Giving Birth

What to bring to the hospital

In preparation for your upcoming hospital stay, the Women and Children’s Program in your hospital has developed the following list of items.

For mother: 

• Medicare card
• Robe and slippers
• Comfortable nightwear that allows for skin to skin with baby
• Supportive bra or nursing bra (We encourage sports bras, no underwire)
• Personal items such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, brush/comb, deodorant, soap, and lotions
  • Please no scents!
• Do not wear nail polish or shellac polish
• Full size underwear (4 – 5 pairs, no thongs). You will be given 1 pair of mesh panties for immediate use post-delivery. 
• Sanitary napkins (maxi or super absorbent pads)
• Breast pads
• Breastfeeding pillow if you wish to use one
• Comfortable outfit to wear home
• Prescription medications (Nurse is required to view the actual prescription on the bottle)
• Birth plan (when completed, discuss with physician)

Please note: Do not bring valuable items or large amounts of money to the hospital.

For newborn: 

• 3 – 4 receiving blankets
• 3 – 4 baby sleepers
• 1 blanket
• 1 small package of newborn diapers, size 1
• Small containers of baby soap, diaper cream and shampoo
• Outfit for going home
• Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) approved car seat  

Labour and Delivery Prenatal Classes

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Facebook Live: Breastfeeding Q&A

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COVID-19 Resources

• COVID-19 During Pregnancy
• Pregnancy, childbirth and caring for newborns: advice for mothers (COVID-19) (Health Canada)