Babies are back at Waterville hospital
C-section unavailability had forced closure of labour, delivery services at Waterville hospital
After being closed for almost three months, labour and delivery services at the hospital serving the upper river valley area are being offered to expectant mothers once again.
The Horizon Health Network issued a news release Thursday announcing that its Upper River Valley Hospital (URVH) in Waterville, near Woodstock, is resuming its labour and birth services.
“All pregnant individuals who would normally deliver their babies at URVH should proceed to this facility,” the release said.
“All expectant individuals in the area that are 35 weeks pregnant and over have been contacted by nursing staff.”
Horizon spokesperson Maggie Estey told the Fredericton Independent on Thursday that labour and delivery services resumed at the hospital as of Feb. 12.
Horizon announced the closure of birth services at the Waterville facility last fall. That original announcement indicated the closure would run from Nov. 17 to Jan. 31.
It wasn’t clear from this week’s announcement of the reopening what forced the additional two weeks of closure.
During that period, expectant mothers from the area were directed to go to the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton.
The reason for the extended closure was said to be a staffing shortfall that made emergency caesarian sections (C-sections) unavailable at URVH.
Expectant individuals in the Upper River Valley who are experiencing signs of early labour or any symptoms of concern are now asked to call the URVH labour and birth services team at 506-375-2611.
The obstetrical service at the Upper River Valley Hospital sees as many as 500 patients per year, Horizon reported last fall, and it saw 206 births and 40 emergency C-sections in 2023.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.