Care in Hospital

Our approach to care.

Inclusive care
​We support all types of families with inclusive, accessible and comprehensive maternity care services.

This includes families created through pregnancy and birth, adoption, surrogacy, multi-partner relationships, choice and circumstance. We uphold your right to receive care that is free of discrimination.

Informed choice
​We take a patient-and-family-centred approach to care, recognizing you as the primary decision-maker. Our goal is to promote shared decision-making between you, your family (as you define it), and your maternity care providers in a respectful manner. 

We will support you to make informed choices by providing information on the benefits and risks of tests and procedures and will discuss alternatives with you. Respecting your values and preferences means giving you time to think about your options and make decisions. We encourage you to ask questions and respect your right to accept or decline any test or procedure.

Evidence-based care
​We use the best available evidence to inform our care.

We recognize you may receive different information or conflicting advice from the internet, friends or family members. We also acknowledge that care practices and medical opinions change over time and it can be confusing to know the right choice to make. 

Your maternity care provider will give you the most up-to-date information and evidence on the safest and best way to care for yourself and your baby. We will give you options for tests, procedures or practices and we will support you to make the best choice for you and your family.

Your maternity care team
​Your care provider works with our maternity care team to ensure the best, safest birth experience for you and your baby.

We will give you one-to-one nursing care - where a nurse is assigned to care solely for you - during active labour. 

Your doctor or midwife will always remain involved in your labour and birth, even when additional specialists are involved. 

  • If concerns arise during labour and birth, an obstetrician, a specialist in complicated pregnancies and births, may provide you with care.
  • If you choose an epidural, a type of pain relief, an anesthesiologist (a specialist in pain management and the care of patients during surgery) will give it to you.
  • If there are concerns about your baby's health, a pediatrician (a specialist in baby and children's health) may care for them.
  • Requesting a female health care provider: all members of our health care team are trained and ready to provide culturally appropriate and respectful care. We will honour your requests whenever possible, but we cannot guarantee that you will have a female health care provider or a woman-only health care team. This is because we cannot know in advance who will be working on the day your labour starts or when you arrive at the hospital to give birth. If you have concerns about your birth plan, please speak with your health care provider.
Following birth, nurses will support you and monitor the wellbeing of both you and your baby. You will learn about baby care and get help with infant feeding, so you are ready to care for yourself and your baby once you return home. Your maternity care provider will check on you daily to see how you are doing.

Teaching hospital

​BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre is a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of British Columbia. This means we train the next generation of maternity care providers, including medical students, midwifery students and nursing students.


Learners may participate in your labour and delivery care, under direct supervision, and only with your permission. Residents may also be involved in your care. Residents are doctors who have completed their medical degree and are engaged in supervised training before practicing in their chosen speciality.


Talk to your maternity care provider if you have questions.​

Support people
​Research shows support people can reduce your chances of some complications, like a Cesarean section. We honour your wishes about who you want with you during your labour and birth. Having support people with you can provide a sense of safety and allow you to better express your needs. 

Support can come from your partner, spouse, a family member, friend or a doula. They can bring you water, hold your hand and provide encouragement during labour.
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For further information on postpartum care, visit the Perinatal Services BC website.​