Your Pregnancy Journey
Referral to the Clinic
You can refer yourself to the clinic OR you can be referred by a physician. Once we receive the referral, our clinic administrative assistants will contact you within 3-5 days to arrange an appointment time. It is helpful if you or your doctor send us all the information you have on the pregnancy prior to the first visit (for example, bloodwork, ultrasounds, records from previous pregnancies etc.)
Prior to your visit, our administrative staff will make sure that your health coverage is active. If you do not have health coverage in B.C (called Medical Services Plan), you are considered a private pay patient and there is some extra steps prior to us seeing you. Please see here for more information for private pay patients.
Your Clinic Visits
Virtual Visits
Your first visit will be over the phone with on of our doctors. The first visit typically lasts around 30 minutes. During this visit, we review your past medical history, your past pregnancy history, your family history and your social history. You also have a chance to ask any questions. Depending on how far along you are in pregnancy, we will order bloodwork, genetic testing and ultrasounds. You may have a second appointment to discuss genetic testing depending on how far along into your pregnancy you are. Prior to this visit you will get an intake questionnaire to complete either on your phone or the computer. This must be completed prior to your phone visit.
Most of your visits after your first visit will be in person. We do use phone visits, for urgent questions to see if you need to come in and/or for follow-up of tests between your in person appointments. We do not routinely offer video appointments at this time.
In Person Visits
After 12 weeks, we will start to see you in person. Your first in person appointment will be a Complete Physical Examination. During this appointment our nurse or physician, will teach you how to do your own weight and blood pressure. You will do this at the beginning of every visit. The complete physical exam, may also include a breast exam (if you consent) and also an internal examination to conduct screening for cervical cancer (pap smear), if you are due. At this visit, we will listen to your baby’s heart beat for the first time.
Following your second in person visit, we will see you:
– Every 4 weeks until 30 weeks
– Every 2 weeks until 36-38 weeks
– Every 1 week until you have your baby
This schedule can vary depending on how your pregnancy progresses.
All in person visits take place in our clinic (link to clinic information for how to get here). When you get to our clinic, our administrative staff will check you in and direct you to the waiting area. In the waiting area, if you are still pregnant, you will do your own weight and blood pressure and record this prior to see the doctor. We aim to see you as close to your scheduled time as possible, however, pregnancy is unpredictable and so we may be running late.
Visits with the Nurse and Lactation Consultant
We have a nurse/lactation consultant who helps us to care for our pregnant or postpartum patients and your baby. You may have a visits with the nurse or lactation consultant scheduled either before or after your appointment with the midwife or doctor. This is in the same location as the doctor’s appointment.
First Trimester (0-13w)
During your first trimester, we get to know you.
We will ask questions about:
– Your medical history
– Your past and current pregnancy history
– Review any testing done so far (e.g. ultrasounds and bloodwork)
– Discuss options for genetic screening
– Discuss other tests that may be required based on your situation
– Discuss your family history
– Discuss your social history (e.g. your supports, any challenges you may have with money, accessing food etc.
– Get to know what is important to you for your care and during your pregnancy.
– Discuss nutrition, food safety and exercise in pregnancy, discuss vitamins and other medications, discuss where you can find pregnancy information and what to do in case of an emergency
– Answer your questions
You typically have 1-2 appointments, virtually during your first trimester. Your complete physical examination may be scheduled at the end of the first trimester. If you are experiencing significant first trimester complications, for example, bleeding, or severe nausea/vomiting you may have more appointments or additional in person visits.
Second Trimester (14-27 weeks)
During your second trimester you are seen every 4 weeks. During these visits we do your weight, blood pressure and measure your uterus and listen to the babies heart beat.
You will also be offered the following:
– A detailed screening ultrasound at 20 weeks. These are usually done at St. Paul’s Hospital. You are able to find out the sex of your baby after this ultrasound if you want
– Bloodwork between 24 and 28 weeks to screen for gestational diabetes mellitus and check for iron deficiency and anemia and recheck your bloodtype if you are Rh negative
– We will discuss with you options for prenatal classes/education, options for doula support during labour, vaccines that are available for you during pregnancy
– Answer your questions
Third Trimester (27-40 weeks)
During your third trimester, starting at 30 weeks you will be seen every 2 weeks. After 36-37 weeks, you will be seen weekly.
Postpartum/After Baby (0 – 8 weeks)