Preparing for Birth

How do I take prenatal classes?

Osler offers four-week prenatal sessions at two sites:

Etobicoke General
101 Humber College Boulevard, Etobicoke
Wednesdays from 7:00 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.
Cost: $192
Register by calling: 905-494-6763

Peel Memorial
20 Lynch Street, Brampton
Tuesdays from 7:00 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.
Cost: $192
Register by calling: 905-494-2120 ext. 58031

Do I need to preregister to give birth at the hospital?

No. Your physician or midwife will send your pregnancy records to the hospital.

What are my room options for my hospital stay?

To make your stay with us as comfortable as possible, we are pleased to offer you a choice in the type of hospital room.

After your labour and delivery, you and your baby will be transferred to postpartum care. There, you have the option of three different room types: private (one bed), semi-private (two beds), or standard (three or four beds), depending on availability. Learn more about our room options.

Please check with your insurance company before your stay and ask if you have coverage for a semi-private or private room. Many third-party health insurance plans will cover all or some of the costs for these choices. Please note that we cannot contact your insurance company on your behalf to ask about your coverage.

Regardless of which type of room you choose, you will receive the same excellent care from Osler's team of health care professionals.

What should I pack for myself and my partner?

Bring:

• sanitary pads*
• a few pairs of underwear
• a nursing bra
• house coat, slippers, socks and pajamas
• personal toiletries (e.g. lip balm)
• snacks and drinks for yourself and your support person
• clothes to wear home
• a watch and a pen, to time contractions

Optional items:

• a breastfeeding pillow
• an extra pillow with coloured (not white) pillowcase
• camera
• music (e.g. iPod)

*We will supply you with minimal sanitary pads. You can purchase more supplies at the hospital pharmacy if you run out during your stay.

Please note the hospital is not responsible for lost items.

What should I pack for my baby?

For your baby, you should bring:

• a pack of diapers*
• baby wipes
• several swaddling blankets
• onesies
• an outfit to wear home (onesies, shirt, hat, pants, etc.)
• a car seat

*We will supply you with minimal diapers. You can purchase more supplies at the hospital pharmacy if you run out during your stay.

Please note the hospital is not responsible for lost items.

How do I get to the hospital?

Please see our directions and parking information for detailed information about each of our sites.

How do I get to the Labour and Delivery Unit?

Etobicoke General

If you are not in active labour, use the main entrance off Humber College Boulevard. Go to the central registration desk at the front of the hospital. Please bring:

• your OHIP card
• your William Osler Health System hospital card, if you have one

• any extended insurance benefits cards

If you are in active labour, go directly to the Birthing Unit located on the fourth level. Enter through the Emergency Department, go to the elevators near the main lobby and exit on the fourth level. The unit is locked so please press the buzzer for assistance.

Please note that the front entrance of the hospital is closed after 9:00 p.m.

Brampton Civic

Take the snow elevators near the Emergency Department entrance to the Labour and Delivery Unit registration desk on the third level. Please bring:

• your OHIP card
• your William Osler Health System hospital card, if you have one
• any extended insurance benefits cards

Where should I register when I get to the unit?

Etobicoke General

Please register at the central registration desk located at the front of the hospital. There is no registration on the Labour and Delivery Unit.

Brampton Civic

The registration desk is at the entrance to the Labour and Delivery Unit on the third level.

What does it mean to induce labour? Will I be induced?

Some women do not experience a spontaneous or natural start to labour. If this happens to you, your doctor or midwife may discuss inducing labour. This means they will intervene to help your uterus begin to contract.

Inductions are usually booked in advance. Your doctor or midwife will inform you of the date you are booked. The nurse will call you on your booked day to let you know when to come to the hospital. When you arrive, you will proceed to the Labour and Delivery Unit for your induction.

Learn more about inducing labour.

How can I prepare for a vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC)?

After a C-section, some women choose to give birth vaginally with their next baby. For most women this is a safe option.

Benefits for mom:

• experiencing a natural childbirth
• recovering more quickly
• returning home from hospital faster
• avoiding abdominal surgery and the associated risks
• lower risk of infection

Benefits for baby:

• smoother transition to life outside of the womb
• earlier skin-to-skin contact with mom
• quicker start to breastfeeding

Your chance of having a VBAC may be higher if you:

• have a healthy pregnancy
• have a low horizontal scar on your uterus
• go into labour on your own
• have had a vaginal birth before
• had a previous caesarean birth due to a breach presentation, twins or problems with the placenta

Your chance of having a VBAC may be lower if:

• you are overdue
• your labour does not start on its own and you need to be induced
• you are significantly overweight
• you have had more than one caesarean birth

VBAC and repeat caesarean births both have different risks. Speak with your doctor or midwife about which option is best for you and your baby.

We also offer VBAC class once a month to discuss risks and benefits with expecting parents. If your obstetrician or midwife recommends this, please call 416-494-2120 ext. 58031 to book your appointment.

How do I prepare for my scheduled C-section?

If your surgery is pre-booked:

• you will have an appointment at the hospital the day before your surgery. We will take a blood sample and explain more about your surgery at this time.

• do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. However, if your surgery is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., you may have a light breakfast (e.g. toast, cereal) before 8:00 a.m. and clear fluids until 11:00 a.m.

On the day of your surgery:

• you must arrive two hours before your scheduled C-section time. For example, you must arrive at 6:00 a.m. if your surgery is scheduled for 8:00 a.m.
• you must shower the evening before and morning of your surgery

We highly recommend a chlorhexidine sponge to cleanse your skin. These are available for purchase at a hospital pharmacy (Rexall at Brampton Civic or the pharmacy located in the Etobicoke Wellness Centre).

Can a support person come with me if I'm having a C-section?

One support person may join you in the operating room for a C-section. Support persons must:

• remain seated and in the room during the entire surgery. The nurse will let you know when and where you can go to take pictures of the baby
• refrain from taking phone calls during the surgery
• remember they are not able to:
  • view the surgery
  • videotape during the surgery
  • touch any equipment or supplies

If you are unable to hold your baby skin-to-skin after the birth, your support person may do so. Skin-to-skin contact helps with baby's breathing, temperature and transition to the outside world.

What if I want a birthing ball to help me during labour?

You may bring your own ball to assist with productive labour positions.

How do I register for public cord blood banking?

There are five easy steps to donate your baby's cord blood:

1. talk to your doctor, nurse or midwife
2. Visit the Canadian Blood Services website to register for cord blood donation or get a cord blood registration kit from your health care provider
3. give your signed consent form to your doctor or midwife at your next visit
4. inform hospital staff of your wish to donate
5. donate your baby's cord blood, which a professional will collect

At this time, this service is only available at Brampton Civic. Please provide 6-8 weeks' notice to ensure all forms are completed and received before your delivery date. Free interpreter and translation services are offered in Punjabi, Simplified and Traditional Chinese Mandarin, Cantonese and Arabic. Contact cordblood@blood.ca to request this service.

More information

• Learn more about donating cord blood
• Learn more about your options for cord blood banking

I'm a surrogate. What should I expect?

We're here for you. Please contact the clinical nurse specialist at 905-494-2120 ext. 50034.

What support is available for pregnancy loss?

Our early pregnancy loss clinic is available to women who have experienced pregnancy loss. We can usually see you within two to three days. Any physician can refer you to this service.