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PREGNANCY JOURNEY

COVID-19 Effective June 1, 2024: Masks are NO longer required in the hospital & clinic. If you are unwell please call us & we will determine if we need to reschedule your visit. We are doing some visits over the telephone and doctors may call from a private number. We recommend Covid-19 vaccines for all pregnant individuals.

First Trimester:
Conception – 12 weeks:
appointments every 4 weeks
at your first visit our goal is to get to know you
● review your medical history
● review past and current pregnancy history
● review ultrasounds & lab work
● review genetic screening options
● order any tests that may still be required
● answer your questions

Resources:


To help keep everyone safe:

● call us if you are feeling unwell and we can decide if it’s best to reschedule or keep your appointment
● you may bring one support person to your visit: please ensure you are both well
● a virtual hospital tour is available

Second Trimester:
12-24 weeks: appointments every 4 weeks
during this time we will
● listen to baby’s heartbeat, measure your uterus & check your blood pressure at each visit
● at 19-21 weeks:
organize a detailed (anatomic) ultrasound
● at 24-28 weeks:
perform a gestational diabetes test
● discuss vaccinations (Tdap & RSV)
● discuss if Rhogam is or is not appropriate
and administer if warranted
● answer your questions

Resources: Prenatal Classes

Other Useful Resources

● Questions about Vaccines in Pregnancy?


Third Trimester:
28-36 weeks: appointments every 2 weeks
37-40 weeks: apts once per week until delivery
during this time we will
● listen to baby’s heartbeat, measure your uterus and
check your blood pressure at each visit
● do a Group B Strep (GBS) swab
between 35-37 weeks
● discuss labour, delivery
& any birth preferences you may have
● ensure you are registered at the hospital
● ensure you have taken a virtual hospital tour
● answer your questions

Resources:
● Preparing for Your Stay at LGH
● Labour & Birth

Labour & Delivery:
If you think you’re in labour, or if your water breaks, it’s time to call the hospital (604) 988-3131 and ask to speak with Labour and Delivery.

Once you arrive at the hospital, you’ll be assessed by a maternity nurse who will then notify our team. We are always available to help you through this exciting time.

After delivery, during your hospital stay we continue working with the nurses to take care of you and your baby, should you require the care of an obstetrician or paediatrician we continue as a part of your support network.

Postpartum:
As you and baby adjust to the first weeks postpartum, we continue to support you. Below is a list of common issues you might seek assistance with:
● breastfeeding
● monitoring baby’s growth & development
● healing after delivery
● mental health concerns
● contraception/birth control

Resources:
What to expect in the Postpartum Period

BABY
● Baby’s Best Chance
● Caring for Kids: Canadian Paediatric Society
● Purple Crying
● Rourke Baby Record

We typically see patients at:
1, 2 & 6 weeks postpartum:
the schedule may be adjusted based on your needs. After this we will transition you back to your family doctor.

If you have an emergency concern such as heavy vaginal bleeding or severe pain and cannot wait
for a response from an on-call doctor, please go directly to Emergency OR CALL LABOUR AND DELIVERY

FAQ:

I am a patient with questions or concerns. If you are not yet a patient of LGMC, please call your family doctor or walk-in clinic. After your first appointment with LGMC we are available 24 hours a day for maternity related issues.

Please call the clinic at (604) 985-6408. Outside clinic hours listen to the recording to get the name and number of the on-call doctor. We prefer you contact us with all maternity & baby related concerns rather than going to a walk-in clinic or calling the nurses help line.

We do our best to respond quickly, but occasionally are tied up in a delivery. Please call us back if we have not returned your call in 30-60 minutes.

What is the earliest I can attend LGMC? Once the pregnancy has been confirmed by ultrasound, we book your first appointment for around 10 weeks of pregnancy

Are all fees covered by MSP? Do you charge for forms? Most services (office visits & phone calls) are covered by MSP. Uninsured services (forms etc) are not covered by MSP. You may pay a block fee ($50) to cover all forms.

Are there vaccines I should get during pregnancy? We recommend getting a Tdap booster when you are between 27-32 weeks of pregnancy. This is to provide some immunity to babies before they are eligible to receive vaccines themselves.

I am interested in genetic screening. Can I get more information? Yes – this is one of the important discussion we have during your first appointment. We will discuss different options and you can decide which you prefer or you can choose to decline any genetic screening.

Can I have a support person in labour?
Of course! You may have two support person in labour (plus a doula if desired). If these people have symptoms, have been instructed to self-isolate or have tested positive for COVID-19 you will need to find an alternate support person.

Can I have a doula? Yes! You may have a certified doula in addition to your two support people. Can I have a midwife? No. You will need to decide to have your prenatal care & delivery with us OR with a midwife.

Are any of your doctors taking patients after pregnancy? No. If you don’t have a family doctor, you will need to find one before your baby’s one month visit. GP Link may be able to assist you in finding a family doctor on the North Shore.



Does our group do home visits after delivery? We do not. Public health nurses will contact you postpartum and they can do home visits. Canopy Midwives & Vera Berard may also be able to provide postpartum only services for you (which includes home visits).


Do we have a Farsi speaking doctor? We do not. We do have access to translation services for your appointment if required.

Are we a group of OB specialists? We are family doctors that do prenatal care for patients who are low risk: please ask your doctor or walk-in clinic to refer you to a OB Specialists if needed.

I am over 40 years old – am I considered high risk? No. If you do not have other health concerns that make you a higher risk, then we can do your prenatal care. If there’s any concern that requires further consultation with a specialist, we will contact them.
Is 45+ considered high risk? If you are 45 and over, you will need to be referred to an OB specialist.

I’m having twins – can I still be seen by LGMC? Congrats! No, you will need to be referred to an OB specialist.

I want to have a C-section. What do I need to do? Once you get to 26-30 weeks of pregnancy, you will be referred to an OB specialist to discuss C-section. If you decide to do a c-section, we assist the specialist during delivery and do the remainder of your prenatal & postpartum care.

Can I have both LGMC and a midwife? No – you can only have one prenatal care provider. If you decide to transfer care, please let us know so we can cancel your upcoming appointments.

Do I choose which doctor to deliver? No – our group works as a team, taking turns to be on call. Whoever is on-call when you’re in labour will help you deliver your baby.

Do I need to wear a mask in labour? Mask are not required at prenatal visits or during your stay at LGH. If you have symptoms of respiratory infections, please wear a mask & notify the clinic.

Can I have visitors after my delivery? Presently (June 2024) there are no restrictions on number of visitors but keep in mind that you may be tired & want to rest and recover after delivery. Siblings may visit.

We are happy to answer any and all additional questions during your first appointment.