Welcome to the Maternity Unit at Halton Healthcare Services Oakville Site
Before you have your baby Please take some time eto read having gthe Having your Baby at Halton Healthcare booklet. You should have received a copy from your care provider. It has useful information on preparing for labour, what to bring to the hospital, caring for yourself and your baby after your delivery and community resources Complete and return your confidential pre registration form this will help streamline your admission process when you do come in labour
Where are we located? The entrance to the Maternity Department is just west of the intersection of Reynolds Street and MacDonald Street. There is a parking lot on MacDonald Street immediately adjacent to the entrance for use by expectant families.
Entrance to the Maternity Department The entrance to the Maternity Department is just off of the MacDonald Street Parking lot The Maternity Department can also be accessed from the main entrance take the elevators from the main lobby and follow the signs along the main corridor
Parking Parking payment is by pay and display. Prices are posted beside the machine. Itisoften moreeconomical economical to purchase a weekly pass for $48 rather than purchasing individual allday passes for $23.50 as you may need to come back to the breastfeeding clinic after you go home for a follow up visit
Visitor Parking Please encourage family members and friends who may be visiting you while you are in hospital to park in the main parking lot
Prenatal Clinic Before you have your baby your care provider may refer you to the Prenatal Clinic for an assessment, ultrasound or non stress test t (much like an exercise test to see how your baby is doing).
When to come to the hospital If you have any questions or concerns about whether you should come to the hospital you can call and speak with a nurse in the birthing suite. Telephone advise is limited as it is hard to assess mom and baby over the telephone. The nurse may ask you to come in to be assessed and will instruct you where to report in Cometo the hospital when any of these things happen: Your contractions are regular or you are uncomfortable You think your water has broken You have bleeding from your vagina There is a change in how often your baby is moving You are concerned about yourself or your baby
Registration Desk An overhead sign in the entrance to the Maternity Department shows you the directions to the Registration ti Desk
Registration Desk If there is no specific need to go to the Birthing Suite quickly please go to the Registration Desk first. Pl bi h lth d d i Please bring your health card and insurance information
Birthing Suites If you had called the Birthing Suite with a concern and were asked to come in, please go directly to the birthing suite. The nurses will send your support person to the registration desk to get your paperwork The overhead sign in the Maternity Entrance will show you the direction to go to get the Labour Assessment Room and the Birthing Suites
Labour Assessment Room Most women will be assessed in our Labour Assessment room unless they are a direct admission for induction, planned Caesarean Section or imminent dli delivery You will be assessed by a nurse, and the nurse will consult with a physician to determine whether an admission is necessary
Labour/Delivery/Recovery Rooms When you are admitted you will be admitted to a LBR Room There are 6 private rooms, some share a washroom These rooms are fully equipped to take care of you during your labour
Labour/Delivery/Recovery Rooms While you are in labour you may have 2 support persons with you Your nurse will let you know what you can eat and drinkwhileinlabour labour
Comfort Measures Your nurse will work with you to help you decide what comfort measures may help you during your labour Some of your choices include: Music Shower/Whirlpool tub Rocking Chair Birthing Ball
Comfort Measures Another option is entonox (laughing gas) Some women choose to have an epidural. We do offer patient controlled epidurals.
After Baby is Born After the baby is born we encourage you hold your baby skin to skin it helps baby regulate its temperature, and supports breastfeeding We encourage you to breastfeed your baby while you are still in the birthing suite The baby will receive a vitamin K injection and eye ointment Depending on the time you delivery you may be able to order something to eat from our Room Service Menu You will be transferred to the postpartum unit 1 to 2 hours after your baby is born.
