Giving birth at Saint- Boniface Hospital
St. Boniface Hospital has a long-standing presence as a trusted birthing center in Manitoba. Since its founding in 1871 by the Grey Nuns, thousands of families have chosen the hospital for its experience, specialized services, and commitment to safe childbirth.
We offer a wide range of services to support families through pregnancy, labour, delivery, and newborn care.
Pregnancy and Labour Support
Preparing for birth begins well before arriving at the hospital. In partnership with the Antenatal Home Care Program, St. Boniface Hospital works with home care providers to support patients during pregnancy.
We offer:
• Cervical Ripening at Home
For patients who need help starting labour, this process prepares the body for birth and can be done at home under medical guidance.
• Physiological Birth Support
Our care teams use techniques that follow the body’s natural process to encourage labour progression.
• Spinning Babies Program
This program includes exercises and movements that help position the baby for birth, which can make labour smoother and reduce the chance of needing a cesarean section.
Labour and Delivery
During labour, our care teams use supportive methods that reduce medical interventions and help patients feel more in control.
We provide:
• Private Labour and Delivery Rooms
Each family is given a private room to ensure comfort and privacy during labour and birth.
• Support for Breech Births
Breech birth is when the baby is positioned feet or bottom first instead of head first. St. Boniface Hospital supports more breech births than any other facility in Canada, offering families more delivery options.
Comprehensive Medical Support
If a newborn needs extra medical care after birth, St. Boniface Hospital has a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This specialized area is staffed by trained professionals and equipped with advanced technology.
We also offer Family Integrated Care in the NICU. Parents are encouraged to participate in their baby’s care, which supports bonding and recovery.
• vCreate Messaging System
This is a secure online platform (vCreate) that allows parents to receive photo and video updates of their baby.
Staff Training, Quality, and Language Services
St. Boniface Hospital supports its care teams through ongoing training and mentorship to maintain high standards of care and teamwork.
All areas of the maternity program are regularly reviewed and improved to ensure safe and effective care.
And finally, because we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Patients who require services in French can request them, and they will be provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
When to come to the hospital?
You think you are in active labour? Can you confirm these:
- Contractions come about every 3-5 minutes for 1 hour
- Contractions last about 1 minute
- Contractions hurt so much that it is hard to speak or walk
- Are having bright red bleeding from your vagina
- Notice a decrease or change in your baby’s movements
- Cannot cope with your labour pains
- Think your waters are broken
- Or your health care provider advises you to come in
What can you do at home?
- Have a shower or bath to help you relax
- Have your partner/friend rub your lower back during a contraction
- Try some deep slow breathing during a contraction
- Take a walk with your partner/friend
- Change positions often such as walk, sit, and lay down
- Have a light meal such as tea, soup and toast and drink fluids
- Empty your bladder (pee) often
- Try to nap or rest
- Watch TV or a movie
How does the admission work?
- Admissions for birth are in the Obstetrical Triage unit, located on the third floor of the main hospital, room E3004. The St. Boniface Hospital front entrance is located at 409 Taché Ave. (east side of main hospital) and is open 6am-9pm daily. If you arrive at a time outside these hours, please enter through the front entrance and press the security call button in the vestibule to gain entry.
- In the Obstetrical Triage unit, you and your baby will be assessed by a nurse, doctor or midwife to see if you are ready to be admitted. If not, you will be sent home with a plan for follow-up care.
What to bring at the Hospital
Preparing ahead of time is a good idea. Please bring the following:
- MB Health card, private health insurance cards, Social Insurance Number
- Comfort items while you are in labour like lip balm, lotion, music
- Slippers
- Nursing bra
- Underwear
- Personal toiletries/items (shampoo, toothbrush & paste, deodorant, hairbrush)
- “Going-home” clothes (loose & comfortable)
- Baby sleepers
- Baby blanket
- Infant car seat
Where to park?
- Pay parking is available 24 hours a day.
- Public parking is available in the hospital parkade across from the Emergency entrance, as well as in our south parking lot near the Forgan South Entrance.
- Street meter parking and time-limited free parking is located on various city streets around the hospital. Various other paid lots are available in the neighbourhood..
What are the instructions for Support Persons and Visits?
- You may have 1 or 2 people with you to provide support in labour, but they must be the same 2 people for your entire labour.
- Family and friends will not be allowed to visit you until you have been transferred to the Postnatal unit.
- Children under the age of 14 may not visit unless they are a sibling of the new baby.
- General visiting hours are 10am-8pm daily.
- A support person may stay overnight to help care for you and your baby.
Important Notes
** If you are GBS positive, click here for more information: Strep-B-in-pregnancy.pdf
If at any time you have questions or concerns, please call your doctor or your midwife during regular business hours.
Allow time to find a parking spot, getting into the hospital and if required, returning to your meter in time. For more information, please click here: Parking – St Boniface Hospital
Contacts:
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your doctor, midwife, or Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257.
Epidural Anesthesia
Please click here to view a fact sheet about epidural anesthesia: Epidural During Labour: What you need to know