Toronto Moms -hospitals

[souptin]

Hey friends!

Just wondering what hospitals you have or will be delivering at?. The American girls all talk about the hospital providing all kinds of stuff to the mom (peri bottles, pads, basic pp supplies and the like) is this the norm for us too? Any tips on things to pack? FWIW I'll be delivering at sunnybrook.

[momofcatan]

I have a friend who delivered at sunnybrook (3 years ago) and I think she said that for $10 she got a bag with a bunch of stuff she needed.

Where I delivered they gave me a peri bottle, pads, diapers for LO. I asked for a couple extra robes so I could wear one backwards when I walked around and had a spare. Breast pads, flip flops and my own pillow are the only things I can think of that I packed for myself. Things I used once home: overnight pads, tucks pads, lanolin cream, and a big water bottle.

[sympkin]

I delivered at St. Mike's. They did give (huge) post-partum pads, heavy flow regular pads, mesh undies, a few diapers, wipes, a peri bottle.

They do not give you enough if you spend longer than the typical 24 hours though. Any complications and you will run out, which is an awesome little surprise when you are stuck in a hospital bed.

Here's what I'd bring now that I know better:

Extra diapers and wipes.
Regular heavy flow pads. (YMMV but I found the super pads overkill and cumbersome)
Nipple cream of some sort. They were definitely hurting before I was discharged.
A wrap to keep baby on me for sleep because she hated the little plastic bassinets.
A straw cup or big mug for water (my nurses were water fascists)
A towel and other bath stuffs if you want to shower and clean up.

I'm also the type who hates hospital gowns so I brought extra clothes and my own underwear to change into as soon as I was up and moving around.

My hospital was also so freaking hot. They always warn you about cold hospitals but never the reverse so make sure you are prepared for both scenarios!

And finally, if you weren't planning for the private room, shell out the bucks and upgrade if you are going to have to spend more than one night there. It's worth it.

[souptin]

Thanks guys! Great tips.

[amandamh2]

Not Toronto, but up the road here in Kingston we were advised by public health to pick up most items ourselves. It doesn't sound like you get all that much at the hospital which was definitely good to know ahead of time so we can plan for it.

[headisbest]

I am having my little one at Toronto East General. They charge $20 for the post partum pack which includes peri-water bottle, mesh underwear, pads and a few other items for yourself and the baby.

Unsure about your OB/Midwife but my OB already provided me with my pre-registration package for the hospital which provides all this information including questionnaire and request for room.

Personally I still going to pack a bag with a few other things. There are lots of helpful links around on what to pack in your L & D bag as well as what you will need for your new one and if applicable - your partner.

[momofcatan]

sympkin has some great points, I was only in for 24hrs. I packed everything in case I wanted to take a shower, but just waited until I got home.

Re: Private room. My husband's insurance covered a semi-private room, so we only paid about $60 to upgrade to the private room. It was money well spent.

[blush]

Feb 10, 2015 6:09:00 GMT -5 souptin said:

Hey friends!

Just wondering what hospitals you have or will be delivering at?. The American girls all talk about the hospital providing all kinds of stuff to the mom (peri bottles, pads, basic pp supplies and the like) is this the norm for us too? Any tips on things to pack? FWIW I'll be delivering at sunnybrook.

Sunnybrook is an amazing hospital to deliver in. I do not know what they do provide but I know many hospitals here provide little.

They will give the first few diapers and pads but then you are on your own. They used to provide a lot more. When my oldest was born I was given a lot of samples and a new pack of diapers, pads, vaseline etc. When the second was born we were given enough of everything to cover our time in the hospital. With the third I was given enough for the first few hours.

I packed everything I wanted. As PP said my registration package had a lot of information about the hospital, procedures, pain relief, visitor policy, what you need, what is provided etc.

I did stay in longer than 24 hours so I was glad to have things from home.

[carseat]

I had my kiddos at Sunnybrook. They're *wonderful* there. Who's your OB? I saw Pittini with DD, Barrett with the boys (he's the 'twin whisperer'), and Nevo with a high risk pregnancy in between. Everyone I saw there was amazing through all my experiences.

They don't give you the extras. It's $20 for the package with a water cup, peri bottle, giant pads, diapers. It's worth it, really.

ETA: And I agree about a private room over a semi-private if they have them available. I had DD in late 2010, not long after they moved from WCH. I should have been able to recover in my delivery suite but they were understaffed and bumped me to the mat ward. They put us in a room with someone who was only there to pump (her baby was in NICU with jaundice) and she sat up at all hours talking loudly on the phone. We got out as soon as we were able to. When we had the boys we were stuck in a semi-private again (with my 6'3 husband and two bassinets... yeah) and our roommates invited everyone they knew to come in for a visit, so there were constantly strangers traipsing past us (we were in the half of the room closest to the door). Fortunately they were able to move us at some point, but a crappy roommate can make for a miserable recovery.

[souptin]

carseat I've got Dr. Cohen. So far i love him. I'm so glad you had an good experience with sunnybrook! We have our birthing class coming up early next month and I'll ask about getting on that private room. Your tips have all been really appreciated.

[carseat]

Feb 14, 2015 19:22:25 GMT -5 souptin said:

carseat I've got Dr. Cohen. So far i love him. I'm so glad you had an good experience with sunnybrook! We have our birthing class coming up early next month and I'll ask about getting on that private room. Your tips have all been really appreciated.

