What you need to know if you think you are in labour now.
Hoping to have your baby at BC Women’s? Read this important information, so you know what to do!
1. Can I have my baby at BC Women’s Hospital?
BC Women’s cannot accept everyone who would like to have their baby here due to high patient volumes. To reduce the chances of becoming over-crowded, and to make sure that we can provide safe, quality care for our patients, we are now only able to accept women who meet certain criteria.
2. I think I meet the criteria for being accepted. Now what?
You need to see a care provider (doctor or midwife) who delivers babies at BC Women’s. Your care provider needs to pre-register you as soon as possible after 12 weeks and before 32 weeks into your pregnancy.
4. What is pre-registration?
Pre-registration is required to give birth at BC Women’s. Your doctor/midwife sends a pre-registration form and your prenatal records to BC Women’s so that the hospital knows your medical history. This information is reviewed by BC Women’s Pre-registration Committee to determine if BC Women's can accept your pre-registration.
5. What do I need to do to pre-register at BC Women’s?
- complete the top part of the Pre-Registration Form that your doctor/midwife gives you
- ensure that you complete all sections marked with an asterisk to make sure it is processed quickly
- return it to your doctor/midwife as soon as possible
If you have any questions about the form, please ask your doctor or midwife.
6. What happens next?
The BC Women’s Pre-registration Committee reviews all the forms from all doctors/midwives once a month to make sure they meet the criteria for being accepted. This review could take up to five weeks to complete.
In the meantime, you can download this Family Information Package (PDF) for more information about having your baby at BC Women's.
7. How will I know if I am accepted?
Each month, the hospital provides your doctor/midwife with a list of the women who have been accepted for pre-registration, so you can ask them when you next see them.
8. What happens if I am not accepted?
If BC Women’s is unable to accept your pre-registration, your doctor or midwife will be told. They will then contact you and help you arrange to have your baby at one of our partner hospitals close to your home.
Reviewed on: March 1, 2010