Anesthesiology-Services

Obstetric Anesthesiology

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Overview

The Ottawa Hospital provides obstetric care at the General and Civic campuses. As the only hospital in the Champlain LHIN offering tertiary obstetric care, we serve as a referral centre for much of Eastern Ontario.

Anesthesiologists are available 24/7 on both Birthing Units. They work closely with obstetricians, family doctors, midwives and nurses to provide:

  • Epidurals for labour.
  • Anesthesia for caesarean deliveries.
  • Pain management after birth.
  • Consultations for medically complex pregnancies.

Both campuses also have subspecialty teams in obstetric anesthesia to support ongoing education and up-to-date skills of our residents, fellows and nursing colleagues. 

A pregnant person lies in a hospital bed, wearing a hospital gown. A fetal monitor belt is strapped around their belly, and an IV is inserted in their arm. Their hands rest on their abdomen.

Fast facts

7,000+

babies are delivered per year.

65–70%

of patients choose an epidural during labour.

5%

of patients deliver without any pain medication.

30%

of births are caesarian sections.

7-9

epidurals are provided each day.

3-4

planned caesarians are provided each day.

2

urgent caesarians are provided each day. 

Services

We care for both low-risk and high-risk pregnancies.  Our care includes:

  • Cervical cerclage (usually with spinal anesthesia).
  • D&C for early miscarriage.
  • Manual placenta removal.
  • Epidural blood patches when needed. 

Consultations and referrals

Any family physician, midwife or obstetrician who practices obstetrics at The Ottawa Hospital can ask for an Anesthesia consult – the patient does not necessarily have to be high risk.  

Reasons for referral include:

  • Questions about pain relief options.
  • Previous difficult labour experiences.
  • Complex medical histories requiring team-based planning.

We work closely with the High Risk Obstetrics team to ensure safe care for both parent and baby.