Oooooh! Is Shelly teaching your class? She's amazing and my experience was so, so much better for having taken that class with her. Please feel free to tag me with any questions!

[manada]

I delivered our twins (who were premature, and didn't survive) at Sunnybrook last year. We were under the care of Dr. Barratt there who I really liked. Honestly, SHSC was GREAT - the labour rooms are huge, and amazing, and if we had been there under better circumstances than an extremely premature birth it would have been a lovely place to be. The nursing staff were wonderful as well, on both the labour ward as well as the high-risk ward.

We found we were only able to get private rooms in special circumstances there. I got one after my cerclage was placed because I was in SO much pain, but the time before when I was hospitalized there they told me there were no semis or privates available (they had one when I needed it a few hours after my surgery).... We also got a private after our babies passed away and we were there for awhile with them. The food is terrible there when you're on a restricted diet, but the cheese sandwiches they give out in the afternoon are delightful. Watch out for parking though! Plan for a minimum of $24 in parking for a daytime visit.


My partner is currently pregnant with our rainbow baby now and we will be going to Mt. Sinai Hospital instead. This is simply because we lost our babies at Sunnybrook and the place feels traumatic to us, so we are going to an equally good hospital downtown. We'll be seeing Dr. Selk there, so we're hoping it's going to be okay. Any tips about Mt. Sinai would be welcome!

[headisbest]

Feb 11, 2015 13:53:07 GMT -5 momofcatan said:

sympkin has some great points, I was only in for 24hrs. I packed everything in case I wanted to take a shower, but just waited until I got home.

Re: Private room. My husband's insurance covered a semi-private room, so we only paid about $60 to upgrade to the private room. It was money well spent.

We are doing the same thing! Both my husband's and I's insurance only cover semi-private. We are just paying the minor difference (if it ends up being anything at all) for a private room.

I would have loved to have the delux private room but I can't be bothered paying over 100 difference just to get a tub.

[KR]

I delivered at Mt Sinai last summer. At that time they were halfway done with post partum room temps, which were really nice! We opted to pay the difference for a private room and don't regret it at all! The hospital gave is his first diaper, but we had to provide subsequent diapers and wipes. They kept him swaddled while we were there and we only brought an outfit to take him home in. They gave me a peri bottle, an inflatable donut (if needed), and pads that you can fill with ice. I definitely recommend taking a few extra of those home if you have hemrroids or tearing. They were definitely used!!! Be sure to bring shower shoes or slippers, extra clothes, a towel (hospital ones aren't the softest). I used adult depends/diapers for the first few days post partum. So much easier to just throw away when dirty. Also bring snack food, again, hospital food wasn't the best and DH didn't get any food provided for him. That's everything I can think of now.

[obi]

If anyone has delivered in Ajax Id love to hear of your experiences. I don't even live in Ajax so I've never been to the hospital for any reason, apart for submitting my registration papers. I have to go there because my OB was selected for me by my endocrinologist and she delivers there.

[carseat]

Mar 2, 2015 11:46:37 GMT -5 obi said:

If anyone has delivered in Ajax Id love to hear of your experiences. I don't even live in Ajax so I've never been to the hospital for any reason, apart for submitting my registration papers. I have to go there because my OB was selected for me by my endocrinologist and she delivers there.

If you don't have any luck here, it might be worth making friends in the waiting room at your next appointment! A lot of women go back to the same hospitals they've delivered at previously - I returned to twice after my first experience, even though I had moved out west to the suburbs and live much closer to another excellent hospital. Chances are you'll come across someone else there who has already been through L&D at Ajax.

[obi]

Mar 2, 2015 13:09:25 GMT -5 carseat said:

Mar 2, 2015 11:46:37 GMT -5 obi said:

If anyone has delivered in Ajax Id love to hear of your experiences. I don't even live in Ajax so I've never been to the hospital for any reason, apart for submitting my registration papers. I have to go there because my OB was selected for me by my endocrinologist and she delivers there.

If you don't have any luck here, it might be worth making friends in the waiting room at your next appointment! A lot of women go back to the same hospitals they've delivered at previously - I returned to twice after my first experience, even though I had moved out west to the suburbs and live much closer to another excellent hospital. Chances are you'll come across someone else there who has already been through L&D at Ajax.

Great idea, thank you! 

[roundtwoomg]

I was at Mt. Sinai for my son (2012) and I feel like they gave me enough stuff to get us through the standard 24ish hours after birth. Definitely splurge for the private room - the upgrade wasn't that expensive! And shower shoes - good call.

If you get a good nurse, they will give you access to some magic snack spot where they will bring you (really basic) sandwiches etc if you happen to get hungry between meals. Food there is pretty gross.

I'm at Sunnybrook this time because I'm with a midwife who has privileges there so it is great hearing all of your tips!

[catladymeow]

I didn't know there was a Canadian forum! I'll be delivering at Sunnybrook in July. I haven't taken the tour yet, so I have nothing helpful to add, just wanted to give a shout out and thanks to those who gave info on Sunnybrook!

[lilrubberduckie]

I have never delivered in Toronto. But after watching a video of a mom talk about her experience, I vowed I would never deliver at William Osler / Etobicoke General by Humber College. www.youtube.com/user/TweedleTee10/videos did a series where she talked about the birth of her 1st son. I couldn't handle it, I was crying the whole time. I made a note in my Baby document so i would remember to never go to L&D there. Best of luck to you ladies.