Obstetrics & Women’s Health
Our Women’s Health programs are designed to provide our diverse community with integrated, multidisciplinary care to fit their needs. Together, St. Joseph’s Health Centre and St. Michael’s Hospital are committed to providing people of all ages, backgrounds and socioeconomic status with the excellent care they deserve.
Click through the sections below to read more about our programs, units and clinics offered at Unity Health. Please be sure to select the appropriate tab for St. Joseph’s Health Centre or St. Michael’s Hospital.
Obstetrics & Women’s Health at St. Joseph's Health Centre
Our team of obstetricians, pediatricians, nurses, lactation consultants and other health-care professionals support new families before, during and after labour. We encourage evidence-based practices such as immediate skin-to-skin contact after delivery, delayed cord clamping, early access to breastfeeding supports, one-to-one nursing care in labour and the presence of a support person in labour and post-partum.
Obstetrics
At St. Joseph’s Health Centre, our diverse team of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (OBGYNs) are committed to providing exceptional 24-hour in-house care to the communities and families of West Toronto. We believe in providing our patients with up-to-date, evidence-based, patient-centred and individualized care.
As experts in preconception care, childbirth and the postpartum period, we are trained to manage low-risk and high-risk pregnancies as well as the complications that can arise during this reproductive life stage. We are medical doctors (MDs) who have obtained at least five years of additional specialty training in Reproductive Health.
Our team is always accepting new referrals and look forward to being involved in your care. To find an obstetrician right for you, please visit the Meet Our OBGYNs tab.
Primary Care Obstetrics
A select group of family physicians who have completed extra training in the field of obstetrics offer quality medical care focused on low-risk births. Family doctors offer care throughout pregnancy and beyond including newborn care, breastfeeding support, general medicine and counselling. As family doctors, we recognize birth as a natural event and are passionate about delivering excellent care that values women’s choices.
For information about our Primary Care Obstetrics team, including locations, doctors, referrals and resources, please visit stjoesfamilyob.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
Midwifery Care
Midwives are health-care professionals who provide government-funded expert primary care to pregnant people and their newborns. Through pregnancy, labour, birth and the first six weeks after birth, you will be cared for by a small group of midwives.
This continuity of care means that you are likely to know the midwife who delivers your baby. Midwives provide family-centered care and are experts in low-risk pregnancy and birth. If complications arise, midwives will consult with physicians or, if necessary, transfer a client’s care to a obstetrician.
Both the Midwife Alliance and Kensington Midwives groups have hospital privileges at St. Joseph’s Health Centre. More information on midwifery in Ontario is provided by the Association of Ontario Midwives at www.aom.on.ca.
For more information about midwifery care, please visit:
Midwife Alliance
166 The Queensway
Etobicoke, ON
M8Y 1J2
416-534-9161
Fax: 416-531-3981
midwifealliance@gmail.com
www.midwifealliance.ca
Kensington Midwives
450-340 College St.
Toronto, ON
M5T 3A9
416-928-9777
Fax: 416-928-9646
kmw@kensingtonmidwives.ca
www.kensingtonmidwives.ca
Anesthesia
All of our patients have the option to choose what is right for them for pain management during labour and childbirth. If an epidural is desired, our anesthesiologists are in-house at all times and are able to provide this service. If a person has concerns antenatally about pain management in labour, antenatal consults can be arranged.
Pre-delivery Pediatric Consultations
For concerns recognized during the pregnancy that need attention in the newborn period, our pediatricians become a part of the team to discuss the care your newborn may require. Please ask your obstetric care provider if this is recommended for your pregnancy.
Physicians can refer through the pediatric consultation clinic with full antenatal records, relevant investigations and reason for consultation. Contact us at: 416-530-6294 (fax), 416 530-6625 (phone) or email at paeds@stjoestoronto.ca.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
This specialized unit provides care to newborns requiring intensive care and supports short-term ventilation of pre-term infants 30 weeks gestation or more. Our NICU is located on the same floor as The Myhal Family Birthing Centre for fast, coordinated care when needed. For more information about the NICU, visit our Children’s Health page.
Neonatal Follow-up Clinic
Our Neonatal Follow-up Clinic work hand-in-hand with our NICU to provide care and resources after discharge of our smallest and sickest babies. Our team consists of neonatologists, a clinic nurse, occupational therapist, speech and language pathologist and a developmental-behavioral pediatrician. For more information about the Neonatal Follow-up Clinic, visit our Children’s Health page.
