More than 3,000 babies are born each year at the Marotta Family Hospital, Women and Babies’ Unit.
While the birth of your child is a time of excitement, we understand patients may feel anxious or stressed as they begin this new chapter.
Niagara Health is proud to announce the launch of an information video, Having your Baby at Niagara Health, to provide parents and their families with a glimpse of what to expect when giving birth at our hospital.
Our Women and Babies’ program was developed in consultation with world experts. By centralizing these services at the Marotta Family Hospital, we are making the best use of the latest technology and equipment, human resources and training, and in turn enhancing patient care, safety and quality of work life.
Parents and their families are cared for by our passionate and dedicated healthcare team in our bright and spacious, family-centred facility.
Features of the Women and Babies’ Unit
- 17 labour rooms
- Two operative delivery rooms for C-sections
- 20 postpartum beds
- Infant security protection system
Resources During Pregnancy
Niagara Parents
Niagara Region Public Health offers a variety of programs and resources to support healthy pregnancy and becoming a parent including:
- Clinics and classes on pregnancy and parenthood topics.
- Prenatal supports, home visits and planning a healthy pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding, bottle feeding and formula, and starting solids.
- Safety, growth and development and mental health.
- Parent Resource Guide which includes information about your baby’s health and safety, self-care, helpful resources and more.
To learn more, visit niagararegion.ca/parents
OMama App
OMama is a website and a mobile application (app) that connects you to trusted, evidence-informed pregnancy, birth, and early parenting information (focusing on resources in Ontario, Canada). Use the website or app to:
- Set up a personal pregnancy profile
- Track your pregnancy, birth, and early parenting week by week
- Find trusted information at every stage – where and when you need it
- See the size of your growing baby
- Connect with programs, resources, and caregivers
- Get expert advice and tips
- Search a glossary of terms relevant to you
To access OMama or download the app, please visit OMama.com.
Resource Library
Resources while in the Hospital
Spiritual and Religious Care
Spiritual care staff work with patients, families, staff and volunteers to support all types of spiritual expression including religious practice, personal relationships, artistic creation, connection to nature and more. Learn more.
Social Workers
Social workers support parents and their families by providing compassionate, emotional and culturally safe care. Our team will help you navigate health concerns and difficult emotions (including grief and loss) by offering counselling, advocacy, safety planning and resources and education.
Social workers may also provide support for:
- Treatment plan for medical diagnosis
- Medically high-risk pregnancy
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission
- Miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death
- Substance use disorders
- Mental Health concerns
- Relationship stress or intimate partner/family violence
- Community resources
- Financial stress
- Adoption and surrogacy planning
Connecting with a social worker is voluntary. If you would like to speak to a social worker, please ask your healthcare team. With your consent, referrals can be made by a doctor, midwife, nurse, other healthcare staff or a community agency.
Lactation Consultants
If you choose to breastfeed or have questions, patients may meet with a Niagara Health lactation consultation during their stay.
Niagara Parents
During your stay, a public health nurse from Niagara Parents will provide you and your family with information on community supports available after you have been discharged.
Postpartum Resources
Resource Library
- Newborn Registration: Service Ontario
- Postpartum Guide
- How to Bathe your Newborn
- Breastfeeding Guide
- What to Look for when Breastfeeding
- Infant Formula: What you need to know
- Car Seat Safety
- Safe Sleep Guide
- What to Expect in the first three months
- Best Start: Resources for Parents
- Newborn Screen Ontario
- Postpartum mood and anxiety disorder
Helpful Links
Support Persons and Visitor Information
Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Indigenous Health Services and Reconciliation Team
Niagara Health has an Indigenous Health Services and Reconciliation team that will identify and act on priorities that ensure inclusive, equitable and compassionate healthcare journeys for all Indigenous patients and their families.
Your Hospital Handbook
Get the latest information to help answer questions you or a loved one may have.
Extraordinary Caring. Every Person. Every Time.
