Obstetrics

As part of our commitment to quality and patient safety, MAHC participates in the Managing Obstetrical Risk Efficiently (moreOB) program.  The moreOB program is a three-year professional development program for birthing units that integrates evidence-based practice standards and guidelines with current and evolving safety concepts, principles, and tools to support the highest standard of care in a collaborative environment with effective teamwork and communication.

Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare provides low-risk obstetrical services that are patient centred at our Level I hospital sites in Bracebridge and Huntsville. 

A team of family physicians, midwives and nursing staff bring a family-friendly approach to compassionate care during labour and delivery, and post-partum care after your baby is born.  Your birthing experience is an individual one with personalized care by a dedicated team of providers that can also include other health professionals, such as surgical and anaesthesiology teams when, for example, caesarean sections are necessary, allied health, and consultative access to Obstetricians and Paediatricians as required. 

Prenatal Care

Learn more about accessing prenatal care in Muskoka.  Learn more about what to expect at the hospital during COVID-19 in our preadmission handout.

Support During & After Labour

During labour, a midwife or an obstetrical nurse provides one-on-one care.  You may designate two support people to be present with you during labour. 

There are many different options to help you through your labour, including birthing aids like a birthing ball or stool, and labour tub with jets, and pain medications and epidurals.  After your baby arrives, nurses and midwives are available to assist with breastfeeding initiation.  You can also be connected with a lactation consultant.

After your baby arrives, family and other visitors are welcome to visit in keeping with our guidelines for visiting.

What to Bring to Hospital

Please refer to the list in the Overnight Stay section of our website.  As well, you may want to bring:

• Food, snacks, water bottle
• Special toiletries, including large, super absorbent sanitary pads
• Comfortable clothing, such as robes, slippers, flip flops, loose-fitting, large underwear or adult diapers i.e. Depends®
• Clothes to wear home
• Camera and electronics, massage tools, music
• Your own pillow
• Nursing bra
• Sleepers, diapers, wipes, blankets for baby
• Infant car seat with a CMVSS safety standard sticker for going home

Take a Birthing Unit Tour!

Watch a short video of the labour and delivery environment at each site.

Locations and Contact Information

South Muskoka Memorial Hospital Site
Phone: 705-645-4404, ext. 3272
Fax: 705-645-5895

Huntsville District Memorial Hospital Site
Phone: 705-789-2311, ext. 2261
Fax: 705-789-3480

Please consider calling the unit as labour commences, so we can be prepared for your arrival.  If there is an emergency, please go directly to the Emergency Department.