CIBC Just For Kids Clinic
For more information about the CIBC Just for Kids Clinic, visit our Children’s Health page.
Please note: There are no in house tours of our facilities.
Video tour of The Myhal Family Birthing Centre:
Video tour or birthing room:
Video tour of The Myhal Family Birthing Centre operating room:
Video tour of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit:
Dr. Hani Akoury
Dr. Akoury completed his fellowship training in obstetrics and gynecology from Dalhousie University, a fellowship in Maternal Fetal Medicine at the University of Western Ontario and a Master’s degree in Clinical Epidemiology from University of Toronto. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto.
His clinical and research interests includes: High risk pregnancy, prenatal diagnosis, obstetrics ultrasound, maternal diseases in pregnancy and critical appraisal. Dr. Akoury is also fluent in English, French and Arabic.
St. Joseph’s Health Centre, 30 The Queensway
Phone: 416-530-6373
Fax: 416-530-6377
Dr. Clarissa Bambao
Dr. Bambao is the Hospital-Site and Rotation Coordinator for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto, preceptor for the MIGS fellowship and an active staff physician in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Joseph’s Health Centre.
Dr. Bambao received her medical degree from Queen’s Medical School and completed residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto. She also completed the AAGL-accredited fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Sunnybrook Heath Sciences Centre in Toronto.
Her current clinical practice specializes in low-risk obstetrics, general gynecology, colposcopy and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.
2940 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON M6P 1Y8
Phone: 416-537-5289
Fax: 416-537-3698
Dr. Melanie Caetano
Dr. Caetano completed both her medical school and residency training at the University of Toronto. She is a clinical associate and lecturer in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Caetano is active in medical education and is interested in patient-centred and evidence-based care in obstetrics and gynecology. She is also fluent in Portugese.
1243 Islington Avenue, Suite 601
Toronto ON, M8X 1Y9
Phone: 416-231-7878
Fax: 416-231-7801
Dr. Nicole Cherry
Dr. Cherry received her post graduate training in Obstetrics and Gynecology from the University of Toronto. She enjoys medical education and is the Coordinator for the Low Risk Obstetrics Enhanced Skills program at St. Joseph’s Health Centre. Dr. Cherry is a general Obstetrician and Gynecologist and has a special interest in Colposcopy.
1243 Islington Avenue, Suite 600
Toronto ON, M8X 1Y9
Phone: 416-239-1909
Fax: 416-746-1040
Dr. Paul Davies
Dr. Davies completed his undergraduate medical degree at the University of Ottawa and went on to do his Obstetrics and Gynecology residency training at Queen’s University. He completed a clinical fellowship in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at St. Joseph’s Health Centre as well. He practices general obstetrics and specializes in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.
2425 Bloor Street West, Suite 411
Toronto ON, M6S 4W4
Phone: 416-604-8438
Fax: 416-761-9525
Dr. Anthony Di Pierdomenico
Dr. Di Pierdomenico is a general Obstetrician and Gynecologist.
2425 Bloor Street West, Suite 207
Toronto ON, M6S 4W4
Phone: 416-766-4518
Fax: 416-766-2407
Dr. Beata Grygowski
Dr. Grygowski graduated from the Queen’s University Medical School and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto. She is currently an active staff member of St. Joseph’s Health Centre.
Dr. Grygowski is a lecturer at the University of Toronto. She has a general practice in both Obstetrics and Gynecology, with a special interest in urogynecology, laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgeries and colposcopy.
2900 Bloor Street West
Toronto ON, M8X 1B5
Phone: 416-232-1687
Fax: 416-530-6827
Dr. Lauren Jain
After obtaining her medical degree at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Dr. Jain completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. She subsequently completed a fellowship in Advanced Gynecologic Surgery at St. Michael’s Hospital and joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at St. Joseph’s Health Centre.
At St. Joseph’s, she is actively involved in medical education and is a lecturer at the University of Toronto. In addition to low-risk obstetrics and minimally invasive surgery, her clinical interests include colposcopy, vulvar disease and the management of early pregnancy complications.
