Giving birth at St. Paul's Hospital
Information and resources to support you while giving birth at St. Paul’s Hospital.
Overview
To deliver your baby at St. Paul’s Hospital, your first step is to find a care provider to support you during your pregnancy and to deliver your baby.
Your care provider can be a family doctor, registered midwife or obstetrician. Your choice will depend on your health-care needs and personal preferences. If your baby has any medical issues during your hospital stay, a pediatrician may also be part of your care team.
If you choose to have your baby at St. Paul’s Hospital, you will have the experience of delivering your baby in a small, personalized birthing unit, supported by a team of highly qualified and caring staff. We focus on you and your family, taking the time to understand your birth preferences and work with you to make your birthing experience positive and memorable.
Preparing for your delivery
Information on what to expect when you come to the hospital and what to bring with you.
When you arrive at the Pregnancy, Birthing and Newborn Centre
Delivering your baby
Your room will have everything you and baby will need. You can choose to labour in the tub or shower or use a peanut ball to help with your contractions. Medical equipment is stored nearby so that it is easy to access if your health care team needs to use it. We encourage your support person to stay with you throughout your stay.
Once your baby is born, we will place them on your chest. This is called kangaroo care, or skin-to-skin. This initial contact helps you and your baby bond.
Shortly after your baby is born, a pediatrician will check them over to make sure everything is as expected. If your child is experiencing any health concerns, our wider support team of midwives, family practice doctors and pediatricians will ensure your baby gets the care they need.
If you baby requires monitoring or medical intervention after birth, they may spend some time in our neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU for short. The NICU has a team of specialists to care for your baby. A pediatrician and nurses trained in neonatal care will be your baby’s main caregivers.
Having a planned C-section
A caesarean birth or caesarean section is surgery to deliver a baby. (It is commonly called a C-section.) Your baby is taken out through your abdomen (tummy) by cutting an opening in the skin and uterus (womb).
Some pregnant people are scheduled for a planned (elective) caesarean birth. If this is the case, your doctor will book your surgery date.
Caesarean births are done in our operating room. You may have support people with you in the operating room during the surgery, if your doctor or midwife and the anesthesiologist agree.
Vaginal birth after C-section
If you’ve already had one child by C-section, you have the choice to have another C-section with your next pregnancy, or a vaginal birth. It is common for pregnant people to have a vaginal birth after a caesarean section. This type of birth is often referred to as a ‘VBAC’ (sounds like vee-back).
Patient education resources
Last reviewed: March 12, 2025