“We feel lucky to have had their help in bringing our beautiful children into this world.”

Patient reflects on using midwifery care for six of her deliveries. 

“It’s such a family-centred approach.” This is how Chana Borenstein explains the connection she feels in having the care of a midwife.

Chana has used midwifery care for six of her seven deliveries and delivered her children at the Oshawa Hospital. And Judi Brandson has been her midwife throughout each of her deliveries.

“I was so fortunate to find these midwives and especially Judi,” explained Chana, who moved to back to Canada and settled in Whitby with her husband, Rabbi Tzali Borenstein while pregnant with her second child. “Judi is an incredible woman. She has a calming presence, she knows her stuff from a medical perspective, and she’s delivered so many babies, so she’s the expert in this. Her professionalism and passion for her craft have helped many pregnant people.”

Judi indeed has had a proud and longstanding midwifery career. In 2003, she delivered the first baby by a practicing midwife at Lakeridge Health. As well, she is also the founder of Community Care Midwives, the first midwifery organization to be able to deliver babies at Lakeridge Health.

Lakeridge Health has now established community partnerships with multiple midwifery practices in Durham Region and midwives deliver hundreds of babies at the Ajax Pickering and Oshawa Hospitals each year.

“As registered health-care professionals, midwives provide safe, evidence-based care to their patients,” explained Judi. “Pregnant people have many questions during their pregnancy, and we are there to listen to their concerns and give them the information they need to feel empowered to make informed choices. As well, patients have access to their team of midwives 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we’re with them during active labour and through the first six weeks after delivery.”

In addition to the connection she has with Judi, Chana also has another personal connection with Lakeridge Health. Her husband, Rabbi Tzali Borenstein, volunteers with the Spiritual Care team to support Jewish patients and families.

“My husband and I are incredibly grateful that we were able to meet the right people at the right time and feel lucky to have had their help in bringing our beautiful children into this world."