605 Royal York Road, Suite 203
Toronto ON, M8Y 4G5
Phone: 416-251-3335
Fax: 416-488-6977
Dr. Sybil Judah
Dr. Judah completed her medical training at McGill University and her specialty training in Obstetrics and Gynecology from the University of Toronto. She is currently the Medical Director and Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Joseph’s Health Centre. Please see the staff directory for contact information.
Dr. Yolanda Kirkham
Dr. Kirkham is an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto. She is an obstetrician and pediatric, adolescent, and adult gynecologist at St. Joseph’s Health Centre and Women’s College Hospital. Dr. Kirkham received her masters and medical degrees from the University of British Columbia, and completed her OBGYN residency and fellowship at the University of Toronto.
Her clinical practice includes inclusive care in obstetrics and gynecology across all age groups and ambulatory surgery.
Dr. Kirkham’s special interests and certifications include quality improvement and patient safety, leadership, and patient advocacy and education through media. She is also fluent in Chinese Mandarin.
#203 – 605 Royal York Rd.
Etobicoke, ON M8Y 4G5
Phone: 416-901-7756
Fax: 647-350-3770
Dr. Brian Liu
Dr. Liu underwent his medical school training at Queen’s University and his residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto. Following residency, he completed a two year American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) accredited fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. He also received a Masters in Health Science Education at McMaster University.
He is an assistant professor at the University of Toronto. He is also the Director of Medical Education for the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Joseph’s Health Centre.
His current clinical practice specializes in patient-centered obstetrical care and complex minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, including surgical management of advanced endometriosis and large fibroids.
2940 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON M6P 1Y8
Phone: 416-533-9902
Fax: 416-533-9905
Dr. Mary Melchior
Dr. Melchior has been practicing at St. Joseph’s Health Centre for 20 years. She underwent medical school training at Queen’s University and completed residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto. Following residency, she completed an American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) accredited fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Women’s College/Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.
She is a lecturer at the University of Toronto and actively involved in teaching medical trainees. She is the Director of the Minimally Invasive Surgery fellowship in gynecology at St. Joseph’s Health Centre.
Her current clinical practice specializes in patient-centered obstetrical care and complex benign gynecologic surgery, including surgical management of advanced endometriosis and large fibroids. She also performs pelvic reconstructive surgery for prolapse and incontinence.
1243 Islington Avenue, Suite 604
Toronto ON, M8X 1Y9
Phone: 416-207-1998
Fax: 416-207-9501
Dr. Esther Park
Dr. Park obtained her medical school and specialist training as a general Obstetrician and Gynecologist at the University of Toronto. She is a lecturer in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology as well. She is also fluent in Korean.
20 Edna Avenue, Unit 1
Toronto ON, M6P 1B5
Phone: 416-532-7612
Fax: 416-532-6577
Dr. Aparna Sarangapani
Dr. Sarangapani completed her medical school at Queen’s University in 2012 and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the University of Toronto in 2017. She has a certification in Patient Safety and Quality Management from the University of Calgary.
In 2017, Dr. Sarangapani joined the department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at St. Joseph’s Health Centre. She is a lecturer at the University of Toronto and has a special interest in advancing patient safety and quality improvement in the hospital and in the community.
She promotes inclusion and diversity in her practice based in Parkdale. Her clinical practice focuses on: reproductive health, obstetrics, family planning, general gynaecology, minimally invasive surgery, and colposcopy.
2940 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON M6P 1Y8
Phone: 416-539-0965
Fax: 416-279-0965
Dr. Artin Ternamian
Dr. Ternamian is an Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto and former Director of Gynecologic Endoscopy Fellowship Program at St. Joseph’s Health Centre.
He has a special interest in Gynecologic endoscopy, as it relates to patient safety, instrument design, operative hysteroscopy and endoscopy curriculum development. He holds several international patents, consults with industry and has published extensively on patient safety and endoscopy litigation.
2425 Bloor Street West, Suite 402
Toronto ON, M6S 4W4
Phone: 416-766-1144
Dr. Suzanne Wong
Dr. Wong completed her medical school and specialist Obstetrics and Gynecology training at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s/Massachusetts General Hospital. She is currently the Director of Faculty Development and an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Her research interests include ultrasound education and faculty development. Her clinical activities include general obstetrics and gynecology, neonatal circumcision and operative gynecology.
