Lions Club of Kingston donation supports mothers and babies

Mothers, babies and families now have better access to water immersion and water-birth options when giving birth at Kingston Health Sciences Centre.

Last year’s generous donation of $110,000 by the Lions Club of Kingston, through the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, was used to install two permanent tubs that will be available to expectant mothers in the Labour and Delivery unit. The tubs were unveiled on March 20.

“Water immersion during labour has been shown to decrease the request for pain medication and epidurals which increases a woman’s opportunities to have focused care during her labour," says Dr. Graeme Smith, KHSC's Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology. "We thank the Lion’s Club for their generous donation to support our patients and families.”

Previously, expectant mothers used inflatable, temporary tubs which took about an hour to set-up. Occasionally, labour progresses quicker than expected, and tub set-up was not able to be completed in time to accommodate the birthing process. With the new permanent tubs, water immersion therapy will be a readily available option.

Not only will the hot water in the tub help relax muscles and ease pain during labour, but the size of the tub allows patients to float, easing the pressure on the rest of the body. The new tubs also support water birth options which are available to mothers who are under the care of a trained midwife. The tubs are the only ones of their kind in Southeastern Ontario and KHSC was one of the first hospitals in the country to offer in hospital water-birth. 

“For over 80 years the Lions Club of Kingston has been raising funds and supporting projects in our community. We are pleased to have the opportunity to purchase these water-birth suites at KHSC’s KGH site. We hope that mothers, babies, and families will benefit from them for many years to come,” says Eldon Polk, President of the Lions Club of Kingston.

The Lions Club of Kingston has been a long-time supporter of the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation and health care in Kingston. In 2015, the club donated $100,000 towards the purchase of a second MRI machine at the KGH site.

“The Kingston Lions Club is a great supporter of many aspects of community life," says Denise Cumming, President and CEO, of the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation. "We’re thrilled to have them funding this new and better care option for birthing moms from our region.”