Childbirth

Welcome to Grand River Hospital's Childbirth Program - also known as the Majorie Carroll Childbirth Centre, in recognition of Marjorie's significant contribution to hospital fundraising as the chair of campaign KW.

We are the largest community hospital-based obstetrical program in Waterloo Region and deliver approximately 4,200 babies each year - about 80 babies a week - through the support of skilled and dedicated staff including obstetricians, nurses, midwives, anesthetists, lactation consultants, social workers and many others.

Arrival: The childbirth unit is located at the hospital’s KW Campus, 835 King Street West, in Kitchener on the fourth floor of the hospital, primarily in the D Wing.The main entrance is at 835 King Street West. It has a revolving door. Patients and visitors are welcome to use this entrance. It is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day. After 11 p.m. labour and delivery patients must enter through the emergency department.

For more information on choosing a hospital room / childbirth billing please click here.

Download: Booking request - Outpatient RhIG (WinRho)

Care partners/visitors in the childbirth unit:

• Childbirth patients may identify two Care Partners to support them during labour, birth and postpartum.
• Two Care Partners may accompany the patient for outpatient visits. This includes obstetric appointments and newborn appointments (no siblings are permitted at this time).
  
• After the baby is born, only one Care Partner will be allowed to stay overnight.
• During obstetric triage visits, one Care Partner may accompany the patient.
• If the patient is suspected of having COVID-19 or is COVID positive, their Care Partner(s) must remain in the room with the patient in isolation. Meals will be provided.

Please note that midwives are registered health care professionals. You do not need to designate your midwife as a ‘Care Partner’; they will be able to join you in hospital just like the rest of our GRH childbirth team. Doulas, however, are unregistered support people. If you wish to have a doula, they must be chosen as your ‘Care Partner’.

Exceptions for COVID-19 positive or COVID-19 suspect patients, and for patients on any unit that is currently in COVID-19 outbreak:

Patients who have COVID-19, or are waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test cannot have in-person visits, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

We do not allow in-person visits on units that have a current COVID outbreak, for the safety of patients and care partners. If you believe you are an exceptional circumstance, please call 519-742-3611 and ask to speak with the manager of the unit where your loved one is receiving care

We know that not every case is the same. “Exceptional circumstances” generally include:

· Patients near end of life, or at high risk of last possible meaningful interaction;

· Patients who are critically ill, or receiving palliative care or receiving a potentially traumatic test result/prognosis;

· Patients experiencing a mental health crisis; and/or

· Individuals providing care to a patient who would be at risk if the personal care provider or care partner were not available. This includes infants, children and adults/seniors with dependencies of some kind (such as communication, physical or cognitive impairments). “At risk” includes but is not limited to the potential for physical/psychological harm, delayed recovery, further decline, prolonged hospitalization and compromised treatment decision-making and care planning.

If you feel your case warrants an exemption from our Care Partner guidelines, please call 519-742-3611 and ask to speak with the manager of the area where your loved one is receiving care.

Our model of care

At Grand River Hospital (GRH), we view childbirth as a natural process and a normal life event. Our emphasis is on providing excellent patient and family-centred care. Our goal is for you to have a safe and satisfying experience. We aim to have you return home with your family as soon after delivery as it is safe for you and your baby.

We offer a single room labour-deliver-recover-postpartum (LDRP) model of care (4th floor D-wing) where it is possible to spend your entire birthing stay in our specially equipped rooms. Our separate postpartum unit (4A) provides postpartum care for women who have Caesarean birth or require a longer hospital stay. We perform Caesarean births, if indicated, in our obstetrical operating suites. We have obstetricians, midwives, and family doctors who deliver babies at GRH.

GRH is a Level IIB facility, which means we deliver babies 32 weeks gestation or greater for patients with low to moderate risk pregnancies. We have a fully equipped Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with specialized pediatrician support. For high risk pregnancies, we work closely with Hamilton Health Sciences Centre as a referral partner for mothers or babies who require higher-risk care. Well-babies 32 weeks gestation or greater are cared for at GRH.

We have a dedicated interdisciplinary team at GRH that extends beyond our doctors, midwives, and nursing staff. We are here to deliver excellent care to you and your family.

We hope that this information is helpful and that your stay is as comfortable as possible. Should you have any questions, we invite you to email us. This link will open up an email that you can populate to send to our childbirth program at info@grhosp.on.ca

Accessibility - Working together to meet your needs

Grand River Hospital supports the rights of all persons with disabilities to safe and equal access to the facilities, services, and programs the hospital has to offer. If you need support to access our services, ask your obstetric provider to arrange a referral with our Clinical Nurse Specialist who will meet with you in advance of your birth to prepare a plan for your care.

Code of Conduct

At Grand River Hospital (GRH) we believe that all patients, visitors, and healthcare team members deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. To share this message, our philosophy of care is posted in the hospital’s hallways and clinical areas.

We believe that the way we treat each other affects everyone’s health and safety. In the information on this website, you will find out what you can expect from us, what we expect from you, what you can do to be safe while you are in the hospital, and how you can be a part of your healthcare team. Please take some time to review this information and share with your family and visitors.