30 The Queensway, Sunnyside Building, 4S-Rm 423
Toronto ON, M6R 1B5
Phone: 416-530-6790
Fax: 416-530-6811
- Trail of Labour After Caesarean
- Breastfeeding
- Information on Childbirth
- Inside your Body: Labor & Birth (2.20 minutes)
- Natural Live Birth (5.42 minutes)
- Live Birth: Induction (5.17 minutes)
- Live Birth-Epidural –no nudity (7.48 minutes)
- Preparing for Successful Breastfeeding (15.25 minute video)
- Postpartum Care: How to take care of yourself after having a Baby (6 minute video)
- Caring for your Newborn (7 minute video)
The problem with rigid baby care and parenting books (Research findings of Dr. Amy Brown)
Welcome to St. Josephs Health Centre Pre and Postnatal Classes & Groups.
Classes are offered through zoom. The Postpartum Support Group is offered in person.
To register for the child birth education classes, please use our online booking tool. You will receive a call 7-10 days before the class start date to collect the credit card payment. The class zoom link will be provided after the call.
To register for the Postpartum Support group, please fill out this form. You will receive an email within one week to schedule an intake call. Please email perinatalsocialwork@unityhealth.to with any questions.
Please contact Laura Samaras at laura.samaras@unityhealth.to or 416-530-6367 for inquiries about the registration process or general questions about giving birth.
For prenatal classes at St. Michael’s Hospital, please select the “St. Michael’s Hospital” tab at the top of this page.
Childbirth Preparation Class
This five-week prenatal class will help prepare you for the physical and emotional aspects of labour, birth, breastfeeding and newborn care. Classes take place once a week for five weeks and are 2.5 hours long. All classes will be offered live, online, through Zoom. Classes run from 6 to 8:15 pm.
Upcoming dates
- Tuesday: April 30 – May 28, 2024
- Wednesday: May 1 – May 29, 2024
- Tuesday: June 4 – July 2, 2024
- Wednesday: June 5 – July 3, 2024
Fee: $180 per family
If you are having difficulties with online registration, please email Laura Samaras at laura.samaras@unityhealth.to
Prenatal Classes – Mini-Series
To accommodate parents who are unable to commit to a five-week series, we offer a mini-series with condensed elements of our regular series (above). The mini-series focuses on birth, breathing techniques and comfort positions. Other topics include new mother and baby care and breastfeeding. The class is held two evenings and runs from 6 to 8:30 pm.
Fee: $85 per family
Upcoming dates
- Wednesday, June 5 & 12, 2024
Postnatal Classes
Postpartum Support Group
This eight week in-person closed support group is for individuals who have had babies at St. Joseph’s Health Centre within the past year. The group is to support parents who are struggling with their mood and need support coping with their newborn. The group takes place once a week for eight weeks and each session is 1.5 hours long. All sessions will be offered in-person at St. Joseph’s Health Centre Toronto and babies are welcome and encouraged.
Sessions run from 10:30am to 12pm. Participants are required to fill out the registration form below. Once registered, a brief intake call will be scheduled to discuss more about the group process.
If you have any questions, please email perinatalsocialwork@unityhealth.to
Fee: There are no fees
Upcoming dates
- Tuesdays, April 2 – May 21, 2024
The Specialty Pregnancy Care Clinic is a referral centre for fetal (baby in the womb) and maternal complications.
We see patients for the following, amongst other things:
- Poorly working placenta or placental dysfunction
- Fetal growth problems
- Fetal abnormalities (physical and/or genetic differences)
- Maternal kidney disease
- Maternal heart problems
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) and its complications
- Infections during pregnancy
During your visit you will see a nurse and a maternal-fetal medicine doctor. You may have an ultrasound or be referred to other specialists if needed.
Clinic details
Location: Family Birthing Centre – 1st floor, Garron Our Lady of Mercy (OLM) wing
Phone: 416-530-6841
Fax: 416-530-6824
Appointment times:
In-person appointments
Tuesdays 8 am to 4:30 pm
Thursdays 8 am to 4:30 pm
Virtual appointments
Tuesdays and Thursdays
Referrals: At this time, we are only taking referrals from St. Joseph Health Centre obstetricians, family doctors and midwives.
As the experts in women’s and reproductive health, we are trained to manage an extensive range of conditions from childhood through and beyond menopause. We treat patients both medically and surgically, and offer many procedures through a minimally invasive approach. Our team of gynecologists have additional expertise in the areas of pediatric and adolescent gynecology, endometriosis, minimally invasive surgery, colposcopy and vulvar disease.
