Childbirth

Giving birth in our hospitals

All CISSS des Laurentides birthing hospitals offer services that meet the quality and safety standards recommended by the highest health authorities, and offer a warm and human approach that respects individual needs. 

If you have chosen to give birth at a CISSS des Laurentides hospital, here is what you need to know:

Hôpital de Saint-Jérôme
Birthing unit, 4th floor
Telephone: 450-432-2777, ext. 28440

Hôpital de Saint-Eustache
Birthing unit, 2nd floor
Telephone: 450-473-6811, ext. 42180

Centre multiservices de santé et de services sociaux de Sainte-Agathe (former Hôpital Laurentien)
Birthing unit, 1st floor
Telephone: 819-324-4000, ext. 34481

Hôpital de Mont-Laurier
Mother-Child Complex, 2nd floor
Telephone: 819-623-1234, ext. 4269

Information about visits

The father, or a significant person, can stay with the mother at all times. Grandparents, brothers and sisters are also admitted at all times. 

Children under the age of 12 years visiting a new mother (siblings and other children) are admitted on condition that they are accompanied by an adult and do not present any signs of infection. 

  • Visits during labour and delivery

A maximum of two (2) visitors, excluding the father, are permitted.

Giving birth in a birth centre

Maison de naissance du Boisé-de-Blainville

Visits are authorized upon request. Please consult your midwife for more information.

The stages of labour and delivery

The different stages of labour

Stage 1: Cervical dilation

  • Latent phase (0 to 3-4 cm): During this period, the frequency, duration and intensity of contractions vary. No intervention is necessary, unless there is loss of fluid.
  • Active phase (3-4  to 10 cm): Contractions are more frequent and painful, leading to full cervical dilation.

Stage 2: The baby’s descent and pushing

  • Once the baby reaches the pelvic floor, the urge to push is triggered. It starts as a vague sensation that gets more intense as the baby descends, leading to his or her birth.

    The baby’s head emerges, then the shoulders. Usually, with the next contraction, the baby is born. Delivery after the head emerges is generally very fast.

Stage 3: Delivery of the placenta

  • The uterus contracts rhythmically to deliver the placenta. This is not painful.
  • This is one of the most important periods for promoting skin-to-skin contact and encouraging breastfeeding. It also serves to complete the transition from foetal life to life outside the womb and to maintain the baby’s temperature.

When to go to the hospital or birth centre?

When is it time to go to the hospital or birthing centre or to contact your midwife?

  • Your water has broken
  • You are having regular contractions
  • There is bleeding
  • Your baby is moving less

Additional information about contractions

When contractions begin, it is recommended that you wait until they are regular before heading to the hospital or birthing centre. 

What are regular contractions?

  • 1st baby: every 5 min; duration of 1 min, for 2 hours
  • 2nd (or subsequent) baby: every 5 min; duration of 1 min, for 1 hour

When in doubt, contact your midwife or your hospital’s birthing unit. 

What to bring to the hospital or birth centre

Consult the list of things to bring for you and your baby so that you are well prepared for your stay, in the From Tiny Tot to Toddler (p.169) guide.