We look forward to caring for you for the remainder of your pregnancy. We would like to give you some information that you can refer to during the pregnancy.
In our community, there are three main options for prenatal care: midwives, family physicians and obstetricians. Our obstetricians work closely with the midwives and family physicians who care for clients at Peace Arch Hospital.
If you have a low risk pregnancy, a midwife may be an option for you. Midwives are trained to care for healthy, low risk pregnancies. They will often see you for prenatal care visits at your home, and can also provide prenatal education. A midwife may offer you the option of a home birth, whereas physicians (family physicians and obstetricians) deliver patients in a hospital. If you have complications in your pregnancy, an obstetrician will be consulted.
Peace Arch Hospital is fortunate to have a well established Maternity Clinic, a group of family physicians who work together to provide prenatal care and continuous coverage for patients in our community. Family physicians care for low risk pregnancies. The Peace Arch Maternity Clinic (PAMC) is located in the hospital, in the Vine unit. You may be seen by one or more of the physicians during your pregnancy and will be seen at the hospital by the on call physician for that group. If you have complications in your pregnancy, an obstetrician will be consulted.
Obstetricians are trained in all aspects of prenatal care and delivery. An obstetrician can care for low or high risk pregnancies, but is well suited for patients who have health or pregnancy related risks that require attention. Examples may include a history of pregnancy complications, your own health problems or problems in this pregnancy. Your usual family physician will usually tell you if they prefer you to see an obstetrician. Obstetricians can preform operative deliveries such as forceps deliveries, when required, and can preform C-sections when needed. Our group provides support for the local PAMC and midwives when their patients become more high risk.
At Peace Arch, most of the delivery providers work in groups. This is true for the obstetrics group. If you are being cared for by an obstetrician, you will generally be seen for office visits by your usual obstetrician. When you go to the hospital, however, whether for a pregnancy concern or in labour, you may be seen by one of the five obstetricians working in our group. Our staff doctors include Dr. Gustafson, Dr. Moodliar, and Dr. Wilson. There may also be a locum physician, who is also a trained obstetrician, working in our group at any given time. You may be attended by a male physician, and we can never guarantee that you will only have female care providers. You will not be seen by a trainee (such as a resident or medical student) without you giving your prior permission.
On your first visit you will be seen by your obstetrician, who will confirm your pregnancy and perform an initial obstetrical assessment. You will generally see the same physician for most visits in the office, though you may meet one of the other members of the group if your or our have schedule conflicts. Our members work together as a team to ensure you receive excellent care throughout your pregnancy.
The guideline we use for scheduling prenatal visits is every four weeks for the first 32 weeks of pregnancy, every 2-3 weeks until 36 weeks, and weekly after 36 weeks. Some patients may need more frequent visits.
Some pregnancies are more high risk than others. While an uncomplicated prenatal visit might take just a few short minutes, some visits may take much longer. If there is a change in the status of your pregnancy we will let you know. Please do not schedule yourself too tightly for visits, as that will cause unnecessary stress should yours or a previous visit take longer than expected.
We ask that if you are unable to keep an appointment to please call to cancel or reschedule. Someone else will be able to use the time that we had reserved for you. If we need to reschedule your appointment due to an unexpected medical emergency, you will be contacted as soon as possible.
If you have a routine question, it can often wait until your next prenatal visit. We encourage you to call and make an appointment for pregnancy concerns rather than speaking to front desk staff, as they are unable to answer medical questions.
If you have an urgent concern during business hours, we ask that you call us first, unless it is an emergency, so we can be aware of your concern. During business hours, our office staff will return non-urgent calls in late morning or the end of the day. If you have concerns after hours, you will be prompted to contact Peace Arch Hospital If you have an emergency (bleeding, leaking amniotic fluid, baby is not moving, severe pain, etc.) you should immediately contact Peace Arch Hospital at (604) 535-4500. The Labour and Delivery ward is reached at extension 757273. Keep this number handy. The phone is answered 24 hours a day by a trained labour and delivery nurse who can contact the on-call doctor. The staff can get a hold of one of the obstetricians at all times day or night, if needed.
If you are less than 20 weeks pregnant you will likely be directed to the Emergency department. If you are more than 20 weeks pregnant you will most likely be seen on the maternity ward, but it will depend on what symptoms you are having.
We believe that the more you learn about what is happening during pregnancy, birth and the months after delivery, the more fun you will have and the healthier you will be. There are many resources within Fraser Health to help you along the way.Fraser Health offers a "Best Beginnings" program. By registering your pregnancy, you will be connected to our services to support you along your pregnancy and after your baby is born.