Many of the gynecologists as St. Joseph’s Health Centre offer minimally invasive surgical management of endometriosis, uterine fibroids, abnormal bleeding, pre-cancer and cancers of the uterus and more. This approach often uses small key-hole incisions to perform both simple and complex gynecologic operations and is usually associated with a shorter stay in hospital and a quicker recovery time for our patients. While this approach is not always possible, our aim is always to provide high quality, evidence-based and patient-centred gynecologic care.
Our gynecologists are situated across West Toronto and can be found under the “Meet Our OBGYNs” tab.
Newborn Behaviour Observations (NBO) High Risk Infants Training Course
June 17-18, 2024, St. Joseph’s Health Centre – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
The Newborn Behavioral Observations (NBO) system™ is an infant-focused, family-centered, relationship-based tool designed to engage parents with their baby’s competencies and individuality, to foster sensitive parent-infant interactions and contribute to the development of a positive parent-infant relationship from the very beginning.
For more information and to register for the training course, please review and complete the registration form.
Clinics & Services
Colposcopy is a diagnostic procedure allowing close examination of the cervix, vagina and vulva for signs of disease and usually is required after an abnormal screen (pap) test or other observed abnormalities. Staffed by a team of gynecologists and nurses, the colposcopy clinic is there to educate patients regarding abnormal pap tests, investigate these abnormalities and treat cervical dysplasia.
View Colposcopy ClinicThe Early Pregnancy Management Clinic provides compassionate, urgent and individualized care to patients who are experiencing complications in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy.
Complications can include threatened early pregnancy loss (vaginal bleeding and/or abdominal pain), non-viable pregnancy, confirmed pregnancy loss or stable ectopic pregnancy.
The clinic is nurse-led. The nurse’s role is to assess each patient’s physical and emotional needs and provide ongoing support. The nurse will work with family physicians or obstetrician/gynecologists to help patients decide how to best manage their complications. Access to a social worker and spiritual care can be arranged.
View Early Pregnancy Management ClinicThe Myhal Family Birthing Centre at St. Joseph’s has provided care to thousands of people and their families during their birthing experience. Featuring bright and spacious rooms and an interprofessional team of obstetricians, family physicians, nurses, midwives and other birthing and healthcare professionals always ready to support growing families, The Myhal Family Birthing Centre is an excellent place for new and expecting parents to begin their journey.
View Myhal Family Birthing Centre
Obstetrics & Women’s Health at St. Michael's Hospital
The St. Michael’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Department is part of the Inner City Health Program, which is committed to taking an integrated approach to community health as well as excellence in education and research. The department is fully affiliated with University of Toronto and provides learning experiences for residents, interns, clinical clerks (medical students), family practice students of nursing and midwifery. St. Michael’s was the first teaching hospital to participate in the Managing Obstetrical Risk Efficiently (MORE).
Obstetrics department overview
The St. Michael’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Department is committed to patient-centered care, multidisciplinary care, an integrated approach to community health and excellence in education and research. Come see why expecting parents love St. Michael’s Hospital. Learn more
At St. Michael’s, we offer several virtual prenatal education classes through Zoom. We do not offer in-person classes at this time.
- Prenatal Prep 101 (Fee: $180 per family)
- Infant Care (Fee: $80 per family)
- Breastfeeding Basics (Fee: $40 per family)
- Relaxation and Comfort in Birthing (Fee: $80 per family)
- To register for any of these classes, please use our online booking tool.
- If you have questions about registration, please contact Dean Roberts at 416-867-7468 or dean.roberts@unityhealth.to.
Meet our instructors:
Corey Liston, IBCLC
Lactation Consultant
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Courses Corey teaches: Breastfeeding Basics
Kimberley Fernandez, CCCE, CLD
Certified Childbirth Educator
Certified Labour Doula
Courses Kim teaches: Prenatal Prep 101, Infant Care, Relaxation and Comfort in Birthing
After you register on-line – what to expect!
- After registering online, you will receive a telephone call from the prenatal clinic to collect your credit card payment over the phone. (If you are a patient of St. Michael’s prenatal clinics, you can also choose to pay in person with a credit or debit card at your next clinic visit.) If you registered for classes that are several months away, you will receive a call to collect your payment information two to three weeks before the class starts.
