all of our clients, regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, religion, relationship status, immigration/citizenship status or ethnic origin.
We acknowledge that our clinic is not as mobility accessible as it should be. There is a small step into the building. We do not have an accessible washroom. Our exam tables do not move up or down.
If you have a disability related accommodation, please let us know and we will do our very best to accommodate you. We want you to feels safe, seen and heard in our care.
There are times when a client planning to delivery in St. Thomas or at home may have an appointment or need to be assessed or have their baby at Victoria Hospital. Some examples are preterm labour prior to 34 weeks or complications with the pregnancy that requires a higher level of care.
Hope Reinders is thrilled to begin her second clinical placement with Elgin County Midwives after finishing her first placement in Chatham-Kent. She is currently a third-year midwifery student at McMaster University. Prior to moving to Ontario, Hope earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology-Chemistry from the University of New Brunswick and left her hometown of Fredericton.
She has enjoyed working as a ski and swim instructor, experiences that deepened her passion for connecting with others and sharing knowledge. Beyond her studies, she likes taking on challenging hikes, playing in concert bands, swimming, and cross-stitching. Hope is eager to support your care and journey while continuing to enhance her skills.
Alex (she/her) – Senior Midwifery student 2026-2027 I am originally from Sikoohkotoki on Niitsítapi territory, where the prairies meet the mountains (also known as Lethbridge, AB). Before pursuing midwifery, I worked as a doula and in higher education. I also hold diplomas in Music/Entertainment Management and Marketing.
I am deeply committed to reproductive rights, disability justice, and caring for the queer community. I have extensive experience with the IVF process and understand the unique needs that this type of family building involves. In my off time, you can find me experimenting in the garden, paddle boarding, or working through one of my many half-finished projects. I also share my life with my chihuahua, Cow, who has travelled across the country with me and definitely runs the show.
Hello, my name is Grace Hallock. I’m currently in my second year of the midwifery program at McMaster University. I’m excited to begin the hands-on component of my education as I start my fundamentals placement at Elgin County Midwives in January 2026.
I’m deeply passionate about expanding access to midwifery care and education for all individuals and communities. I’m also very excited to meet the clients I will be working with and to support them through compassionate, evidence-informed care. In my spare time, I enjoy thrifting, painting, and spending time in nature.
Grace is our student for January 2026.
Hi everyone, my name is Themar Oseki. I’m so excited to start my senior year placement at Elgin County Midwives starting in May 2024. I’m very passionate about reproductive justice, and its integration within midwifery care. When I’m not catching babies, I enjoy thrifting, exploring new food spots, and roller skating! I look forward to meeting and learning from you all during my final midwifery placement!
Themar was our student in 2024.
Hi, my name is Megan Smith! I’m currently in my second year of the Midwifery Education Program at McMaster. Prior to starting the program, I completed a double major at Western University in Psychology and Sociology. I always knew I wanted to find a career that I was truly passionate about, but nothing quite fit until I discovered midwifery! I was drawn to the core values of informed choice and continuity of care that make the connections midwives and their clients have so empowering and special. I am so honoured to be learning and growing alongside the Elgin County Midwives team and clients. While on break, you can find me back country camping with my husband, or playing games with family and friends. Megan is out student winter 2024.
Sophie McAlpine was our student in 2023-2024. She studied midwifery at McMaster University and is thrilled to be completing her senior placement with Elgin County Midwives. She holds a B.Sc. from the University of British Columbia and spent time working in the management of outdoor education centres prior to studying midwifery. Sophie is from Alberta where she loves backpacking through the mountains in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter. She was drawn to midwifery because of its ability to weave together intellectual, physical, and emotional work within a model of care that centers the client. She is deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from to the staff and clients of Elgin County Midwives as she embarks of the final chapter of the midwifery education program.
Olivia Mickie
Olivia Mickie is a second-year Midwifery BHSc student at McMaster University. She first completed an HBSc in Kinesiology at Queen’s University in Kingston, which helped her find midwifery. She is very passionate about reproductive health and justice and find midwifery to be a great place for her to pursue this passion. Some of her hobbies include biking, traveling, and walking my dogs. She was our student January 4, 2022.
Hello, my name is Bronwyn Rush and I am in my final year of midwifery school. I grew up in Beamsville, Ontario and have always enjoyed living in a smaller town. I have previously completed an undergraduate degree in health sciences from the University of Western Ontario. In my fourth year at Western I was struggling to find a career that I wanted to pursue when I graduated, until I learned more about midwifery while researching a project on rural maternal health in Ontario. I was interested in being able to empower women to make informed decisions regarding their own health and midwifery seemed to be the perfect fit for me. So far I am really enjoying my midwifery education through McMaster University and love working with the Elgin County Midwives. Bronwyn was our student in 2021.
All midwives practicing in Ontario have graduated from rigorous midwifery education programs. They become experts in uncomplicated birth and emergency procedures by studying health, social and biological sciences in the classroom, completing clinical placements under the supervision of experienced midwives, attending births as secondary and primary care providers, and providing prenatal and postpartum care in midwifery clinics and clients’ homes.
There are four possible educational paths to becoming a midwife in this province:
The Midwifery Education Program (MEP), offered at McMaster and Toronto Metropolitan universities, is a four-year degree program that awards graduates a Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) degree in midwifery.
The International Midwifery Pre-registration Program (IMPP), offered through Toronto Metropolitan University, is a bridging program that prepares experienced, internationally educated midwives to practice in Ontario.
The Midwifery Post-Baccalaureate Program for Health Professionals (PBHP) is an accelerated stream of the Midwifery Education Program that accepts candidates who already have health professional baccalaureate degrees and significant maternity care experience.
At Elgin County Midwives our students primarily come from the McMaster Midwifery program. There are many great benefits to having a student. Many clients really enjoy the extra learning they receive both from the client but also from they midwife as she teaches and guides the student through their learning. Midwifery is a hands on profession and there is only one way to learn – hands on!
Same great midwives but now fully dedicated to St. Thomas, Aylmer and the rest of Elgin County. As of December 1 we will no longer be part of Talbot Creek Midwives. TCM will continue to exist in Komoka and serving the families of London and Middlesex County.
Our office address remains 66 West Ave in St. Thomas. The telephone number is the same – 519 637 2224 but we have a new fax number (I know! faxes! but honestly they are still used a lot in healthcare! It’s weird) Our new fax number is 226 406 5833.
