Maternal Health & Obstetrics

Please contact the Birthing Unit triage if:

• You believe that you’re in labour
• You are bleeding or you believe that your water has broken
• You are having contractions before 36 weeks
• You have any additional concerns
• You have not felt your baby move following a Kick Count self-assessment

Yes, epidurals are available 24/7 as an anesthetist is always on call. Other pain management options are available. Please discuss this with your nurse or midwife.

For Mom:

• Personal toiletries (toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hair brush)
• Deodorant, comb, lip balm, personal care products
• Heavy flow pads (pull-ups, depends, or nighttime pads - recommended for post-partum recovery)
• Bathrobe
• Nightgown or comfy clothes, nursing-friendly tops
• Underwear
• Non-slip Slippers/sandals or comfortable footwear
• Warm socks
• Snacks/drinks 
• Phone charger and any personal comfort items

For support person/partner:

• Comfortable clothing
• Toiletries
• Snacks and drinks
• Phone charger and any personal necessities

• Diapers (full pack of newborn diapers)
• Wipes (1 travel size package is not enough)
• Sleepers and going-home outfit
• Socks/mittens
• Blanket and hat
• Car seat (Leave in the car until discharge)
• Pacifier (if desired)
• Bottles/formula (if planning on bottle feeding)

There are four spacious birthing rooms. Patients who've had an uncomplicated vaginal birth will remain in hospital for up to 24 hours, while those who have had a Caesarean Section will stay for a full 24hrs.

Stevenson provides single occupancy rooms for patients in labour. It is the goal of the obstetrics department for patients to remain in their spacious birthing suite for the duration of their stay. In most cases this is experienced, however there may be circumstances when a patient is moved to a shared semi-private room post-delivery if the unit becomes busy with patients in need of a birthing room.  

Breastfeeding can begin soon after your baby is born. If you would like support or require specific instructions, our knowledgeable nurses or midwives will be happy to help.

As a level 1 facility, our highly skilled team is competent in maternal and newborn care including the resuscitation and stabilization of newborns until transferred to a facility that provides intensive care.

Visiting hours are open to 24 hours/day, seven days a week.

Yes, there is a Cafeteria lunch program that operates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for staff and the public. Small meals and snacks/beverages are also available in vending machines in the Cafeteria around the clock.

Meals for patients will be provided and delivered to your room. There is a kitchen equipped with an ice machine, toaster, and fridge, as well as coffee and tea for patients.

As a convenience, a support person can order meals from the hospital for $15/day for breakfast, lunch & dinner.
 

The hospital will provide you with information regarding the Service Ontario 4-in-1 Registration Bundle.

The 4-in-1 Bundle allows you to Register your newborn’s Birth and apply for a Social Insurance Number, Birth Certificate, and Child Tax Credits all at once.

Register birth new baby

Every newborn in Ontario has their hearing screened in the community within the first few months of birth. The process is free of charge, simple, reliable, and comfortable for your baby. The technology includes putting a small earphone in the baby's ear and measuring the ear's response. You might need to participate in follow-up testing to confirm the results of your first test.

Skin-to-skin care, also called Kangaroo Care or Kangaroo Mother Care, is holding a baby's bare chest to a parent's bare chest. This practice helps newborns adjust to being outside the womb. It is ideally done immediately after birth and as much as you can during the first few days of life. Skin-to-skin care can be done by both mother and father. It is especially useful for a dad to hold his baby this way if the mother is unavailable or resting.