While in Hospital - Brightshores Health System

Birthing Unit

Brightshores Health System (Brightshores) Owen Sound hospital is the main delivering hospital in Grey and Bruce County. We are a Level 2 regional center and deliver babies from 32 weeks gestation and beyond. Our Birthing Unit features semi private accommodations (shared bathroom/shower). Each room is equipped with a birthing bed, fetal monitor and infant care unit. We also offer a hydrotherapy tub. On the Birthing Unit is a caesarian section recovery room where you can recover from your caesarian section with your support person and be skin-to-skin with your baby. Our Birthing Unit is staffed with well-educated and trained Registered Nurses, 5 Obstetricians, and a team of midwives.

Patient Education

Postpartum Unit

This is where you and your baby will spend time after your baby’s birth until you are ready to be discharged home. It features semi private accommodations (shared bathroom) and 2 private rooms (as available). We strive for family centered care at Brightshores and offer cots for dad/support person to stay and participate in the care of your new baby. The nurses are skilled in caring for families with new babies. A nurse is assigned to care for you and your baby for each shift.

Intensive Care Nursery

Brightshores offers a 6 bed Intensive Care Nursery where babies born early or needing special care are looked after. The Intensive Care Nursery is staffed with educated, well trained Registered Nurses, 4 Pediatricians and a team of Registered Respiratory Therapists. If you have a baby in the Intensive Care Nursery we offer a parent room for mothers to stay and be a part of their baby’s care.

When to come to Hospital

This is the question everyone wants to know. There is no easy answer to this question. If you think that you are in labour, sit and time your contractions. If your contractions are 5-8 minutes apart (1st baby) or 8-10 minutes apart (already had a baby) from the start of one contraction to the start of the next contraction, and lasting 40-60 seconds for at least an hour, you may be in labour. Please call the Birthing Unit at (519)376-2121 ext.2321 and prepare to come in. If you are with the Midwives, please call your Primary Midwife on call.

If your membranes rupture (watery vaginal discharge), please call the Birthing Unit. Be prepared to come to hospital, whether you are having contractions or not. Mucousy, blood tinged vaginal discharge can occur several days before your baby is born. If you have bright red bleeding like a period, call and come to hospital immediately.

If you are 37 weeks gestation or less and experiencing any back pain or abdominal pain or experiencing signs of labor, please call the Birthing Unit and come to the hospital immediately.

If you have any questions or concerns about your pregnancy or your baby, please don’t hesitate to call your Doctor, Midwife or the Birthing Unit (519)376-2121 ext.2321.

Please call the hospital BEFORE coming

What to bring to the Hospital

Personal health information: health card and health insurance
Personal care items: sanitary pads, toothbrush, hairbrush, etc.
Clothing for baby: sleepers, receiving blankets, wipes and diapers
Clothing for mom: pajamas (hospital gowns are available), comfortable street clothes, slippers, underwear, and supportive nursing bra
Car seat: must be Canadian approved infant car seat. Look at CMVSS label and expiry date on car seat
Pillow: might help you relax and sleep better, nursing pillow
Snacks/Drinks: for dads or support person. Vending machines are available in Emergency waiting area and Cafeteria. Tim Hortons is open 6:30am-6:30pm daily.
Valuables: Please leave at home
If you wish to listen to music in labour, there is a bluetooth speaker available in each birthing room for you to connect your personal device to

Registration

When you arrive at the hospital during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm) Please go to Central Registration located on the main level. If you arrive after 4:30pm or on a weekend, please register at the Emergency department. Please have your health card with you.

Arrival to Birthing Unit

Our birthing unit assesses women who are 20 weeks and over in their pregnancy for pregnancy related problems and labour assessment. Any non-pregnancy related issues will be looked after in the emergency department.

Upon arrival, the nurse will check your baby’s heart rate, and if you are in labour, check your cervix to see if you are dilated. After the assessment is complete, your doctor will decide whether to admit you, keep you for observation or send you home.

Visiting Hours

*Visiting hours for family and friends; two persons at your bedside at a time.

Brightshores Health System – Owen Sound
2:00pm – 8:00pm daily

When you do not wish to be disturbed, place a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door and unplug your phone. Telephone calls are not put through to the patient after 10:00pm

All visitors who have cold/flu-like symptoms must not visit.

Please note: Your support person may stay with you day and night.