Welcome to the Toronto Birth Centre Website!
***ATTENTION EVERYONE***
The province and city are moving toward re-opening, but we still have COVID-19 in our communities. At TBC we expect everyone:
* To wear a mask while in the space, and to clean hands frequently. TBC can provide masks or you can wear a clean face covering of your own.
* To limit support people to a maximum of 3 per person in labour. This can now include children, with a dedicated caregiver (someone who will prioritize care of the child(ren). Children may not be left without appropriate supervision. Children must wear a mask in all the common spaces, but like the labouring person, may remove the mask in the birth room. A child who needs to leave the birth room and cannot wear a mask will need to leave the TBC.
* To answer our screening questions before entering the space. Please avoid coming to TBC if you are ill.
We have moved TBC programming online – please check our social media for updates and announcements about events!
TBC tours in-person continue to be suspended. We are working to create an online tour experience that will give similar information and views of our space!
If you have any concerns or questions about how the measures we’re taking may impact you, please email our Clinical Director at cd@torontobirthcentre.ca.”
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As experts in normal birth, midwives in Ontario have traditionally provided care during labour and birth in a client’s home or in hospital. Now there’s a third option available to midwifery clients who live in Ottawa or Toronto: Birth centres.
The TBC is a not-for-profit corporation licensed under the Independent Health Facilities Act. The TBC using an Indigenous framework, aims to create a welcoming and culturally safer space for families of all nations to give birth.
Birth centres provide a comfortable, home-like setting. Birth centres are midwife-led and have been planned and designed in collaboration with midwives.
VISION
To be a space where pregnant people, families and communities can access safe and culturally respectful birthing care.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Toronto Birth Centre Inc. is to achieve optimal health and wellness for the whole community through culturally integrated care, education and research, and through supporting the practice of Aboriginal midwifery in its fullest scope both culturally and professionally.
Who can plan to have a baby at the Toronto Birth Centre?
The Toronto Birth Centre is a fully regulated health care facility and provides birthing services free of charge.
You can plan to have your baby at the Toronto Birth Centre if you:
• have a registered midwife,
• are in good health, and
• are having a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy.
The Birth Centre does not handle complicated births such as premature births. The Birth Centre is midwife-led, which means that there are no doctors or nurses on site. At the Birth Centre, you will be attended by registered midwives (usually two), along with any support people you wish to bring. Midwifery students play an important role at the birth centre, providing both organizational and clinical support. Epidurals, inductions, C-sections or other hospital-based services are not available at the Birth Centre. Your midwife can discuss other forms of labour support, pain relief and care with you. Midwives are experts in normal pregnancy and birth and are trained to deal with emergencies. In addition, the Birth Centre is ready to deal with urgent situations and emergency transfers to hospitals, if required.
The first step is to find a registered midwife.
If you are considering having your baby at the Birth Centre, your midwife will make the necessary arrangements. We expect demand will be high and will do our best to accommodate everyone.
How do I find a registered midwife?
A registered midwife is a member of the College of Midwives of Ontario (CMO). Midwives provide primary care during pregnancy, labour and birth, and to both the client and the baby up to six weeks following the birth.
For information on midwifery in Ontario or to find a registered midwife; you can visit the College of Midwives of Ontario (CMO) website: www.cmo.on.ca or the Association of Ontario Midwives (AOM) website: www.ontariomidwives.ca, or call 416-425-9974.
Our Pamphlets:
2014 TBC pamphlet
What to Bring Pamphlet or What to Bring – web version