Birthing Centre

With approximately 1650 deliveries each year, the Birthing Centre provides services before, during and after the birth of your baby.

Our obstetrical unit consists of 3 triage rooms, 6 labour rooms,12 post-partum beds, and 1 high risk/operating suite. The department is staffed by a collaborative interdisciplinary team including nurses, midwives, OB/GYN physicians, family physicians with OB privileges, a social worker, and additional support staff

We provide family-centred care in a comfortable "care by parent" setting.  Sleep chairs are available in most post-partum rooms to accommodate one support person for an overnight stay.

COVID-19 & Pregnancy

Having COVID-19 during pregnancy increases your risk of hospitalization and ventilation requirement. Pregnant people who contract COVID-19 are at a higher risk of preterm birth, depending on the severity of the infection. Most people with COVID-19 in pregnancy will have a mild to moderate illness that does not require hospitalization.

If you are pregnant in Ontario, you are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in the “highest risk” category. Speak with your care provider if you have any questions or concerns.

For more information on COVID-19 and pregnancy, visit COVID-19: Pregnancy, childbirth and caring for a newborn.

What to pack for the hospital

For you

Health card
Insurance coverage information
Home medications (pill bottles/pharmacy list)
Underwear (2 or 3 pairs of cotton panties are best)
Bra (nursing bra and nursing pads if you are breastfeeding)
Toiletries (toothbrush, hairbrush, hair elastics, deodorant, soap, shampoo)
Sanitary pads without dry weave mesh (no tampons)
Nightgown, housecoat and slippers
Chapstick or lip balm
Loose fitting clothes for the trip home
Pen and paper
Pillow
Reusable water container
If a support person is staying with you in hospital, please bring extra toiletries and another pillow and blanket
Snack food for you and your support person

For your baby

T-shirts
Sleepers
Diapers
Baby wipes
Socks/booties
Hat
Sweater
Light receiving blanket
Car seat (only on the day you are taking your baby home). Please have your car seat installed and know how to use it.

Visitor policy

Visiting restrictions are in place to give our patients time to recover, learn how to care for themselves and their newborn, and reduce the risk of infection.  Your full cooperation is greatly appreciated! 

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, additional visitor restrictions may be in place. Please contact the Birthing Centre for the most up-to-date visitor policy at 705-675-4731

Caesarean section

If you have not been told the date and time of your booked caesarean section, please call your care provider’s office. 
Follow your care provider’s instructions for taking prescribed medications the day of your caesarean section. 
Stop smoking 48 hours before your surgery.

The day of surgery

Shower or bath with any antibacterial soap the morning of your procedure. Do not put on any lotion or powder after your shower. 
Wear no makeup. Remove all nail polish from your fingers and toes (even clear) and acrylic nails. If you have acrylic nails, one nail must be removed. Do not wear perfumes or scented products. 
Bring your Health Card and your antenatal records (yellow forms from your doctor). 
Leave all valuables and jewellery at home. The Hospital is not responsible for lost belongings. 
Do not bring more than $10.00 cash with you. 
Register at Main Registration. Registration is located just off the main lobby.

Fasting Guidelines

Solids

Meals can be ingested up to 8 hours preoperatively
Fasting (nothing to eat) for scheduled C/S at 0800 hours – 0000 hours (midnight)
Fasting (nothing to eat) for scheduled C/S at 1300 hours – 0500 hours

Liquids

Clear fluids can be ingested up to 2 hours preoperatively
Patients should be encouraged to drink moderate amounts (up to 12 ounces) of carbohydrate-containing clear fluids 3 hours before their scheduled C/S
The volume of liquid is less important than the presence of particular matter in the liquid

Cervical ripening or induction of labour

Your care provider has booked you at the hospital for an induction of labour. This means that you may have to come into the hospital to have a cervical ripening agent inserted to soften (or ripen) your cervix to prepare you for the labour process. 

What to expect for your induction

A nurse will call you the night before your scheduled induction with instructions. If the Birthing Centre is busy, your induction may be postponed or re-scheduled to accommodate urgent patients. The nurse will advise you when to come to the hospital. 

What to expect if you require cervical ripening

If you arrive for your induction between 0600 -1700 on weekdays, please stop to register as an Out-patient in the Registration Department the morning of your induction. After hours, please present directly to the Birthing Centre 3rd floor Centre Tower to register.
You will have fetal monitoring assessment when you arrive.
The physician will choose the ripening agent based on internal cervical examination. 
We will continue to observe and monitor you and your baby for an additional hour after the procedure. 
After your assessment you may be admitted or given a day pass and instructions on when to return to the Birthing Centre.

 When to return to the hospital for an assessment: 

This will be decided once you have been assessed by the physician. The time will vary between 6 – 24 hours.

Following insertion, it is normal for you to feel a variety of symptoms. However, you should return to the hospital sooner than previously advised to be assessed if you have any of the following symptoms: 

Bleeding similar to a heavy period 
Your water breaks 
Frequent painful contractions 
No break between contractions 
Fever (temperature greater than 37.5ºC) 
You do not feel your baby moving as usual

Safety and security

The Birthing Centre is a locked unit with a “buzzer” system for entry.  Guests will be asked to identify themselves and who they will be visiting prior to entering the unit.  

All babies will wear a security bracelet (“HUGS” tag) around their ankle.  These bracelets will trigger an alarm if a baby comes close to an exit (where you see yellow caution tape on the floor), or if the strap or tag is tampered with in any way.  When this alarm sounds, the unit (including all doors and elevators) is automatically shut down.  Video surveillance is also used to keep your infant safe. 

Keeping Your Newborn Safe - Tips for Parents

Ways that you can keep your baby safe after delivery:

Never leave your baby unattended.
Do not carry your baby in your arms when in the hallway. Leave your baby in their bassinette when travelling in the halls.
To protect your baby from germs, ensure that all persons handling your baby have washed their hands properly.
Call for your nurse immediately if somebody that you do not know is in your room who say they are taking your baby for any reason.
Your baby must keep its identification bracelets on until returning home.

Outpatient services

Non-Stress Test (NST) 

An NST can be ordered by your care provider to evaluate the well-being of your baby prior to it undergoing the stress of labour. 

An NST is a simple, non-invasive test that does not pose any physical risk to you or your baby. Your baby’s heart rate will be monitored and recorded while the baby is resting and moving. It takes approximately 20-40 minutes to complete. 

Obstetrical Triage 

This is an area where pregnant people come when referred by a physician, midwife or self-referral to assess their health or their baby's health or the health of their baby. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and accommodates people who are over 20 weeks gestation. 

When to Come to the Hospital

Call or come to Triage:

If your water has broken
If experiencing vaginal bleeding
If concerned about your health or the health of your baby (i.e. concerns about baby movements)
When contractions become regular and uncomfortable

You will decide together with your healthcare team whether admission to the hospital is necessary at this time.

At any time if your pregnancy, report these symptoms to your care provider:

Bright red bleeding from the vagina
Fluid leaking from the vagina
Sudden swelling in the face and hands
A severe headache
Blurred vision
Severe pain in abdominal area or side
Fever and chills (temperature above 38.0ºC or 101ºF)
Continuous nausea and vomiting
Pain or burning sensation when urinating
Experiencing a blow to the abdomen (i.e. motor vehicle accident)
Uterine contractions before 37 weeks
May feel like a backache or cramping
After 37 weeks, regular contractions (approximately every 5 minutes) may be your first sign of labour