Perinatal & Newborn Health

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 […]

Neonatal follow-up plays a critical role in Ontario’s healthcare system, monitoring and offering early intervention for high-risk infants with varying diagnoses. The Neonatal Follow-Up Program (NFUP) refers to neonatal follow-up clinics collectively that are part of a larger collaborative provincial system. PCMCH has developed NFUP resources with the aims of reducing variations in practice among

In 2018, PCMCH reviewed low-volume, rural and remote intrapartum services and completed an analysis of access to safe and high-quality intrapartum care services in lower-volume centres (less than 500 births a year) across Ontario. The gap analysis used a mixed-methods approach, including: An environmental scan Interviews with representatives from lower volume intrapartum care sites Data

In 2021, the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH) worked in collaboration with expert advisors from across Ontario to strengthen existing levels of care accountabilities for newborn level 1 and all labour and delivery units. The definitions and criteria for each level of care were revised to reflect updated practices and to provide

The Ontario Perinatal Record (OPR) replaces the Ontario Antenatal Record 1 and 2. Please order the new OPR and destroy remaining Antenatal 1 and 2 forms. The updated OPR is the fifth revision and replaces the 2005 version. Ontario Perinatal Record (2017 Version) Ontario Perinatal Record User Guide (2018 Version) The new OPR and the development of

In Ontario, individuals experiencing early pregnancy complications and loss face numerous challenges in accessing timely, specialized and compassionate care. For many individuals, the emergency department (ED) serves as the primary entry point for care. In 2017, PCMCH, in partnership with Health Quality Ontario and the Champlain Maternal Newborn Regional Program, developed recommendations for ED healthcare

Please note: The Guideline for Fetal Fibronectin Testing was last updated in 2008 and is valid as of publication. Healthcare providers and the public should verify the information before acting on it. Fetal Fibronectin (fFN) testing helps clinicians to determine if a pregnant person who may be at risk of pre-term birth should be admitted