Client Area
Pain Relief in Labour
There are lots of medical and non-medical options to assist you with pain in labour. Click on the link below to learn more about
https://www.ontarioprenataleducation.ca/pain-medications/
Waterbirth
Giving birth in water is an increasingly popular choice. While not an option for births at Health Sciences North, women having homebirths can elect to have this delivery experience. Click on the link below to read more about:
Waterbirth
Positions for labour and birth
Hands and knees? Upright? Side-lying? Semi-sitting? Have you thought about your choices? Click on the link below to read more about
Positions for Labour and Birth
Who will support you in labour?
Health Sciences North limits you to two support people to help you through your labour. Click on the link below to learn about what you should consider regarding:
Choice Of Birthplace
Click on the link to read more on your options regarding
Information for Mother’s Support Person
A support person can be the woman’s partner, a family member or a good friend.
The benefits of Rooming-in for the support person are
- You take an active role helping the new mother care for herself and her new baby.
- Even if you aren’t experienced at caring for a new baby, you and the new mother will learn from the “mother/baby nurse”. She is there to help the mother and you learn how to care for the baby. The best way to do that is to teach both of you. As mother’s support person you are not considered a visitor.
- Not every mother needs or wants a support person. Some mother’s find it difficult to rest with visitors/support people in her room at all times. Others may want someone to stay for a few hours or the first night or not at all.
- We should always let mother decide if she would like someone to stay. Many women who experience a Caesarean birth however, find it very helpful to have someone stay the first night or two, but remember if no one can stay because of family or job commitments there is a nurse there to look after the mother and her baby.
More Benefits …
- A cot or lounge chair or possibly a bed will be provided for you. We ask that you please bring the following items to make up your bed and care for yourself: towel, bed linen/sleeping bag, pillow
- We ask that the support person please sleep with pajamas or jogging pants
- Washrooms are shared between patient rooms and are strictly for mother’s use only. There is a public washroom on the unit for the support person. It is located across from the orange elevators.
- We also ask that the support person please respect other patients’ and families’ privacy and remain on the 3rd floor except if you are going for meals or leaving the building.
- Unfortunately we cannot provide showers for the support person.
- There are kitchen facilities for you to use. A refrigerator and a microwave are available or you may choose to use the services of the hospital cafeteria on ground floor. Hours of operation are limited. Sandwiches, muffins, “goodies” and beverages are available in the hospital gift shop located on the main floor. It is open daily until 10 p.m. except Sundays until 9 p.m.
Once again we remind you that mother and baby remain together in the same room and a nurse is available to care for them. It is not necessary for every mother to have a support person with her at all times.
Homebirth Supplies
Click here for printable PDF version of list
To have ready at home by 37 weeks:
- Digital thermometer (Celsius)
- Sanitary napkins – both overnight and regular size – avoid “dry weave” and Always brand of pads. Disposable underwear (such as Depends) is an alternative for overnight pads
- Ice pack for perineum after birth
- GRAVOL/Dimenhydrinate – Adult 50mg tablets – drowsy type to help with sleep during early labour
- TYLENOL/Acetaminophen – Extra Strength 500mg tablets – for use in labour and postpartum
- ADVIL/Ibuprofen – 200mg tablets – for POSTPARTUM use only
- Homebirth supplies kit, provided by midwife (birth pool/liner if applicable)
- Prepare a “to-go” birth bag and have it ready with your car seat
Essential Supplies:
- 6 small towels or receiving blankets to dry baby after birth
- 5-10 facecloths or cut up towels for hot/cold compress
- Sheets for bed (see below, How to prepare the birth space)
- Baby clothes – hat, undershirt, sleeper, socks, newborn diapers
- Small bottle of olive oil for perineal massage & newborn skin care (a few ounces is all we need)
- Space heater, if unable to easily raise house temperature
How to prepare the birth space:
- Bed – place clean sheets on the bed then cover with the plastic shower curtains provided in the birth kit. Secure in place with safety pins provided. Cover the plastic with the older set of sheets. This top sheet will be removed after the birth and gives you a clean bed instantly.
- Birth Pool – If you plan to use the inflatable birth pool, instructions on how to use the liner and fill the tub are provided separately.
In the kitchen, please have on hand:
- Juice or other drinks (ie. Gatorade, coconut water, juice boxes)
- Easy to digest food for labour. ie. Toast, plain cookies or crackers, popsicles, etc.
- While attending you at home, your midwifery team will not have the opportunity to leave your home to get food. Snacks, soup or sandwiches are always appreciated.
- Please do not eat bananas or kiwi if Buffy is present because of a severe food allergy.