The Woman & Child Health Program Obstretrics Unit was part of the Hospital's $4.5 million self-funded redevelopment project in 1997. The unit provides a homelike environment to make the birthing experience more relaxed and comfortable.

The Woman & Child Health Program unit has ten rooms in total. Eight of these rooms have birthing beds, which means that a mother stays in that room for labour, delivery, recovery and post-partum (LDRP). This is a family-centred concept of labour and delivery. The mother's partner or any support person she chooses may remain with her during her Hospital stay. The new mother will care for her baby in her room, with assistance from the nursing staff.

There is no nursery in this unit. Babies are cared for by their mother and family and will only leave their mother if a test needs to be done or if there is a clinical need to more closely observe the baby.

Visiting Hours are designed to allow the mother adequate rest periods, opportunity to bond with the newborn, and time and energy to learn about caring for their new baby. Visitors are welcome during regular hospital visiting hours from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. Unlike other units in the hospital, siblings under 12 are allowed to visit.

Programs & Services

The Woman & Child Health Program offers a number of programs and services to expectant mothers and encourages families to attend. These include the following:

24-Hour Telephone Helpline
If you have any questions or need assistance, before or after birth, please call the 24-hour helpline, available seven days a week at 705-328-6150.

Breast Feeding Clinic
The Public Health Unit hosts a Breast Feeding Clinic at the Ross every Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. To register for the clinic, please call 705-324-3569.

Midwifery
A local group of midwives were recently granted privileges to practice at the Ross Memorial Hospital.  At Ross Memorial, we see this as a positive event for local families, as the addition of Midwives will allow us to provide a full range of services, care givers and options for birth events in our community. 

Families who choose a Midwife as their primary care giver will now be able to choose to have their birth experience at the hospital.  Through this partnership with midwives, we help to ensure that families who choose this option also have quick access to additional medical resources should the need arise.

The practice of midwifery has been taking place in the province of Ontario for approximately 30 years.  It became a regulated health profession in Ontario in 1993 with the proclamation of the Midwifery Act. According to the College of Midwives, their philosophy is based on respect for pregnancy as a state of health, and childbirth as a normal physiologic process and a profound event in a woman’s life.  This philosophy fits well with Ross Memorial Hospital’s Family Centered Maternity Care approach.

Prenatal Tours
Expecting parents in their third trimester are invited to attend a free and informal information session and tour of the Birthing Unit. Tours of the unit are held the first Tuesday of each month. Please meet in Admitting at 7:00 p.m. We respectfully request that only adults attend the tour. Registration is not required. For more information please call 705-328-6130. 

Prenatal Education
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit offers prenatal education information through their website at http://www.hkpr.on.ca/.

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