Prenatal Services & Education

Prenatal Tests

Non Stress Test
Non stress tests are provided to non-labouring women who have been referred by their obstetrician/midwife/family physician. The test involves the painless, external application of abdominal electrodes that monitor the baby's heart rate and activity. This test is designed to monitor the well being of the baby for women who may be at risk for experiencing complications during pregnancy. This procedure is provided in our out-patient clinic by a registered nurse or advanced practise nurse.

The Non Stress Test (NST) takes a minimum of 20 minutes. It is recommended to have something to eat prior to coming to hospital.

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A Baby’s Coming – Prenatal Education

Southlake promotes prenatal education as the most effective way for women to prepare for their childbirth experience and to gain information on how best to care for themselves and their babies following birth.
Classes are taught by a highly experienced team specializing in pregnancy, birth, and newborn care. Each class is designed to assist expectant parents make informed choices both during and after pregnancy. Each course consists of four classes.

• Option A – Four Weekly Classes
  Tuesdays
  7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

• Option B - Weekend
  Friday - 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  Saturday - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Both Options A & B offer the following classes:

• Class 1 – Process of labour and birth
  Signs of labour, when to go to the hospital, breathing, exercises and relaxation techniques
  
  
• Class 2 – Comfort measures
  Pain management (all options presented), birthing, and relaxation techniques
  
  
• Class 3 – When things don’t go as planned
  Information on inductions, caesareans, forceps, vacuum, breech, episiotomy, and laceration. This class includes a tour of the Birthing Unit at Southlake Regional Health Centre.
  
  
• Class 4 – Immediate care of mom and baby following birth
  Includes the baby’s bath, post-partum blues, breastfeeding, and bottle feeding.

Please register early (preferable by 20 weeks of pregnancy). Women expecting more than one child are advised to register earlier.

Prenatal Education Class Schedule
Prenatal Education Registration Form.

Cancellation Policy:

A course refund will only be issued for those cancellations received more than 14 days in advance of the first scheduled class, minus a $25 administration fee.  A refund may be available for those cancellations associated with premature delivery.  

Please note that we are unable to accommodate rearranging class dates due to the limited availability of spaces.

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Prenatal Tours

Southlake Regional Health Centre is committed to providing new and expectant parents with support throughout your pregnancy. Our Prenatal Tours offer excellent education and orientation before you arrive to delivery your baby. These 90 minute tours, conducted by highly-trained nursing staff, include a complete tour of the Birthing Unit and birthing suites, and provide basic education on the care you can expect to receive at Southlake. 

Cost of Tours:
$10.00 per person or $15.00 per couple.  Payment must be received in order to secure your registration. Payment is accepted by cash, cheque, or credit card.

Cash payments can only be accepted at the Cashiers Office, located on Level 1 of the East Building, during regular business hours.

Please mail cheques to:
Southlake Regional Health Centre
Prenatal Services, Box 39
596 Davis Drive
Newmarket, Ontario  L3Y 2P9

Payment by credit card can be made by calling 905-895-4521, ext 2724.

To book a tour:
Call Patient Scheduling at 905-895-4521, extension 2665. 

Birthing Unit Tour Schedule

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For information on resources available to you during your hospital visit or stay (for example: parking, what to bring, discharge times and other helpful information) please click on Patients and Visitors.