Caesarean Birth If you require a planned Caesarean birth your care provider will tell you the date and time it is booked. You will be seen in the Prenatal clinic the day before your surgery and will be given instructions about when to come to the hospital
Caesarean Birth Your support person will be able to come in to the operating room with you. Following your surgery you will go to our Recovery room for severalhours and then will be transferred to your postpartum room
Maternal Child Unit (Postpartum) Our postpartum unit has 2 ward rooms (4 beds), bd)8 semiprivate rooms (2 beds) and 4 private rooms Private rooms are available on a first come first served basis Our unit is a combined Postpartum/Paediatric unit so it is not uncommon to see very young patients Your room will have a washroom with shower, telephone and there is a call button beside your bed should you need to call your nurse
Maternal Child Unit Your baby will stay in your room with you unless your baby requires care in the Special Care Nursery. Your nurse is there to share the baby s care and to teach and demonstrate baby care Please bring personal care items for both yourself and your baby (refer to having your baby book)
Special Care Nursery Sometimes babies are born too early or may need extra care (for example Oxygen, an intravenous or special monitoring). i In this case your baby may be admitted to the Special Care Nursery
Maternal Child Unit Meals are available by Room Service from 7 am until 6 pm Please note during peak meal times it may take up to 45 minutes for your meal to arrive Menus are available in your room The cafeteria and Tim Horton s are located on the main floor of the hospital and have limited hours There is also a small kitchen on the unit with a fridge and microwave
Keeping your baby safe You can help keep your baby safe by not leaving your baby unattended in your room All Maternal Child Staff should be wearing hospital identification In addition to the bracelets your baby received when it was born a HUGs tag will also be put on the baby this tag is part of our infant security system If your baby has to be taken out of your room for a test or procedure you can accompany your baby
Maternal Child Unit A significant sg other may stay overnight to help in a supportive way. Please respect the fact there may be a roommate Pull out sleeper chairs hi are available on a first come first served basis Empty beds are not to be used by overnight guests
Maternal Child Unit An average aeagee length of say stay for vaginal deliveries is 24 to 48 hours and 48 to 72 hours for Caesarean births Criteria must be met by all mothers and newborns prior to discharge No one will be discharged prior to it being safe
Tender Loving Care Center and The breastfeeding clinic is located on the Maternal Child Unit and operates 7 days a week It is staffed by Registered Nurse Lactation Consultants who will provide breastfeeding support by appointment after you go home Your nurse may request a consultation before you go home if she feels you need additional support or follow up The Tender Loving Care Center is a store in the Breastfeeding Clinic that has baby items, and breastfeeding supplies. It also has breast pumps available for rental. It is open whenever the breastfeeding clinic is open Breastfeeding Clinic
Before you go home Your baby will be examined by either your family physician i or one of our pediatricians Your baby will have a hearing test andbloodtest for newborn screening If the care provider who will be following your baby after you go home is not affiliated with Halton Healthcare, please have their name, address available so that we can ensure that they receive the results of newborn screening tests
Before you go home You will receive your baby s OHIP number pleasenote ittakes takes awhilefor your baby s OHIP card to arrive in the mail, so keep this piece of paper safe Birth Registration is electronic through Service Ontario and the first part will be completed ltdby the hospital Please ensure your car seat is installed in your car The Public Health Nurse will visit Monday to Friday if you have consented to the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program If your baby requires follow up for bilirubin you will come back for blood work the next day. You will receive a lab requisition and instructions on what to do before you go home
Please help us create a restful environment by encouraging brief visits and limit the number of visitors at a time We follow Family Centered Care principles and are sensitive to diversity We welcome family as you and your significant other define it We have visiting guidelines to help support rest times for mom and new baby We have two waiting rooms/lounges where you may spend time with visitors if you do not want to visit in your room If you have concerns during or after your stay please contact the Patient Care Manager Kathryn Doren Visiting
Once you are home Please make sure that you make follow up appointments for both you and your baby Your baby should be seen by your care provider 24 to 48 hours after you leave the hospital You will need to see your care provider 4 to 6 weeks following your delivery Contact your Healthcare Provider if you have Contact your Healthcare Provider if you have any concerns about your baby s health
Once you are home TheHaving Your Baby at Halton Healthcare has a listing of community resources, and websites which are good sources of information for new parents. Congratulations!