St Joseph's Healthcare - 2nd floor Fontbonne Building. 301 James Street South, Hamilton, Ontario
Visiting the clinic and hospital
Clinic: please do not come to the clinic if you are showing any signs suggesting possible COVID-19 infection, including fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, OR if you have been in contact with someone that is suspected of having COVID-19.
Hospital: As part of our ongoing efforts to protect the public, patients, staff and physicians from the potential transmission of the COVID-19 virus, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton has restricted visitors at our hospital sites. Two support persons for labour and delivery.
updated information for pregnant and new moms
Society of Obstetricians and Gynecology of Canada Resource Page
SOGC Statement on COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy
Canadian COVID-19 Vaccine Registry for Pregnant and Lactating Individuals:
CDC information about pregnancy & breastfeeding:
Queen's University Comprehensive Information about COVID-19
Canadian Fertility & Andrology Society
Letter FROM YOUR WOMEN’S AND INFANTS’ LEADERSHIP TEAM
The leadership team of the Women’s and Infant’s Program have worked hard to decrease the risk to patients and staff, changing processes as more information about COVD-19 becomes available. We are updating this letter now to provide you with the details about processes at the hospital.
For information related to your antenatal (pregnancy) appointments with an obstetrician at St. Joseph’s Hospital, please visit www.2fontbonne.ca. This website also contains links to more information about COVID-19 and pregnancy. You can attend your appointments on 2 Fontbonne and also your ultrasound appointments on 4 Fontbonne with 1 support person. You are also welcome to use technology so a support person can attend appointments and ultrasounds virtually, we are happy to assist with this.
If you are pregnant and COVID-19 positive or are unwell with a fever (greater that 38C), have a cough and/or difficulty breathing or other symptoms of COVID-19, please call your OB care provider (doctor or midwife) who will assess and advise for next steps in your care. This may include staying home, seeing your family physician, coming to 2Fontbonne for an appointment in our isolation room or coming to the Birthing Unit.
The Birthing Unit
When you come to the birthing unit for an assessment, you will first go through COVID-19 screening and be given a mask to wear. On arrival to the unit, pick up the phone located just outside the locked doors of the birthing unit and the staff will buzz you in.
Two support persons can come with you to the Birthing Unit. Exceptions will require approval from the Nurse Manager, if the Doula is above the 2 support persons an exception will be required.
On the Mother and Baby unit, 4 designated support persons will be allowed with 2 at the bedside at one time. Visitors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult and be able to wear a mask at all times.
Special Care nursey. 4 support persons will be allowed, with 2 at the bedside at one time.
Newborns with a BAC or BANA appointment will be allowed 1 support person. If the support person requires assistance exceptions will be made prior to the appointment.
All patients and support persons must wear masks at all times during their stay. We recognize there are times during delivery when you may not be able to wear a mask, and during those times staff will wear additional personal protective equipment (PPE). When you are in your room alone you may remove your mask. You must replace your mask when any staff enters the room.
If you are pregnant and COVID-19 positive or are unwell with a fever (greater than 38°C), have a cough and/or difficulty breathing or other symptoms of COVID-19, please call your OB care provider (doctor or midwife) who will complete a telephone screen and discuss the next steps in your care. This may include staying home, seeing your family physician, going to an assessment centre or coming to the Birthing Unit.
