Obstetrical Unit

Almonte General Hospital has three Obstetrician/Gynaecologists on Active Staff. The Hospital is designated as a level 1B/low-risk facility.

The obstetrical team works together on call. This shared model is key to retaining and sustaining our providers. Drs. Awwad, Fadare and Matei provide a full range of obstetrical services to women of the Ottawa Valley, including appropriately selected high-risk patients. This may include women carrying twins, well-controlled diabetic or hypertensive (high blood pressure) mothers, and breech presentations.  Drs. Awwad, Fadare and Matei offer external cephalic version (ECV) for persistent breech presentations, to help mothers avoid a cesarean section.

Any woman felt to be to be at a higher risk than is appropriate for AGH may be referred to another hospital, usually to colleagues at the Ottawa Hospital.

• Dr. Bahaa Awwad, MD, FRCSC , Chief of Obstetrics and Gynaecology - 613-256-8800
• Dr. Kayode Fadare, MD, FRCSC - 
• Dr. Anca Matei, MD FRCSC - 613-256-8598

Almonte General Hospital have six General Practitioners with obstetrics experience who are responsible for prenatal, postnatal and neonatal care. Referrals can be faxed at 613-256-0949 or by calling 613-256-9370. More information can be found at ottawavalleyfmob.ca

• Dr. Sylvia Altunes Almeida
• Dr. Melanie Fortune
• Dr. Laurel Kedrosky
• Dr. Julie Stewardson
• Dr. Amy Toderian - on maternity leave
• Dr. Belle Song

Since 2009, mothers-to-be who want to give birth at the Almonte General Hospital (AGH) with a midwife attending may do so.

Ottawa Valley Midwives provide care to healthy low-risk women and their families throughout pregnancy, child birth and the immediate postpartum period. You can access midwifery care with the Ottawa Valley Midwives clinic if you live in West Ottawa, Lanark County, parts of Renfrew County and parts of Leeds-North Grenville County.

For more information call 613-253-3148 or visit the Ottawa Valley Midwives website.

On the Obstetrics Unit, an initial assessment will be done when you arrive. It may include blood pressure, temperature, pulse, urine test, monitoring of the fetal heart rate and potentially a vaginal examination. Your care provider will then be notified regarding your progress.

If you are not in active labour, your doctor may advise you to return home until labour begins. If you are in active labour, you will stay on the Obstetrics Unit until your baby is born. You will be moved into one of our postpartum rooms following the delivery.

We encourage your partner to remain with you for the birth however, to minimize risk to patients and residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, Obstetrics patients may only bring one support person when they come to the Hospital. That person will be the only visitor allowed for the duration of the patient’s stay in the Hospital (i.e. before and after the baby’s birth). We will support and assist both of you during the birthing process. Your progress will be monitored carefully throughout your labour.

Our team is here to ensure a safe delivery for you and your baby.

To help you prepare for your stay, here is a list of some of the more common things you can bring with you to help make you stay more comfortable.

• Slippers/socks, and other comfortable clothing
• Toiletries: lip balm, tissues, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc.
• Back rub lotion; back massager
• Hot/cold pack
• Stress ball
• Reusable water bottle
• Earphones and handheld music player, personal electronics (iPad, Tablet, etc.)
• Pen and paper
• Camera/camcorder/phone charger
• Snacks

• Comfortable clothing
• Snacks
• Pillow and sleeping bag if staying overnight
• Toiletries, toothbrush and toothpaste

• Nipple ointment
• Personal hygiene products (super/absorbency) 2 dozen/disposable briefs
• Housecoat/slippers, 2 nightgowns or pajamas / XL underwear
• Nursing bra
• Toiletries: toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, soap, etc.
• Watch
• Clothing to wear home (loose & comfortable)
• Camera/camcorder/phone charger

• Newborn diapers (2 dozen)
• Baby wipes
• Sleepers
• Undershirt or onesies, sweater and hat
• Blankets
• Socks or booties
• CSA approved Infant car seat with instructions (will need this to bring baby home)
• Pen to fill out forms