- When payment is complete, your credit card receipt will be sent to you via SMS text and you will receive an email confirming that registration is complete.
- 24 hours before your class is set to begin, the instructor(s) will email you the Zoom link for your selected class and any course materials.
- If you are registered for more than one class, you can make one payment for all of the classes. You will receive individual emails for each session’s Zoom links, etc.
For prenatal classes at St. Joseph’s Health Centre, please select the “St. Joseph’s Health Centre” tab at the top of this page.
Prenatal Prep 101 (Fee: $180)
Participants can choose to register for:
- Six 2-hour weeknight classes (Tuesdays or Thursdays) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Three 4-hour classes on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- All classes offered live online via Zoom (non-recorded).
This prenatal class will help prepare you for the physical and emotional aspects of labour, birth, breastfeeding and newborn care.
View 2024 Prenatal Prep 101 schedule
Breastfeeding Basics (Fee: $40 per family)
This two-hour prenatal class, provided by a certified lactation consultant, will provide practical information on breast/chest feeding and demonstrate strategies to optimize success and avoid common challenges. All classes are offered live online through Zoom. Classes will be held on select Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m.
Please note: Participants must be between 20 and 38 weeks pregnant on the day of the class.
View 2024 Breastfeeding Basics schedule
Infant Care Education (Fee: $80 per family)
This two-hour prenatal class covers the basics of baby care, including diapering and dressing, bathing and grooming, soothing, sleep, baby essentials and more! All classes will be offered live online through Zoom. Classes will be held on select Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
View 2024 Infant Care schedule
Relaxation and Comfort Measures in Birthing (Fee: $80)
To help you prepare for your labour experience, this two-part class will cover pain control theories, tips to create a relaxing birth environment, self-hypnosis and breathing techniques, guided meditation, massage, hydrotherapy and position changes.
View 2024 Relaxation and Comfort Measures in Birthing schedule
Support Groups
All of our support groups are facilitated by a registered social worker and provide an opportunity for families to connect virtually with one another:
- Postpartum support group: Every other Monday, 10 – 11 a.m.
- Pregnancy support group: First Friday of every month, 10 – 11 a.m.
- Pregnancy loss under 20 weeks: First Tuesday of the month, 1 – 2 p.m.
- Pregnancy loss over 20 weeks: Last Tuesday of the month, 1 – 2 p.m.
- Subsequent pregnancy after loss: Runs every other month, date and time TBD.
There are no fees for these groups. To register, please email obsocialwork@unityhealth.to.
To learn more about upcoming groups, join the St. Michael’s Obstetrics Support Groups e-mail list.
Women with low-risk pregnancies may choose to seek midwifery care. Midwifery care includes prenatal care, support for delivery either at home or in the hospital, and care for the mother and newborn for the first six weeks after birth. If you deliver your baby at St. Michael’s, your midwife will be part of the obstetrical team.
The following midwifery groups have with privileges at St. Michael’s. To make an appointment, contact:
Community Midwives of Toronto
344 Bloor Street West, Suite 201
416-944-9366
Riverdale Community Midwives
48 River Street
416-922-4004
We provide a broad range of expertise to meet the needs of women with complex conditions, including endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Our gynecologists specialize in minimally invasive surgery for some conditions, which has decreased the length of stay in hospital and length of the patient’s recovery period. St. Michael’s offers the only two-year fellowship in minimally invasive gynecological surgery in Canada.
Colposcopy Clinic
The Colposcopy Clinic provides care and treatment for women with abnormal PAP smears. Colposcopy is a special examination where the doctor uses a colposcopy to get a magnified view of the vulva, vagina or cervix.
Read our two handouts to find out what to expect before, during and after your appointment.
Referrals
Family physicians can fax our referral form directly to the Women’s Health Clinic at 416-867-7478. A member of our clinic team will contact you with an appointment date and time.
Social Work
Our social workers are part of our multidisciplinary team and provide a range of services that include individual and couples counseling, sex therapy, mindfulness-based therapy groups, and discharge planning. They are also available to help you navigate the hospital system. If you would like to see a social worker, please speak with your physician or nurse. Social workers in our gynecological programs have the expertise to help you deal with issues in the following areas:
- Life transitions, such as menopause and midlife
- Adjustment to illness and treatment plans
- Sexual and relationship issues
- Pain management
- Stress management
- Infertility
- Body image
Our gynecological inpatient and outpatient clinics provide patients with a full range of gynecological services, emphasizing education and healthy lifestyle choices, and specializing in minimally invasive surgery.
