It has taken some time, but through the support of our community and many important stakeholders, the Birthing and Newborn Centre opened on Dec. 10, 2008. This all-new addition to our Rouge Valley Centenary hospital campus (located at the corner of Ellesmere and Neilson Roads) is state-of-the-art.

The Birthing and Newborn Centre reflects best practices in maternal and newborn services, including the following:

• Modern, comfortable birthing rooms that have been designed to accomodate families and friends, and

• Highly advanced equipment and expertise for looking after more complicated deliveries and high-risk babies.

Features

16 Labour, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum (LDRP) rooms that each look like a well-furnished bedroom, with hardwood floors, fitted wood cupboards, attractive decorating, soft lighting, and a comfortable armchair or couch. High-tech medical equipment such as monitors and baby warmers are concealed in the cupboards and other furniture. The bed converts into a state-of-the-art delivery table. In the private washroom, a whirlpool tub is available as an alternative form of pain management. The chair or couch converts to allow the father to stay comfortably in the room overnight. There is seating for up to five people, to ensure that family and friends feel welcome.     Download a high-resolution version of photo.

A brand new Advanced Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, built adjacent to  modern, state-of-the-art operative birthing rooms.     Download a high-resolution version of photo.

• A Family Lounge with comfortable chairs and couches, a children’s play area, a telephone and internet access. This is an area for families to relax while awaiting the birth of a baby, or when visiting the mother and baby after birth. The lounge also offer a small library of educational material, to help families feel a part of the birthing and baby care process.
• Four private care-by-parent rooms for parents to look after babies who may be admitted for prolonged periods.

Two overnight hostel rooms for mothers and families who have been discharged before their babies are ready to go home.     Download a high-resolution version of photo.

What the Birthing and Newborn Centre means for Rouge Valley

Our obstetrical facilities at Rouge Valley Centenary (RVC) hospital date to the hospital's opening in 1967, when childbirth was treated more as a medical process. Women went through labour in one room, transferred to a delivery room for the birth, and recuperated in recovery rooms and in-patient wards — much as if they were undergoing surgery. A mother's only access to her baby was at regular feeding times, and visitation by the rest of the family was limited.

The former labour and delivery ward at RVC had no room to expand, making it difficult to offer the family-centred care we believe in. Most mothers were able to go through labour and delivery in one room, but then had to be transferred to another floor of the hospital to recover.

With the new Birthing and Newborn Centre all of this has changed. Now our priority is to keep mothers—and their families—in the same room for the duration of their birthing experience.

Labour of Love Campaign's successful close

Bringing the Birthing and Newborn Centre to life required the commitment of many people and organizations, including the Rouge Valley Health System, government, local businesses and members of our community. Thanks to generous donors and sponsors, 10% of the building cost and 100% of the equipment purchases in this new centre were funded by gifts, representing $4.3 million of a $20.7 million project.

If you would like to help to continue to support the Birthing and Newborn Centre through a donation, please contact the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation at (416) 281-7342.

Get more information

• "It's a girl!"—Read our news release on the Birthing and Newborn Centre's first baby
• Are you expecting?—Get information on the hospital's maternal and newborn services

back to the top