You can also contact the local public health unit. The South Surrey/White Rock Public Health Unit is in the Vine unit at 15476 Vine Avenue. The phone number is (604) 542-4000 and they operate Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Or you can call the BC Nurses lines at 811.
Our goal is to support the patient in finding their own best plan for feeding their baby or babies. There are recognised health benefits to breastfeeding. However, every woman, baby and family has their own individual situation that may make breastfeeding impractical or even impossible. You may read posts on the web that suggest that breastfeeding is the only good way to feed a baby, and that women harm their babies by not breastfeeding. Those comments are untrue and lead to shame and disappointment if breastfeeding is not successful. Remember that the benefits of breastfeeding are minimal and never worth damage to the baby or your self-esteem: "Baby friendly" should not come without "Mommy friendly."
If you plan to breastfeed, studies have shown that learning about breastfeeding and preparing in advance of birth lead to longer and more successful breastfeeding. Luckily, there are many resources available to support your plan to breastfeed. Online, you can find your local "La Leche League", an international organisation to support breastfeeding mothers. Currently, they are not offered at the local health unit (please feel free to contact them and request that they resume) but they are offered at nearby health units.
Whether you plan to breast, bottle or mix feed your newborn, please let us know your plans so we can support you along the way.
A doula is someone who provides non-medical support to women and their families during labour and childbirth, and also the postpartum period. A doula is a one-to-one during your labour. Doulas provide emotional support, physical comfort measures, and an objective viewpoint, as well as help you obtain the information you need to make informed decisions. Studies have shown that having a personal attendant, such as a doula, in labour, lessen the need for pain medications and may lessen the chance of a C-section, when compared with routine care. Doulas are not medical practitioners and are not there to make medical decisions for you.
Family members may not be the right ones to offer that support in some cases. We encourage all our patients to have a labour helper (experienced family member or doula) whom they have chosen in advance of labour. You can learn more online; Doulas charge anywhere between $300 and $1500 for a birth package
A midwife will offer one-to-one support during your labour, and will also manage your labour. Usually, patients will have either a registered midwife or an obstetrician, but not both. An exception may be when a normal pregnancy becomes high risk, and care may be transferred.
As part of good prenatal care, our staff recommends certain tests to detect infections and other conditions in pregnancy.
• CBC: This test will check for anemia and other factors.
• Blood Type and RH: A pregnant woman who is Rh negative may need to receive a blood product called anti D Immune Globulin (RhoGAM). This prevents the breakdown of your baby's red blood cells, a serious condition which causes hemolytic disease.
• Antibody Screen: This test will check for red blood cell antibodies.
• Syphilis: A sexually transmitted disease which can cause birth defects.
• Hepatitis B: If the mother has this viral infection of the liver there is an increased chance that without treatment the baby will be infected. The baby can be treated at birth to prevent infection in most cases.
• TSH: A screening test for thyroid disease.
• Rubella (German Measles): An infection can lead to severe birth defects. If a woman is not immune, a vaccine can be given to her after the baby is born.
• Pap Smear: A screening test for cervical cancer. This wil usually be done if it is due or becomes due during the pregnancy. We will know whether or not you need a pap from the results of your last pap test.
• Chlamydia and/or Gonorrhea: Screening cultures that can detect sexually transmitted diseases that can potentially be harmful to you and your baby if not treated.
• Urinalysis: A screening test for urinary tract infection and culture.
• Glucose Screen: To check for diabetes in pregnancy.
• Blood Count: To recheck for anemia.
• Antibody Screen: If you are Rh negative, administration of RhoGAM.
• Group B Strep Culture: Group B Strep is a common bacterium found in many womens' vaginas that could infect the baby. The swab is taken by placing a swab at the opening of the vagina and onto your anus. This is not invasive and does not usually hurt.
There are many options available for prenatal screening in BC. Some of these are included in your pharmacare at no additional cost, and some are offered at additional cost. Standard prenatal testing can detect Trisomy 21, Trisomy 18 and offer early diagnosis of spina bifida. Additional testing can detect Trisomy 13 and some heart defects. Trisomy 21 is also called Down Syndrome and is the most common genetic defect in newborns. Babies with Trisomy 21 have developmental defects and sometimes heart and other defects. Trisomy 21 can sometimes be missed on standard ultrasound, which is why additional testing is offered. Trisomy 13 and 18 are much less common (1 in 7000 pregnancies) and nearly always cause major defects that can be seen on ultrasound at 19-20 weeks, but can be discovered earlier with prenatal testing. Trisomy 13 and 18 are not compatible with life. People with Trisomy 21, on the other hand, can lead long and full lives.
