(WATERVILLE) October 3, 2019 - Horizon's Upper River Valley Hospital is temporarily closing its Obstetrics unit and is unable to deliver babies at its facility on the following dates:

• Friday, October 4, 2019 at 6 a.m. to Monday, October 7, 2019 at 8 a.m. 
• Wednesday, October 9, 2019 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

All pregnant women who would normally deliver their babies at Horizon's Upper River Valley Hospital will need to travel to Horizon's Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton or the Edmundston Regional Hospital.

The reason for this change is due to the lack of surgeon coverage with the capability to perform emergency caesarian sections (C-section).

Even if a pregnant woman feels she is low-risk and does not require a C-section, she must still travel to Horizon's Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital or the Edmundston Regional Hospital for labour and other pregnancy-related issues as emergency situations can quickly arise during child birth.

In order to receive safe and quality care, it is important expectant mothers are aware of this change in service.

All expectant mothers that are 35 weeks pregnant and over have been contacted by obstetrics nursing staff.

Horizon understands this change may be concerning to families that are expecting. Please be assured all mothers and babies will receive safe and quality care at any Horizon facility.

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For more information contact:

Emely Poitras
Media Relations
1-877-499-1899
media@horizonnb.ca
news.horizonnb.ca