Having a Baby at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital (CGMH): What You Need to Know
If you are planning to give birth at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital (CGMH), you are in for a personalized experience. Serving Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Clearview, and the Blue Mountains, the obstetrical department here is known for its "small-town" warmth combined with high-quality medical care.
As a local doula, I love supporting births at CGMH because the smaller scale often allows for a very calm, quiet birthing environment. Here is your insider guide to the maternity experience at "The Marine."
The CGMH Birthing Suite Experience
Unlike larger urban centers, the Obstetrical Unit at CGMH is intimate. This often means more personalized attention from the nursing staff.
1. The "LDRP" Model
CGMH generally follows the LDRP model (Labour, Delivery, Recovery, and Postpartum). This means that in most cases, you will stay in the same comfortable, private room for your entire stay. You won’t be shuffled from room to room after your baby arrives, which allows you to settle in and find your rhythm.
2. Amenities for Natural Labor
For those looking for a low-intervention birth, CGMH offers several great tools:
Deep Soaker Tubs: Many of the birthing suites feature tubs. Water immersion is one of the best ways to manage contractions and find comfort during the transition phase of labor.
Mobility: The staff is generally very supportive of "active birth." I often help my clients use the birthing balls or gravity-friendly positions right there in the suite.
Proximity to Nature: It sounds simple, but being able to see the trees or the mountain from your window can be incredibly grounding during a long labour.
Why Choose CGMH for Your Birth?
The Team: Because it is a smaller hospital, the OBs, midwives, and nurses work very closely together. There is a real sense of "community care" here.
The Location: For families in Blue Mountains or Wasaga, the short drive means you can stay in the comfort of your home longer during early labor before heading to the hospital.
Personalized Care: There is less of a "conveyor belt" feel. The nurses at CGMH often have more time to spend at the bedside, which complements the continuous support I provide as your doula.
Practical Tips for Your Collingwood Birth
Pre-Registration: Make sure your paperwork is submitted to the hospital well in advance of your 36-week mark to make your arrival seamless.
Parking: Parking at CGMH is straightforward compared to big-city hospitals. There is a lot right in front of the main entrance. (Always keep some change or a credit card handy for the exit gate).
The "Doula Advantage": I am familiar with the specific layouts of the CGMH suites. I know exactly where the extra pillows are kept and how to set up the room to create a "birthing cocoon" with dim lights and essential oils (if desired).
Your Local Collingwood Birth Doula
Choosing to give birth at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital is a wonderful choice for a family-centered experience. If you want a doula who knows the Hume Street halls and has a great rapport with the local midwives and doctors, I would be honoured to support you.
Contact Doula By The Bay to book a free consultation for your CGMH birth doula support.
CGMH Maternity Quick Reference
Address: 459 Hume St, Collingwood, ON
Room Type: Private LDRP suites (stay in one room)
Hydrotherapy: Soaker tubs and showers available
Special Care: Level 1 Nursery (Transfers to RVH if higher-level NICU is needed)