Community Support Available
The towns of Oakville and Milton, and surrounding communities, have several support groups available for expecting parents, new parents, and parents of children with special needs. You can download our list of available community resources .

The Halton Parenting Directory is a comprehensive listing of parenting programs and workshops aimed at helping parents and other caregivers access learning, support and information. The directory covers September 2011 to January 2012.

Parent Participation Opportunities
The Maternal Child Committee is looking for parents that are interested in helping us make our program better. There are many ways to participate, including:

• Family Centred Maternity Care Advisory Committee - Meets monthly from September to June to review policies and procedures, make recommendations and improvements to the program, and discuss how to improve relationships and access to community services.


• Focus Groups - Periodically, the program will hold focus groups to hear from families about particular issues, such as how to design our new Special Care Nursery, visiting hours, etc. There are no specific dates or times, but if you would be interested in being contacted about participating in upcoming focus groups, please let us know.


• Pamphlet Review - The Maternal Child Program is interested in having parents and families review our educational and information materials while they are being developed. Are they clear? Do they address your questions and issues? Please contact us with your feedback.


• Other Opportunities - Do you have a suggestion about how we might involve families in making our program better? Please let us know!

Sky of Stars Baby Wall
The birth of a baby is a very special time - one of many new hopes and dreams - and the Maternal Child Program at Halton Healthcare's Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH) site is proud to be part of your precious memories.

What better way to commemorate the birth of your baby than 'lighting' a star in our Sky of Stars Baby Wall - a whimsical scene with clouds, the Man in the Moon, and brilliant stars located in the Maternal Child Unit. Our Sky of Stars also offers new mothers, paediatric patients, and families a fun diversion from hospitalization.

For a donation of $100 or more, you can mark this joyous occasion with a star bearing your baby's name and birth date to be placed in our magical sky. It's a great way for beaming grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends to show their delight at the arrival of their 'little star'.

For more information on the Sky of Stars Baby Wall , please contact Cindy MacDonald by calling (905) 845-2571, ext. 2610, or by e-mail at cmacdonald@haltonhealthcare.on.ca. You can also download our Sky of Stars Baby Wall Pamphlet.

Birthing Suite
The Birthing Suite at OTMH has two triage beds, six labour/delivery/recovery beds, two obstetric operating rooms and four post-anaesthetic care beds. There is also a whirlpool tub and shower for hydrotherapy during labour.

Breastfeeding Support Clinic
The Breastfeeding Support Clinic is available for breastfeeding advice and assistance to expectant mothers considering breastfeeding and mothers who give birth at OTMH. The clinic is staffed with Certified Lactation Consultants. The Breastfeeding Clinic is open Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and closed Sunday. Appointments are recommended.

For more information about breastfeeding, please visit the Halton Baby Friendly Initiative at www.babyfriendlyhalton.ca

DoulaCARE Program
DoulaCARE can connect you with a trained labour support provider, also known as a "doula". DoulaCARE collaborates with OTMH to provide a volunteer doula program. If you are interested in having a trained doula assist you during labour, please ask your nurse if one is available.For more information, please call 1-888-879-3199.

Gestational Diabetes Education Clinic
Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes may be referred to the clinic for education and support related to this diagnosis.

Maternal Child Unit (Maternity & Paediatrics)
The Maternal Child Unit has 19 postpartum and six paediatric beds. Following birth, the mother and her infant are cared for on the Maternal Child Unit. Healthy mothers and babies stay together in the same room throughout their hospital stay. Their stay can vary from a few hours to a few days, depending on the type of delivery and the health of the mother and baby.
The Unit also provides care for paediatric patients from 0-18 years of age. Parents are encouraged to remain with their children. A sofa-bed is provided for those who chose to stay overnight.

Prenatal Breastfeeding Classes
Halton Healthcare Services offers Breastfeeding workshops twice per month (one evening class and one Saturday morning class). The classes are held at Milton District Hospital through the Obstetrics Department.
Find out more.

Prenatal Classes
Please note that our last Labours of Love classes will be offered on November 5th and 6th.

Halton Healthcare Services will no longer be offering prenatal classes after November 7, 2011.

The Halton Region Public Health Department offers a free, on-line prenatal education program. For more information on the on-line program, please visit www.halton.ca

The Halton Region Public Health Department continues to offer free classes/workshops throughout the region. For information about these classes, call the Health Department at (905)825-6000.

Please note that prenatal education and information as well as information on what to expect when you have your baby at Halton Healthcare services is available in our extensive information booklet - Having Your Baby at HHS.

Prenatal Clinic
The Prenatal Clinic is a four-bed day unit where expectant mothers are assessed prior to the onset of labour. Prenatal ultrasounds and non-stress tests are common procedures in this clinic.

Prenatal Tours
Prenatal tours of the Maternal Child Program are held weekly. To book a tour, call the Maternal Child Admitting Desk at (905) 338-4662.

Special Care Nursery
Our 8-bassinet Special Care Nursery provides care to babies who have been born prematurely or who need special nursing and medical care. Premature means that your baby was born at least three weeks before the due date. Some babies are born at Georgetown Hospital, Milton District Hospital or Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and are then cared for in the Special Care nursery until they are able to go home. Other babies may have been born at or transferred to a hospital which provides more intensive, specialized care for newborns. When your baby is more stable and doing well, she/he will be transferred from a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to the Special Care Nursery at Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital.

Your baby, or perhaps babies, is here to make sure she/he continues on the road to good health and growth. You and your family are welcome in the SCN at anytime to care for, feed, and cuddle your baby. This will help you feel more comfortable and confident in handling your newborn. Your baby knows when you are here and thrives on your presence.

Tender Loving Corner
The Tender Loving Corner is a breast pump rental depot and retail store located right in the Maternal Child Unit. The store offers specialty products to enhance the nurturing experience for mom and baby such as electric/manual breast pumps, nursing pillows, milk collection/storage systems, breast pads, nipple creams, educational books and stylish maternity undergarments.