Maternal and Child Health

A comprehensive range of Maternal and Child Health services are provided in a number of sites throughout the region. Specialized care for these services is offered at the regional hospital.

Services include:

Obstetrics/gynecology (low to high risk) for antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and post-operative patients
Care of the newborn
Neonatal intensive care
Paediatric care (including day surgery)
Child Life Services
Children's Telehealth Network
Specialty clinics (in conjunction with the Isaac Walton Killam Health Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia)
Visiting paediatric clinics in Woodstock and Perth

Maternal Care:

Every year approximately 2,000 babies are born in the region! Mothers and babies are supported by a planned maternal discharge program designed to assist individuals and families in coping with the birth of a newborn. Prior to the birth of the baby, the region also offers specialized diagnostic testing and prenatal classes. Ongoing and continuing support is provided through a 24-hour mother/baby hotline, mother and baby clinics, and breast feeding classes.

Care for high-risk infants requiring specialized services is provided in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital. The neonatologist also provides consultation services to other hospitals in the region. Those babies requiring more specialized care (e.g. cardiac or surgical) have access to referral or transfer to the Isaac Walton Killam Health Centre (IWK) in Halifax, and the Regional Hospital in Saint John.

For information about prenatal classes, please call the VON Fredericton office at (506) 459-8582 or the VON Oromocto office at (506) 357-8542. Prenatal classes are also offered in rural health centres on an as-needed basis. Contact your local health centre.

Tours of Labor & Delivery and Post Partum are available, free of charge, by appointment only, every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Please call (506) 452-5878 for an appointment.

Prenatal hospital-based services are available through self referral or physician referral. They are free of charge and offered through the Mother/Baby Clinic located at the
Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital. Please call the hospitals Mother & Baby Hotline at (506)452-5878 for further information.

Breastfeeding classes are available in a group setting and are presented by a lactation consultant.These classes are free of charge and are held the second Wednesday of every month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. To make an appointment for the
breastfeeding classes please call (506)452-5878. There is also a breastfeeding clinic that operates Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m.

Visiting hours on Post Partum are 12:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. for the general public and extended hours are 10:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. for fathers and siblings.

For more information, please contact Charlotte.Russell@rvh.nb.ca

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Child Health:

Primary paediatric care is provided for children at all sites in the region. For any child who requires highly complex or specialized medical services there is a dedicated paediatric unit, located at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital. This unit is supported by five paediatricians, and has a strong commitment to family centered care. Parents are encouraged to stay 24-hours/day so that they can participate in their child's care.

Services offered to these patients are supported by a strong linkage to the IWK Health Centre, located in Halifax, and active participation in the Children's Telehealth Network.

Additionally, the paediatric unit provides a regional Child Life Program, which is designed to meet the psychosocial needs of the child and family. Services are offered on an inpatient, outpatient and community basis and include a regional pre-admission familiarization program, school re-entry and tutoring, preparation for procedures, and other play opportunities.

For more information, please contact Charlotte.Russell@rvh.nb.ca

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