It has been just over a year since SunnyBrook opened their doors to their new Women and Babies unit. I had not had the opportunity to attend a birth there until this past weekend. As it was, it was not my client but I was called in to back up my partner. I was extremely impressed.
The facilities were beautiful. Of course it still had that shinny new feeling to it and the paint was probably still wet but it was nice none-the-less. The room had a fabulous deep tub and the room was large and spacious. And to my delight there was a private mini fridge for mum and partner to bring nutritious snacks and drinks, or a small bottle of champagne. And best of all you don't have to keep food in a communal fridge to be stolen by others.
But beyond the cosmetics and bells and whistles of the hospital, one of the best things about this hospital is the staff. The first nurse I met was Aggie. I had met her when this program was done through Women's College and she is still a fabulous, friendly and caring care provider. Then we met Karoline and she was equally wonderful and caring. The doctor who came on shift while I was there, Dr. Nevo and the resident Stephen (I didn't catch his last name), they were both very patient and spoke calmly and slowly about what their recommendations were and what the procedures would entail. This goes along way to making a potentially stressful situation easier for mum and partner.
Unfortunately for our client the end result was a cesarean section but for the comfort and support of both mum and partner, the doula, me, was allowed to attend the section as well. I was very happy for that, as the situation did require more then one set of hands to keep mum calm and comfortable for the hour it took to complete the procedure.
Overall, the entire experience was more then I could have hoped for, for any couple having a baby. The respect for birth and women and their ability to give birth is a rare gem in our world today. While the bells and whistles are great, women have been giving birth without them since the beginning of time, but what they have always needed to give birth is kindness, caring, support and above all respect. And SunnyBrook Health Sciences Women and Babies Program has that in spades.
Can't wait for my next birth there.