The first decision to make is whether to have prenatal screening at all. The risk of your pregnancy being affected by Trisomy 21 depends on your age. If you have an IVF pregnancy with a donor egg, it depends on the age of the donor. The risk of Trisomy 21 at various age is:
• Age 25: 1 in 1250
• Age 35: 1 in 356
• Age 40: 1 in 98
• Age 45: 1 in 24
Prenatal screening tests can detect up to 99% of cases of Trisomy 21. The screening options available in BC are all a little different and include the SIPS, IPS, FTS, NIPT and amniocentesis.
Prenatal ultrasound tests use high frequency sound waves, inaudible to the human ear, that are transmitted through the abdomen via a device called a transducer to look at the inside of the abdomen. With prenatal ultrasound, the echoes are recorded and transformed into video or photographic images of your baby. Studies have shown that ultrasound is not hazardous. There are no harmful side effects to you or your baby. In addition, ultrasound does not use radiation, as X-ray tests do.
The ultrasound can be used during pregnancy to show images of the baby, amniotic sac, placenta and ovaries. Major anatomical abnormalities or birth defects are visible on an ultrasound.
Most prenatal ultrasound procedures are preformed topically, or on the surface of the skin, using a gel as a conductive medium to aid in the image quality. However, a transvaginal ultrasound is an alternative procedure in which a tubular probe is inserted into the vaginal canal. This method of ultrasound produces an image quality that is greatly enhanced, but it is not a common prenatal procedure. However, it may be used early in pregnancy to get a clearer view of the uterus or ovaries if a problem is suspected. It may also be used early in pregnancy to determine how far along you are in your pregnancy (gestational age).
• In the first trimester to establish dates. If you have an ultrasound between 10 and 14 weeks, the size of the baby at that time will give your due date. That due date does not change based on later studies. It may also determine if there is more than one fetus!
• At around 20 weeks into the pregnancy. During this ultrasound, the doctor will confirm that the placenta is healthy and that your baby is growing properly in the uterus. The baby's heartbeat and movement of its body, arms and legs can also be seen on this ultrasound. If you wish to know the gender of the baby, it can usually be determined by 20 weeks. Be sure to tell the health care provider performing the ultrasound whether or not you want to know the gender of the baby. Please note that ultrasound is not a foolproof method to determine your baby's gender; there is a chance that ultrasound images can be misinterpreted.
• Some women may also have an ultrasound in the third trimester if required. This may be used to determine the health and growth of the baby if in question, placental location if needed, position of the baby if uncertain, and expected weight if thought to be very large or small. This ultrasound is not routine and we will let you know if it is required.
The majority of expectant mothers can continue to work until late in pregnancy without any complications. Sometimes, however, the physical changes that occur in pregnancy and/or the demands of a woman's job can create difficulties. Please let us know if you have any concerns in this regard.
We are usually able to suggest simple steps to deal with fatigue, "morning sickness" or aches and pains that can be particularly challenging at work. If you experience more serious symptoms, or concerns about potential workplace hazards to you or your baby, please inform us. We will evaluate the situation and respond accordingly.
If your doctor determines you should be places on disability or medical leave, you will often need to obtain forms from your employer. There is a $40 fee for processing simple disability forms. More involved forms may involve a higher fee and will be told in advance. Please allow 7-10 business days for completion of these documents.
Travel during pregnancy is always tricky, and our advice in general is not to plan to leave the country while you are pregnant. However, real life kicks in and sometimes it's desired or unavoidable. Women with low risk pregnancies can usually travel relatively safely during the mid-portion of pregnancy. Short trips, especially within the country and in urban areas are usually safe, but always ask your obstetrician in advance of travel.
If you choose to travel, here are some pointers:
• First 12 weeks: In the first 12 weeks, there is about a 1/8 chance of miscarrying the pregnancy. This sometimes comes with severe pain and heavy bleeding, and could necessitate hospitalisation and possible a blood transfusion. Consider where you are planning to go and access to medical care at your destination. Also, you will want to check if your travel insurance will cover you with a diagnosed pregnancy. Though not a problem for some women, "morning sickness" during this time can make vacations less appetising.
• From 13-23 weeks: During this time the chance of pregnancy loss is lower, but not zero. This is often a time where women choose to travel. Keep in mind that some blood tests (such as the SIPS) generally are scheduled during this time, as well as your detailed pregnancy ultrasound. If you deliver the baby during this time, it will not survive and medical care will be primarily for you. Again, you should consider whether your travel insurance will cover you.
• From 23-36 weeks: This is often a time where many women choose to travel. Most of the major prenatal tests are done by this time. If the baby deliveries early, before 34 weeks, it will likely need to stay in a specialised nursery and receive medical care. This is unlikely to be covered by your travel insurance and recent media cases have shown how expensive these bills can become! Make sure you have a plan to get home in case of emergency.
Call to make an appointment today! 604-385-4966