FBC Programs & Services
Prenatal classes
Montfort Hospital, in partnership with Ottawa Public Health, offers prenatal classes in both French and English. The program has two components: The first involves three classes and starts before or near your 16th week of pregnancy; the second starts around the 30th week of pregnancy and involves four classes. For information, contact the Ottawa Public Health Info Line at 613-580-6744, ext. 28030.
Information evening for future parents
To plan for your delivery, we call you near your 34th week of pregnancy to invite you to an information session at Montfort Hospital during which a registered nurse gives you a virtual tour of the FBC, explains what you need to do to get ready and answers your questions about your hospital stay. You also fill out hospital admission forms when you come for the session.
Triage unit
If you’re more than 20 weeks pregnant, you first come to an obstetrical evaluation (triage) unit at the entrance of the Family Birthing Centre for an assessment of your status and that of your baby. Based on the results of the evaluation, you and your health care professionals decide on the need to admit you or not. If you have any questions or concerns, do contact your doctor or midwife first. If needed, you can also contact the triage nurse at 613-746-4621, extension 4909.
If you are less than 20 weeks pregnant and wish to see a health care provider, please contact your doctor or midwife, or go to the hospital’s emergency department.
Start of labour
If you are in early labour (known as the “latent phase”), and you don’t need to be admitted but prefer to remain at the hospital because of bad weather or distance from home, you can relax in the company of your spouse or significant other in the “Early Labour Lounge”. It’s a safe and quiet place with a TV, a DVD player and a range of other activities to help you relax and manage your contractions.
Breastfeeding
Montfort Hospital recognizes that breastfeeding is the best nutritional choice for newborns. That’s why the FBC not only has a policy designed to promote successful breastfeeding, but also ensures its nursing staff provides you with close support during your hospital stay. Our lactation consultant can also give you extra help while you are at the hospital and, if needed, by appointment at our outpatient breastfeeding clinic after you leave the hospital.
Special Care Nursery
The FBC has a new neonatal unit for newborns who need a few hours of observation or need to be admitted because of health problems. Only two people at a time can visit the baby in the neonatal unit, and one of them (mother, father or significant other) has to wear the baby’s identification bracelet. Siblings and grand-parents can also come to the neonatal unit provided they comply with the conditions in the Visiting Hours section.