Birthing Unit Services

Visiting Hours

Triage

One designated support person allowed.

Antenatal

Visiting hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
All visitors must be over the age of 12 with the exception of siblings of the newborn. An adult must supervise siblings at all times.
Visitors are encouraged to coordinate their visit with the patient’s family.

Labour and Delivery

Two designated support people may accompany the patient once admitted in labour, with no substitutions.

Caesarean Section Delivery and Recovery

One support person may accompany the patient into the OR if they are awake for the surgery
One support person may stay during the immediate post-op recovery period provided in the patient’s room

Postpartum

One designated support person is allowed 24-hours access.
Visiting hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
All visitors must be over the age of 12 with the exception of siblings of the newborn. An adult must supervise siblings at all times.
Visitors are encouraged to coordinate their visit with the patient’s family.

There may be times when visiting is limited or restricted. Restrictions may be in place to give our patients time to recover and to focus on caring for themselves and their newborn. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Our Birthing Unit Services include:

Prenatal

Please be advised that we no longer provide a Prenatal Clinic at 28 weeks gestation.

New Obstetrical Referrals/Resources and Pre-Admission Form

Please talk with your care provider in regard to our new Obstetrical Referral Process as well as the Pre-admission form that is to be completed by the pregnant patient and either mailed or brought to the Birthing unit main desk.

We continue to provide:

Rhogam injections for patients with an RH negative blood type
Pre-op C/S teaching for Elective Caesarean Sections
Women and Children Care Centre Social Work support upon patient request or provider referral
Women and Children Care Centre support from the Eat Sleep Console Team (for patients on Methadone or Suboxone) with provider referral

Birthing Unit Triage

Pregnant patients who are over 20 weeks gestation may be seen in our Birthing Unit Triage. You may have an assessment arranged by your Obstetrician or Midwife, or you may come for an assessment if you have concerns about your health or the health of your baby. If you are less than 20 weeks gestation or your concerns are not pregnancy related, please present to the Emergency Department.

When to come to Birthing Unit Triage for assessment

If you have concerns during your pregnancy, please report them to your care provider.

Some reasons to come to Birthing Unit Triage may include:

You are leaking fluid (water) vaginally
You are experiencing vaginal bleeding
There is a change in how your baby is moving
You are worried about yourself or your baby
You feel sudden or constant pain in your abdomen
You are having regular uterine contractions that are increasingly uncomfortable

Pre-admission Elective Caesarean Section Clinic

This appointment is typically in-person and takes approximately 30 minutes. This visit includes pre-operative blood work and education. Obstetricians will refer their patients to the clinic closer to the date of surgery.

Labour & Delivery

Our hospital has eight large labour, delivery and postpartum rooms, so mom and support person can remain in the same room for the duration of their stay.

Caesarean sections are performed in the Operative Birthing Suite on our unit. The immediate post-op recovery care will be provided in the patient’s room on the Birthing Unit or in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).

After delivery, the health care team will support the mother by offering maximum opportunity to learn about self and baby care, and to become comfortable in their new role as a parent. The minimum length of stay after a vaginal or caesarean birth is 24-hours and discharge will take place when mom and baby are medically stable.

Maternal/Newborn Clinic

Once mother and baby are ready for discharge from the hospital, they are offered a follow-up appointment at the Maternal Newborn Clinic. This appointment will occur within 24-72 hours of discharge from the hospital. Postpartum adjustment support and education as well as infant feeding and assessment are some of the services offered at the clinic. Links with community partners and support services, as the patients needs indicate, can be initiated at this visit.