Toronto Birth Centre | Welcome to the Toronto Birth Centre website!

Welcome to the Toronto Birth Centre Website!

To find out more about the invitation to TBC and to access translations, click here.

***ATTENTION EVERYONE***

Effective October 13, 2020, based on the case counts of COVID-19 in our community, and the limitations to Public Health’s capacity to test and trace, we are increasing the restriction on support people accompanying people in labour at TBC. We believe it is a responsible part we can play in flattening the curve at this time.

Clients in labour are limited to one support person from their family. If you have planned the participation of a trained doula and/or Indigenous knowledge keeper in your birth, please discuss with your midwives.

Clients with children should make plans for them to be cared for elsewhere.

We expect everyone to participate in the following measures while at TBC. Those who do not will be asked to leave.

– Answer our screening questions before entering the space. Please DO NOT come to TBC if you are ill.

– Wear a mask, and clean your hands frequently. TBC can provide masks or you can wear a clean face covering of your own. Support people must keep your mask on at all times, covering both nose and mouth.

– Maintain distance of 2 metres (six feet) from TBC staff and midwives, and from other families using the space.

– Ask TBC staff if you need a distanced location to take a meal break.

In the weeks leading up to your due date, you and your support person should:

1. Limit non-essential trips out of your home and follow travel advice.

2. Keep 2 metres (six feet) distance from others.

3.Wear a mask or face covering in indoor public spaces and when you can’t keep physical distance.

If you have any concerns or questions about how these measures may impact you, please discuss them with your midwives. If you need further information or have further concerns, please email our Clinical Director at cd@torontobirthcentre.ca.

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, and will promote virtual tours via our social media.

For more information regarding TBC’s COVID-19 Safety Plan –> Please click HERE.

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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

2016 TBC Pamphlet

Indigenous Framework Pamphlet

What to Bring Pamphlet or What to Bring – web version

TBC Comfort Options Pamphlet

TBC student pamphlet