From Familiar Walls to a Fresh Start
We first met Marissa D’Souza in August 2024, when she had — in her own words — “practically moved into” North York General’s Labour & Delivery Unit.
From Familiar Walls to a Fresh Start
We first met Marissa D’Souza in August 2024, when she had — in her own words — “practically moved into” North York General’s Labour & Delivery Unit.
At the time, she was 35 weeks pregnant and facing placenta praevia, having already spent weeks as an inpatient under close monitoring in hopes of safely reaching 37. We discovered that it wasn’t her first time in NYG’s Birthing Centre, and with her unique perspective — and plenty of time to reflect — she had shared her thoughts on both the care she received and the space she had come to know so well.
Now, one year later, with a healthy little one on her hip, we welcomed Marissa back to the very room she once called her temporary home — and surprised her as the first person to see it fully revitalized, thanks to the generosity of our donor community:
Q: How have you and your family been, and how did everything go with your labour?
A: We’re doing great — it feels like no time has passed, and somehow my little baby is already almost a year old, which is wild. The labour didn’t go exactly according to plan (does it ever?), but thankfully I hadn’t set my heart on anything too specific. I was about a week away from my scheduled C-section when this little one decided it was time to arrive.
Q: How does it feel to be back in the same birthing suite as last year — now that it’s been through this refresh?
A: Well it just looks absolutely beautiful — so fresh and modern. Walking in, it immediately feels clean and new, which really sets the tone for the care you expect here. Even small things, like having cupboards that look polished instead of worn, make the space feel so much more welcoming.
My own journey with NYGH’s Birthing Centre started seven years ago with the birth of my son, and it’s been amazing to see how it has grown with the times. The care has always been exceptional, but now the rooms reflect that same standard — with more space for families, more comfort for partners, and features that make long stays feel a little more like home.
Q: While this space has changed slightly, tell me something that hasn’t changed since you first came to NYG’s Birthing Centre in 2017.
A: From the very beginning in 2017, everyone we encountered was kind, caring, and deeply concerned for our well-being. As a naturally anxious person, it meant so much to know I could come in at any time and be reassured. The nurses and doctors never made us feel like a burden — they welcomed our visits, kept us informed, and made sure my family felt supported at every step. It’s always been an amazing experience.
Q: Anything else you’d like to add?
A: Just thank you to everyone — there are so many names and so many people. Every staff member I came in contact with, every doctor, every nurse — thank you for taking such good care of us. For putting my mind at ease, answering my millions of questions, and even giving me TV show recommendations.
It wasn’t easy being here for more than four weeks, and it wasn’t easy on my family either. But having such a supportive team around us made the days pass quicker and helped us feel as comfortable as possible while we waited for our little ray of sunshine to arrive.
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