New Parents Form Special Bond with NYGH

For expectant parents, the decision about where to give birth is a big one. There are several factors to consider such as the reputation of the hospital or provider, proximity to home and the services offered.

When the time came to deliver her first child, Thornhill resident Wendy Yeh chose North York General Hospital (NYGH). This was based on a friend’s recommendation and because NYGH was close to home. For Wendy, this decision was a very good one. Wendy developed preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication that required several weeks of bed rest, followed by specialized care for her premature babies. This happened again during the birth of her second child. Both times, the NYGH team got her and her family safely through that very challenging time.

“I assumed that I would have low-risk pregnancies since I didn’t have any pre-existing conditions and I was 30 with my first pregnancy. I was surprised that I developed preeclampsia, which meant I was now considered high-risk. During the deliveries, all the medical specialists were in my room to ensure that my babies’ vital signs were strong. The NYGH team made me feel safe and comfortable,” said Wendy.

For more than 50 years, North York General Hospital’s Maternal, Newborn and Paediatric Program has been caring for pregnant people and newborns. The hospital welcomes just under 5,000 newborns into the world each year.

As one of Ontario’s busiest single-site birthing centres, the hospital is equipped to care for low and high-risk pregnancies and provide high-quality care at all stages of pregnancy: from pre-natal, labour and delivery to post-partum care. It is quite common for people with high-risk pregnancies from across Toronto/GTA to be referred to NYGH for specialized care ranging from genetic screening to maternal-fetal medicine and for preemies to be transferred to NYGH’s Tippet Foundation Level 2 Neonatal-Intensive Care Unit.

Some expectant parents naturally choose NYGH because of their family’s special connection to the organization.

There was never any doubt about where the Berney family would deliver their babies. Following in their mother’s footsteps, Jennifer Klein (née Berney) and her sisters had their children at NYGH. Fast forward a few years the Klein/Berney family’s bond with NYGH became even deeper when Jennifer joined NYGH as a Registered Nurse in 2019. She currently works as a Registered Nurse in the NYGH Emergency Department. She is thrilled to be working in the hospital where she was born.

“When I think about an organization that I want to be a part of, it’s North York General Hospital. I have such a strong connection to this place. I was born here, my children were born here and now I have the privilege of working here,” says Jennifer.