Is it Sunnybrook's New Maternity Ward or a 5-Star Hotel?

Hi Everyone – Andrea here once again!

Here I am enjoying my first official week of maternity leave! It’s finally here! This change of events is actually bittersweet – It’s great because I no longer have to get up every morning, perform my daily morning routine, and haul my a$% to work. Rather, I can wake up, saunter around, and wear the same clothes as I did yesterday without anyone noticing (a repeat offender as some like to call it). Sweet.

On the other hand – this maternity leave business shocks me into the reality that my baby will be here in a little less than three weeks! Say what??? You mean nine months have basically come and gone?!?! I have so much left to do! I have to clean the house like a mad women, wash all the babies clothes, etc., etc….this is what they call the nesting phase isn’t it? So let me put on yesterday’s clothes and start organizing this place – I hardly have any time left!

Ok – now that I’ve gotten that off my chest (my VERY large chest I might add), I can get to my point of this blog entry – the new maternity facility opening up this Sunday (September 12th) at Sunnybrook.

I was honored with the privilege of viewing this amazing facility on September 2nd at the welcome ceremony for the Women & Babies program at the Bayview Campus. Not only that – I was able to share in the ribbon cutting of the new facility with Deb Matthews, Minister of Health & Long Term Care and Kathleen Wynne, MPP of Don Valley West. Truly – what an honor!

If I could sum up the new facility in one word it would be – Amazing!

Upon first entering the maternity ward, I immediately notice the spaciousness and all of the natural light that flows in through the windows. The walls are painted calming colours, while all of the furniture is welcoming and comfortable.

The triage room (where you go when first in labour to check in) is fantastic. There are separate little rooms (unlike Women’s College where the beds are separated only by a curtain) and lots of space. There is also a dimly lit room for reading/relaxing that has a working fireplace (not real – but very cool) adorning the wall. If I went into labour (which lucky for me, my scheduled c-section will hopefully rule that out) this is the place I would want to be….and I probably wouldn’t want to leave.

But wait – it gets better. The private rooms (and I think they are all mostly private) are unbelievable! They are huge!!!!! I really can’t even tell you how big they are! These rooms are nicely decorated and feature flat screen televisions, a wall of huge windows, and a massive washroom – some of which feature Jacuzzi tubs -meant for labouring and water birth.

Upon seeing these rooms, my husband thought he had checked into a five-star hotel….I think he was on the verge of ordering room service. He really believes that while we’re in the hospital after the birth, he is going to sit back, put his feet up, and turn on the flat screen after soaking in the Jacuzzi tub. (Please. Who does he think is going to be changing the diapers?)

I was also very anxious to see the operating rooms because I know I’ll be there in just a few weeks. When I laid eyes on one of them I was truly blown away. There is a bright scene spanning the ceiling that depicts a blue sky, white clouds, and treetops (See photo below). This is what I’ll be looking at while my c-section is taking place. How amazing is that???

I briefly saw the NICU and was very impressed. I only hope that I won’t have to see that NICU for this birth. However, if such care is needed; Sunnybrook is definitely the place I want to be.

Seeing the new facility at Sunnybrook really makes me excited to have this baby. I think that the environment in which you give birth is so important to the whole birth experience. The new maternity ward at Sunnybrook promises a positive experience in terms of facility, and the great staff there is just going to top it off.

So other than that exciting news, I really don’t have much to report in terms of my pregnancy. I’m in week 36 now and my belly is massive. My back and hip pains have miraculously subsided though so that is great. However, I am still plagued with severe heartburn…but if that’s all I’ve got to complain about, I’m not doing too bad.