Our services and clinics include:
- Gynecological care
- Colposcopy
- Pelvic Health Clinic
- Social Work
- Urogynecology
- Adolescent gynecological services
- Mid-life care and counseling
5th Floor 61 Queen St. E.
Phone: 416-867-7480
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Referrals
Family physicians can fax our referral form directly to the Women’s Health Clinic at 416-867-7478. A member of our clinic team will contact you with an appointment date and time.
The My Baby and Me Passport Program helps to increase access to prenatal care and community services for women who do not have stable housing. To find out if you are eligible for the Passport Program please speak to a member of your obstetric health care team.
The St. Michael’s Obstetrics Department has 24-hour in-house obstetricians, anesthetists and pediatricians. We strive to provide one-stop care with ultrasound and laboratory services and all our clinics in one location. Our family-centered approach to pregnancy care includes:
- Immediate skin-to-skin contact at delivery/delayed cord clamping
- 24-hour rooming-in
- 24-hour stay for one support person after delivery
The services and clinics we offer include:
- Healthy pregnancy (low-risk) clinic
- Early Pregnancy Management (EPM) Clinic
- On-site ultrasound
- Medical Complications of Pregnancy Clinic
- Diabetes (Gestational, Type 1 and Type 2) and Pregnancy Clinic
- High-Risk Pregnancy Clinic
- Prenatal Diagnosis Clinic
- HIV in pregnancy (Positive Pregnancy Program, P3)
- Bleeding Disorders of Pregnancy Clinic
- Perinatal Mental Health Clinic
- Pre-delivery pediatric consultations
- Pre-delivery anesthesia consults
- Fetal Echocardiography Clinic
We also offer pre-natal and parenting classes. Call the front desk of the Obstetrics Department to learn more.
Breast/Chestfeeding support
Lactation Consultants are available to support St. Michael’s patients and their families in our birthing unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and Pediatric Clinic during regular business hours, Monday to Friday. For additional infant feeding support in the community visit:
Toronto Public Health: Virtual Breastfeeding Support, Information and Community Resources
Find a private Lactation Consultant
Social media
@smhobgyn– St. Michael’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology on Instagram
@pandemicpregnancyguide – reliable information from our physicians on pregnancy during COVID-19
Related
Videos
Pregnancy during the time of COVID-19 at St. Michael’s
Having a baby at St. Michael’s Hospital
At this clinic, experienced ultrasound technicians as well as ultrasound technologists perform and review all ultrasounds. Generally your ultrasounds will be done at a prenatal visit, and your results will be available for you and your doctor to review at that appointment.
4th Floor 61 Queen St. East
416-867-7421
Fax: 416-867-3742
For concerns identified during the pregnancy where anesthetic input would be beneficial.
These may include:
- Mothers with back problems
- Mothers who have had difficulty with epidurals
Clinics & Services
This is a multidisciplinary clinic for women with known bleeding disorders such as hemophilia and von Willebrand disease. These women may be at increased risk of bleeding during their pregnancy and delivery. Individually tailored labour and birth care plans are made for each patient depending on their bleeding disorder.
Team members include:
- Hematologist
- Obstetrician
- Pediatrician
- Anesthetist
The Colposcopy Clinic provides care and treatment for women with abnormal PAP smears. Colposcopy is a special examination where the doctor uses a colposcope to get a magnified view of the vulva, vagina or cervix.
View Colposcopy ClinicWe offer a multidisciplinary approach to the management of diabetes in pregnancy. This includes the planning and coordination of care during pregnancy for women with Type 1, Type 2 or Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy.
Our team members include:
- Endocrinologists (diabetes doctors)
- Maternal fetal medicine specialists (doctor who cares for higher risk pregnancies)
- Registered dietitian
- Diabetes nurse educator
- Social worker
- Sonographer (ultrasound technician)
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Michael’s opened the Early Pregnancy Management clinic for patients with early pregnancy concerns in October 2019. The clinic is staffed by an obstetrician/gynecologist and family physicians.
View Early Pregnancy Management ClinicThis clinic is for patients with any family or personal history of heart problems. You may also be referred to this clinic if a heart problem is identified in your baby during the pregnancy. At this clinic patients are seen by a pediatric cardiologist (baby/child heart specialist), and you will get your results immediately.
