The following is a list of resources that you may find useful if you are planning on having a baby in the Greater Toronto areas of Rosedale, St. Paul's, Trinity-Spadina or Toronto Centre.
Pregnancy Care
Mount Sinai Hospital
www.mountsinai.on.ca
Labour Triage Phone Line: 416-586-4800, ext. 3210
600 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X5
St. Michael's Hospital
www.stmichaelshospital.com
30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8
The Midwives Collective of Toronto
416-963-8842
midwivescollective@bellnet,ca
403-344 Dupont Street, Toronto, OB, M5R 1V9
Staff privileges at Mount Sinai Hospital
Community Midwives of Toronto
Community Midwives Facebook Page
416-944-9366
344 Bloor Street West, Suite 201, Toronto, ON, M5S 2J2
Staff privileges at St. Michael's Hospital
Riverdale Community Midwives
www.riverdalemidwives.com
416-922-4004
48 River Street, Toronto, ON, M5A 3N9
Staff privileges at St. Michael's Hospital
Prenatal Tours
Mount Sinai Hospital
To book a tour call: 416-586-4800, ext. 6779 or register online
Please plan to take your tour 4 to 6 weeks before your due date, and book early as tours fill up quickly. The hospital tour will introduce you to the services offered at Mount Sinai and help prepare you for your hospital stay. You will visit the Labour and Delivery Unit, Mother-Baby Unit and the Breastfeeding Centre. Please come with your list of questions. Tours run alternate Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Tours cost $10 per couple.
Mount Sinai Hospital - Online Virtual Tour
If you are unable to book a tour or you would prefer an online tour follow the above link to access the virtual tour of the Mount Sinai Hospital via YouTube.
Prenatal Resources
Toronto Health Connection Line - Toronto Public Health
416-338-7600
A line staffed by public health nurses who can provide information about health issues and community services. The line is staffed from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Prenatal Education Program - Mount Sinai Hospital
Program Information 416-586-4800, ext. 2307
The Prenatal Education Program at Mount Sinai Hospital offers a number of prenatal classes to meet your needs. All of the classes are taught by experienced health-care professionals. Please book your classes early in your second trimester as they fill up quickly. Plan to take your classes between 30 and 37 weeks. Please follow the link above for more information and to register online.
Prenatal Program - Toronto Public Health
Toronto Public Health offers a free online prenatal program - Welcome to Parenting. If you are expecting a baby and live in Toronto then you are eligible. Through this 29 interactive online class series you'll learn all about having a healthy pregnancy, basic labour and birth, infant feeding and becoming a parent. This unique program also offers experts in prenatal education, child development and parenting to answer your questions and an online forum were you may connect with other families in Toronto.
Prenatal Programs For At-Risk Women - Toronto Public Health
416-338-7600
Toronto Public Health offers specialized programs for a number of at-risk groups of women in the Toronto area. These groups include women at-risk of having a low birth weight baby, women in their teens or early twenties, women who are new to Canada, and women facing challenging life situations such as hunger and poverty. Programs are offered at several sites throughout Toronto. Call the Health Connection Line for more information.
Postpartum Resources
Healthy Babies, Healthy Children - Toronto Public Health Unit
Program Information 416-338-7600
The Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program is a confidential and voluntary home visiting program for families who are pregnant or have children up to age six. Through this program a Public Health Nurse can link you to a broad range of programs and services. For more information and to book a home visit call the Toronto Health Connection Line.
Breastfeeding Support - Toronto Public Health
Program Information 416-338-7600
By calling the Toronto Health Connection Line you can receive support over the phone regarding your breastfeeding questions and concerns. If you wish, you may book a home visit with a Public Health Nurse for further breastfeeding support.
Breastfeeding Centre - Mount Sinai Hospital
Program Information 416-586-4800, ext. 7409
Inpatient consultations are available for women on the Mother-Baby Units who meet the criteria for referral. If you are interested in a consultation, your nurse can make a referral.
Breastfeeding classes are offered on a daily basis for women in the Mother-Baby Units. These classes include; tips for success in the early days of breastfeeding, ideas for solving common breastfeeding problems, and answers to your breastfeeding questions. Classes take place Monday to Friday at 10am in the 10th floor classroom and Saturday to Sunday at 10am in the Family Lounge.
Outpatient consultations are available 7 days a week from 9am to 4pm, by appoinment only. These consultations are for any mother and baby who are experiencing difficulty breastfeeding after discharge from hospital. Call for more information and to make an appointment.
Telephone advice is available 7 days a week from 9am to 4pm. Typical issues of concern include: treatment of low milk supply, mastitis, sore nipples and yeast infections.
EarlyON Child and Family Centres
EarlyON Centres are a place for children up to the age of six and their parents and caregivers to take part in programs and activities together. They bring together in one location information about children's services and programs in the community. If you have questions about your child's development, or want to know how to get information or services for your child aged 0-6 in your area contact your local centre.
College-Montrose Children's Place
College-Montrose Children’s Place is a non-profit community organization that provides free family support and early education programs for over 3000 families annually. They offer safe, inclusive spaces for families with children six and under to play, learn and connect in Toronto.
MumNet
MumNet provides an opportunity for mothers who are at home with small children to meet in a supportive group setting. To this end, the Network operates 14 groups in a variety of locations across Metro Toronto. Each group meets once a week for a two hour session which includes a 45-minute low-impact aerobics class and a one-hour discussion led by the volunteer leaders of the group. A qualified fitness instructor provides the fitness portion of the program and the children are cared for on the premises by experienced caregivers.
Additional Resources
Distress Line
www.torontodistresscentre.com 416-408-4357
Provides confidential 24 hour emotional support, crisis intervention and suicide prevention to persons in distress. There is access to a confidential interpreter for 151 languages.
eMentalHealth.ca
416-929-5200 (Gerstein Centre)
Provides information about mental health services in Ontario such as counselling services and supports in the community, basic education about mental illness and offers support and provides strategies to those in need. Service is offered 24 hrs a day, translation services available if needed.