Labour and Delivery
Looking for some reliable information for all stages of your pregnancy (and beyond)?
Visit the OMAMA website and download the app:
Have you already given birth? You can register your baby's birth online, for free, with the Province of Ontario:
Important Notice Regarding Epidural Pain Control and Epidural Anesthesia Services for Labour and Birth
July 28, 2022 - There is a North America-wide shortage of the supplies needed to safely give epidural pain control and epidural anesthesia during labour and birth. These shortages may affect our ability to offer you epidural pain control during your labour and the birth of your baby. You will be offered other methods for pain control that are effective and safe to use to make your labour and birth experience as comfortable as possible.
We encourage you to consider your pain management options and talk with your primary care provider prior to labour. Alternative pain control methods include:
- Inhaled (Entonox or “laughing gas”)
- Intravenous (IV) or into a muscle injection
- Local anesthetic nerve blocks
- Breathing and positioning techniques and other methods without medication
Click here to view the patient information sheet with more information on pain management options for labour.
Please note: At the moment the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) is continuing to provide epidural pain management for labouring women. Please continue to check this webpage for up-to-date information as the situation unfolds.
Giving Birth at BCHS
Every year at BCHS we welcome some 1,500 babies into the world. The Family Birthing Centre has five Labour and Delivery rooms available with 14 beds available post-delivery. Our dedicated team works hard to ensure the whole family is cared for.
| Options for Care and Delivery |
|
Health care providers are working in groups to provide 24 hour care all year around, including holidays and vacations. In Brantford and Brant County, obstetricians, general practitioners and midwives provide maternity care in a normal pregnancy, while complicated cases are usually referred to an obstetrician. It is best to discuss your individual situation with your family doctor. The information gathered during your pregnancy will be recorded on a special ante-natal form. That way, any nurse, doctor, midwife, or other health care provider who reviews your prenatal record can be brought up to date about your pregnancy. |
| Preparing for Birth |
|
Click here to view the downloadable and printable PDF version. The Family Birthing Centre provides excellent care to families with newborns and children. We work in partnership with families and care for them in a supportive manner. To help us serve you better, please see the lists below: For Mom, please bring:
Optional
For Partner/Support Person:
For Baby, please bring:
For Baby, at time of discharge, a car seat is required. |
| Taking Pictures |
|
You are welcome to take pictures before and after your baby's birth but during the birth, you are not permitted to use your cellphone, camera or video equipment. To protect the privacy of BCHS staff, please ask for permission before taking their picture or including them in your video. |
COVID-19 and Pregnancy
For more information on pregnancy during COVID-19 see our Coronavirus and Pregnancy Information pamphlet.
Breastfeeding
Many resources and information about the benefits of breastfeeding are available through the Brant County Health Unit. Many new parents also find taking prenatal classes prior to the arrival of their child helpful.
Partners
BCHS partners with a number of organizations to ensure positive family health. Learn more about the services offered:
|
Brant County Health Unit 194 Terrace Hill St. Brantford, ON N3R 1G7 E-mail: email@bchu.org |
Ohsweken Public Health Office Gane Yohs Health Centre |