Perinatal & Newborn Health

Respiratory Viruses and Immunizations

UPDATE: New PCMCH Resources on RSV Prevention for Infants and High-Risk ChildrenPCMCH is pleased to share two new fact sheets on the prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in infants and high-risk children. These resources provide essential information and guidance for both parents and healthcare providers, supporting the launch of the expanded RSV prevention program […]

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Safe Administration of Oxytocin – Evaluation Findings in Brief

In March 2023, PCMCH completed the evaluation of the Safe Administration of Oxytocin project in Ontario. A multi-pronged approach was used to determine the degree of uptake, effectiveness and utility of the Safe Administration of Oxytocin recommendations and tools. This included input from birthing hospitals, maternal-child health regional networks and data from Ontario’s Better Outcomes

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2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusivity in Perinatal Care 

The perinatal period uniquely impacts the mental health and wellbeing of 2SLGBTQIA+ people. Previous or anticipated experiences of discrimination and invisibility, in addition to system-level inequities, can affect trust in perinatal healthcare providers and the broader healthcare system. These barriers can also impact equitable access to timely, quality healthcare, thereby contributing to poor physical and

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Disability and Pregnancy

Nearly one in eight pregnancies in Ontario are to people with a disability; however, pregnancy care is not often structured to address their needs. In 2022, PCMCH collaborated with researchers from the University of Toronto to develop evidence-based resources to support healthy pregnancies, birthing experiences and postpartum outcomes for people with disabilities. In 2023, PCMCH

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Standards of Postnatal Care

Please note: The Standards of Postnatal Care Report was released in 2018. Healthcare providers and the public may want to consult additional resources that may be more up to date. The Standards of Postnatal Care report was released in 2018 to articulate the standards of postnatal care for mothers/parents and newborns in the first seven

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Safe Administration of Oxytocin

The Safe Administration of Oxytocin guideline report, developed by PCMCH in 2019, outlines best practice recommendations for the safe management of pregnant patients whose labour is induced or augmented with the medication oxytocin. The objective of the report is to reduce the risk of misuse and/or mismanagement of oxytocin by addressing risk factors that have contributed to

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Perinatal Mental Health

Maintaining mental health is important to the well-being of pregnant and postpartum individuals. PCMCH’s Care Pathway for the Management of Perinatal Mental Health (July 2021) and accompanying Guidance Document (July 2021), support healthcare providers in identifying pregnant or postpartum patients who may be experiencing mental health issues, assess the severity of their symptoms, determine appropriate care

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Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Please note: The content on this webpage may contain outdated information and was accurate at the time it was published. Healthcare providers are encouraged to consult current evidence and resources on the topic. Substance use during pregnancy is a risk factor for negative pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Infants at risk for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)

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Low Risk Birth

The Clinical Handbook for Low Risk Birth aims to address the variation in caesarean section rates across the province in the low-risk patient, promote normal birth and improve patient outcomes by focusing on delivery of standardized evidence-informed practices. The Clinical Handbook for Low Risk Birth was originally developed as part of the Ontario Health System

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