View Fetal Echocardiography ClinicMost pregnant people are healthy and stay well during their pregnancy. At this clinic we follow and support healthy mothers through their pregnancies. If problems arise during the pregnancy or post-partum, we provide full service care to address them.
View Healthy Pregnancy (Low Risk) ClinicSt. Michael’s High-Risk Pregnancy Clinic is a referral centre for:
Fetal (baby in the womb) and maternal complications which include, but are not limited to:
- Poorly working placenta/placental dysfunction
- Fetal growth problems
- Fetal abnormalities found during the pregnancy
- Kidney disease
- Heart problems
- Lupus
- Infections occurring during pregnancy
- Exposure to drugs or other substances during pregnancy
P3 (Positive Pregnancy Program) is a clinic that is anonymously blended into and runs out of the prenatal clinic at St. Michael’s. We see individuals and couples in which one or both partners are HIV+, before (pre-pregnancy), during and/or after pregnancy. To date, we have managed more than 250 pregnancies.
View HIV in Pregnancy (Positive Pregnancy Program, P3)Our labour floor looks after patients with urgent problems that can’t wait until the next scheduled appointment (no matter where you plan to deliver). The clinic is also for procedures arranged by your doctor, and for labour and delivery. All patients are seen first in triage, where decisions are made about next steps.
Postpartum is for mothers who have just given birth.
View Labour, Delivery and Postpartum FloorYou may be a candidate for the Medical Complications of Pregnancy Clinic if you have any of the following conditions:
- High blood pressure before pregnancy or high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy
- Auto immune disorders such as lupus
- Thyroid disease
- Other health conditions
My Baby & Me is a drop-in prenatal clinic designed to support individuals using substances in pregnancy. The clinic is open every Monday afternoon, no appointment or referral needed, and individuals are able to see both an obstetrician and addictions medicine specialist in the same visit. Meals, transportation, and other instrumental supports, as well as social work and counselling, are also provided at every visit. The clinic also offers on the spot ultrasound screening, blood work, sexual health testing, and access to harm reduction and safe use kits.
Our clinic embraces a trauma-informed and flexible approach, and we support individuals who experience barriers in accessing prenatal care. There is no age or catchment requirement to access services at the clinic.
View My Baby and Me (Perinatal Addictions Clinic)We use an innovative combination of therapies to treat women with complex pelvic disorders, including pelvic floor prolapse, chronic pain, vulvodynia and incontinence. Our holistic approach includes a multidisciplinary team of a gynecologist, uro-gynaecologist, nurse practitioner, social worker/sex therapist as well as experts in pain management.
View Pelvic Health ClinicStaffed by psychiatrists, nurses and social workers, this clinic is for women with mental health concerns prior to the pregnancy or that develop during the pregnancy. Speak to your doctor to see whether or not you should be seen in this clinic.
View Perinatal Mental Health ClinicFor concerns recognized during the pregnancy that need attention in the newborn period, our pediatricians become a part of the team to discuss the care your newborn may require.
View Pre-Delivery Pediatric ConsultationsThis clinic is for patients who may have:
- A problem found early in their pregnancy with the baby
- A possible genetic condition
- Patients have access to specialized testing which includes noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and amniocentesis.
Our Baby Tuck Shop provides free essential maternity and baby items like care products and clothing to some families receiving their obstetrical care at St. Michael’s, depending on their circumstances. Women can visit the shop twice during pregnancy, once for a maternity visit, any time after 20 weeks and once for a baby visit, any time after 36 weeks. If you are a patient receiving prenatal care at St. Michael’s and could benefit from visiting the Baby Tuck Shop please ask your nurse, doctor or social worker for a voucher.
View The Baby Tuck Shop
Last updated April 23, 2024
Our social workers are part of our multidisciplinary team and provide a range of services that include individual and couples counseling, sex therapy, mindfulness-based therapy groups, and discharge planning. They are also available to help you navigate the hospital system. If you would like to see a social worker, please speak with your physician or nurse. Social workers in our gynecological programs have the expertise to help you deal with issues in the following areas:
- Life transitions, such as menopause and midlife
- Adjustment to illness and treatment plans
- Sexual and relationship issues
- Pain management
- Stress management
- Infertility
- Body image
View Social Work