During Your Stay

How long do I stay in the hospital after giving birth?

If you and your baby are healthy, your stay is:

• up to 24 hours after a vaginal birth
• up to 48 hours after a C-section

If you and your baby are stable and meet certain criteria, you may benefit from our Early Transition to Home program. Through this program, you may go home about eight hours after a vaginal birth or 24 hours after a C-section. We will advise if this option is right for you.

What if my baby cries?

Babies cry for many reasons. Research shows that babies who are held cry less, so don't hesitate! It is not possible to “spoil” your baby at this age by responding to their needs.

When your baby cries, you can try:

• holding your baby against you, skin-to-skin
• feeding (feed early and often)
• burping
• changing the baby's diaper
• talking to your baby

If you are too tired, ask a family member or friend to hold your baby. Having a newborn is wonderful, but it can be overwhelming. Don't be afraid to ask for help!

What tests will be conducted on my baby?

When they are about 24 hours old, all babies will have the following tests:

• An Ontario newborn screen: this tests for several rare illnesses. Results will take several weeks.
• A jaundice test: for this test, a small amount of blood is taken from the baby's heel and used to measure your baby's jaundice level. You will have the results before you go home.
• Pre- and post-ductal saturation tests: these non-invasive tests look for congenital heart defects. You will receive the test results the same day.
• A hearing test: this short and painless test is done in your hospital room. If it cannot be done before discharge, you will be called to return to the clinic for an appointment.

What is the visiting policy after my baby is born?

After your baby is born:

• Your support person may stay with you 24 hours a day
• Your partner, children and the baby's grandparents may visit any time during the day or night, as you wish, on the postpartum/combined care unit

If you are in a shared room, please be considerate of other patients. Visiting may be limited if a mother and/or baby need extra medical attention. If you are unsure, please check with your nurse.

How do I ensure my newborn is safe on the unit?

Your baby's safety is our top priority. Safety measures include:

• Two identification bands applied to every baby's ankle or wrist after birth. The name on the bands will match the mother's identification band.
• A policy that all babies must stay on the unit until discharge.

The unit is also locked for optimal security. We recommend limiting your visitors until after you go home.

How do I manage my pain after birth?

Most women experience some degree of discomfort or pain in the first 48 hours after giving birth. Your health care provider may prescribe pain-relieving medications that can be taken safely and pose minimal risk to your baby when breastfeeding.

Your doctor will advise you about pain medication that is right for you. Remember:

• Always take medication as directed
• Use the smallest amount of medication that works well to ease your pain

If you need frequent pain medication, or if your pain persists, ask your doctor for further advice before increasing the frequency or dose of your pain medications.

How do I prepare for my discharge home?

Before you leave the hospital, ensure you have the following:

• Temporary Ontario Health Card for baby
• Child Tax Credit and Birth Registration forms
• discharge summary sheet to take to your baby's doctor
• prescription from your doctor, if needed
• appointment for follow-up breastfeeding clinic, if needed
• telephone number of your doctor or midwife to make an appointment for your baby within 48 hours of discharge

You also need a car seat that meets Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Your nurse can check that you have put your baby in the car seat properly on your way out.

Be sure to dress your baby in clothes appropriate for the weather. This may include an undershirt, sleeper, hat, blanket, mittens, etc. You can wear loose-fitting clothes appropriate for the weather and flat-soled shoes.

Your nurse will go over what to expect once you are home and provide you with a postpartum information sheet.

Who follows up with my baby once I go home?

You must make an appointment for your baby with your family doctor or paediatrician within 48 hours of hospital discharge. If you have a midwife, she/he will visit you at home.

If you wish, you may request extra support from your local public health unit (e.g. Peel Public Health or Toronto Public Health, depending on where you live).

What other support is available in the community?

Hospital supports

• Brampton Civic Hospital outpatient clinic
  By appointment: 905-494-2120 ext. 50076
• Etobicoke General Hospital outpatient clinic
  416-747-3400 ext. 32303
• Headwaters Health Care Centre
  519-941-2410 ext. 4621
• Trillium Health Partners Family Care Centre
  905-848-7653

Breastfeeding supports

Please visit our breastfeeding page for breastfeeding supports in our community.

General community supports

• Rexdale Community Health Centre
  416-744-0066
• York Regional Health Connection
  1-800-361-5653
• Halton Region Health Department
  905-825-6000
• Peel Region Health Department - Healthy Babies Healthy Children
  905-799-7700
• Peel Postpartum Family Support Line
  905-459-8441
• Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health Unit
  1-800-265-7293 x 3616
• Telehealth Ontario
  1-866-797-0000

Other resources

• Mood Disorder Association of Ontario
  416-486-8046
• Poison Information Centre
  416-813-5900
• Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network
  1-888-301-7276

Recommended websites

• Canadian Paediatric Society
• Health Canada
• Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Recommended reading

• Healthy Beginnings: Giving your baby the best start from preconception to birth
  By Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada