During your pregnancy

The Pregnancy, Birthing and Newborn Centre's approach to care.

The St Paul’s Hospital Pregnancy, Birthing and Newborn Centre emphasizes patient- and family-centred care. From our prenatal classes right through to our postpartum support, our goal is for you to have a birth experience tailored to your needs and unique circumstances.

We are passionate about parents and babies; we work hard to ensure that every family receives the right care at the right time at the right place. We have the province’s only cardiac (heart) and renal (kidney) obstetrical programs and we support people with complex medical care through pregnancy, delivery and postpartum.

We also operate a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for babies who require intensive nursing observation and care and have in-house obstetric and anaesthesia coverage, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We are a teaching hospital with students from many different professions. The students are an important part of your health-care team. If you have any concerns about students being involved in your care, please speak to your health-care provider.

We welcome all families with inclusive, accessible, and comprehensive maternity care services. We uphold your right to receive care that is free of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, political or religious beliefs, marital status, age, education or economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability.

St. Paul’s Hospital Pregnancy, Birthing and Newborn Centre is one of British Columbia’s provincial centres for high-risk maternal care. Approximately 20 per cent of the babies born at St. Paul’s are born to parents with complex medical, social or obstetrical needs.

If you are referred to St. Paul’s Hospital because of your care needs, our dedicated complex care coordinator will be your liaison and main point of contact. Their goal is to normalize your experience of pregnancy as much as possible. They will:
- Develop a care plan to support you through your pregnancy, delivery and postpartum. Where possible, they will coordinate your pregnancy and postpartum care in your home community or use virtual visits to minimize your travel.
- Ensure all relevant specialty services are involved in your care.
- Organize diagnostic tests and coordinate appointments.
- Coordinate a one-on-one specialized online workshop to help empower you as a new parent.
- Connect with care coordinators in your local community, as required.
- Refer you to infant feeding resources during pregnancy and after your baby is born.
The team at the Pregnancy, Birthing and Newborn Centre works closely with specialists in cardiology, hematology, nephrology, gastroenterology, acute mental health and addictions, respirology, anesthesiology, rheumatology, and transplantation. This approach means all the specialists involved in your care will meet to share their knowledge and expertise and make plans for a safe delivery for you and your baby.

A pediatrician will be involved to develop care recommendations for your baby. Once your baby is delivered, the pediatrician will assess your child for any risk factors based on your medical condition and ensure your medications or treatment plans are safe for breast feeding.

Read one mom’s story about how the complex care team at St. Paul’s saved her life and ensured the health of her first child.