Childbirth Care (Obstetrics)

About This Program

Welcome to Cambridge Memorial Hospital  Women and Children’s Program. We are a community hospital-based obstetrical program in the Waterloo Region, delivering over 1400 babies each year. Our  vision is to provide excellence in family centered care that focuses on the values of comfort, respect and choice. Childbirth is a wonderful experience, a very special time in a family’s life and we feel honoured to share this with you. We are here to provide you with care and support that considers you and your family’s unique needs.

Click the photo to see a video of our birthing suites and special care nursery:

Birthing Suite

Services

Antenatal Assessment (Triage)

All women are seen immediately if they come to the hospital in labour. Prior to admission to the birthing area, assessment will be made by a physician and nurse to ensure that active labour has begun.

Omama's Step by step guide to pregnancy

Birthing Area

The birthing area consists of six labour/birthing/recovery (LBR) rooms, an assessment and triage area. A multidisciplinary team of nurses, obstetricians, midwives and family physicians provide care during labour, birth and the post-partum period. 

Mothers and babies remain in the birthing area for approximately three hours following birth to facilitate bonding, initiate breastfeeding and to provide some privacy for the family to celebrate the birth of their new baby. Mothers and new babies are then transferred to the postpartum unit.

Post-Birth Care

  • There are 15 large postpartum rooms for mothers and their new babies.

  • We are here to help you learn how to care for yourself and your baby. We will provide you with a “Post-Birth Teaching Checklist.” If you or your partner have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask us. Your success in achieving your feeding goals is important to us. We are trained to support, assist and educate you. Rest is important for yourself and your baby as you prepare for your discharge home. Your support person is welcome 24 hours a day.

  • Handwashing is the most important thing we can do to prevent the spread of infection. For you and your baby’s safety, everyone who comes into your room must wash their hands when they enter, when they have touched something other than your baby (e.g. changed a diaper), and when they leave. To protect the health of you and your baby, family or visitors are not to visit if they are ill.

  • Your baby may have bloodwork and a hearing test done prior to discharge. Otherwise, they will be booked to return to the Women & Children's Outpatient Clinic, midwife or community centre (hearing testing). 

  • Resource for Parents:

Healthy Babies, Healthy Children (HBHC)

  • In partnership with the Regional of Waterloo Public Health, CMH has successfully implemented the prenatal component of “ Healthy Babies, Healthy Children (HBHC)”. This provincial initiative provides universal risk screening/early intervention for all pregnant women in Ontario. The initial risk assessment is carried out in the New Beginnings Registration Clinic.

**For all enquiries and registration information, please call (519)621-2333 ext. 4355.**

What I Need to Know

Please bring any personal assistive devices that you require for your appointment. For example, any communication or mobility device you may need like a walker, hearing aid, etc.

What to bring to the hospital

If you are a mom-to-be, please bring:

  • Ontario Health Card and Insurance information
  • medications you take regularly in labeled pharmacy containers
  • feminine pads (2 packs)
  • clothing: underwear (3 – 6), slippers, pyjamas, housecoat, socks, nursing bra & pads, extra change of loose-fitting clothes
  • personal care items: toothbrush & paste, mouthwash, soap, brush, shampoo, lotion, lip balm, etc.
  • things that make your labour more comfortable (pillow, music, hot pack)
  • camera/phone
  • pillows, breastfeeding pillow (optional)
  • popsicles (optional)
  • pen

Please bring for your newborn or your baby who is in hospital:

  • 1 – 2 packs newborn or age appropriate diapers
  • wipes, barrier cream
  • sleepers
  • clothing for trip home
  • undershirts, socks & hats
  • receiving blankets
  • safety-approved car seat

If you are the support person of a woman or infant, please bring:

  • pillow, sleeping bag
  • change of clothes
  • food & drinks labeled with name

Due to allergies, do not bring to the hospital:

  • perfumes,
  • latex balloons or
  • lilies

Pain Management

There are pain management options for you including epidural services through our Acute Pain Service. 

FAQs

How long will I need to stay in hospital after giving birth?

  • The length of your stay depends on how you and your baby are feeling. Mothers giving birth vaginally usually stay in hospital 24 hours after the baby is born. Mothers giving birth by Caesarean (C-section) are generally in hospital 48-72 hours (two or three days) after the baby is born. Early discharge may be discussed with your doctor or midwife.

What do I bring to the hospital?

  • To ensure a comfortable stay, you will need to pack for your new baby, your support person and yourself.  For a checklist of recommended items to pack, click here.
  • Please leave valuables at home.  We cannot be responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items.
  • Please note that CMH does not supply the following items:  diapers, pads and undergarments.
  • Infant security tags, baby blankets, hospital scrubs or “greens”, gowns and other linen are hospital property and should not be taken home.

Who can stay with me during my labour and delivery?

  • For the safety of you and your baby, two support persons are welcomed during your labour. If a C-section is needed, only one support person may accompany you into the C-section room and the recovery room. Close family members may wait in the family waiting room. You are encouraged to balance rest with visitation after your baby is born. Your primary support person is welcome anytime. Your children are welcome to visit their new baby sibling as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

What are the visiting hours?

  • There are no visiting hours. For your comfort, and the comfort of other families, we ask that no more than 2 visitors be at the bedside. The hours between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am are considered quiet time. 

What type of accommodation will I have once I get to hospital?

  • During your active labour/induction, you will be admitted to a private room where you will stay during your labour, the delivery of your baby and your immediate recovery. You will be moved to either a private, semi-private or ward room (dependent on your coverage and/or bed availability) after your recovery

Resources

Contact

Women & Children’s Program – Obstetrics
519-621-2333 ext. 4355