Labour and birth services temporarily redirected from Upper River Valley Hospital

(WATERVILLE) Friday, Oct. 3, 2025 – Horizon wishes to inform the public labour and birth services will be temporarily unavailable at Horizon’s Upper River Valley Hospital (URVH) from Monday, Oct. 6 at 8 a.m. until Friday, Oct. 17 at 8 a.m.

All pregnant individuals who would normally deliver their babies at URVH will need to travel to Horizon’s Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital (DECRH) in Fredericton.

The reason for this change is due to a lack of surgical and anesthesiology coverage to provide emergency caesarian sections (C-sections).

Even if a pregnant individual feels they are low-risk and do not require a C-section, they must still travel to the DECRH for labour and birth, as pregnancy-related issues and emergency situations can quickly arise during childbirth.

All individuals in the URVH service area who are 35 weeks pregnant and over have been contacted by nursing staff.

Horizon understands this temporary change will require additional travel for expectant families in the Upper River Valley area, and we sincerely appreciate their patience and understanding.

Horizon is committed to providing all pregnant New Brunswickers with safe, high-quality care that is close to home.

Recruitment to strengthen labour and birth services at URVH remains a high priority. Please be assured that all pregnant individuals will receive safe and quality care at any Horizon facility while we work to fill these service gaps.

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