THE BIRTH GROUP
Sea to Sky GPs, Midwives, and NPs

The "first prenatal visit" will be booked as a longer visit. During this visit, we go through your entire medical, gynecological and obstetrical history. We will review and order tests that you require and/or opt to have. At one of your appointments early in the pregnancy we will do a full physical exam, which may include a Pap test if you are due for this. Then, you will have routine prenatal appointments scheduled with your doctor at regular intervals.

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The purpose of these visits is to conduct physical check-ups which screen for any problems with mom or baby, to discuss questions or concerns that you have, and to organize and follow-up on lab and ultrasound tests. Normally, we see women every 4 weeks for the first 2 trimesters, every 2 weeks from 28 to 36 weeks, and weekly thereafter until they deliver. If you have a partner or support person that would like to attend your visits, please feel free to bring them to any and all of your appointments. 

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Often, women wonder what tests will be ordered during an uncomplicated pregnancy.

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• In the first trimester, we will order a panel of bloodwork which includes: a blood count, your blood type, an HIV test, a Hepatitis B test, a syphilis test, immunity to Rubella, a screen for thyroid function, a urine culture.

• A chlamydia/gonorrhea test will routinely be collected by urine or by swab 

• Sometime after 7 weeks gestation, a dating ultrasound will be ordered to accurately determine your due date

• We will discuss "prenatal genetic testing" with you, which is something that you may or may not choose to have done. There are a couple of testing options, both private and covered by MSP. We will discuss this in the first trimester since most of the options are best done early. Check the links page for more information on these tests!

• Between 18-22 weeks, the detailed ultrasound is requested. This looks at the baby's anatomy, can usually determine the gender if desired, and tells us the position of the placenta. 

• Between 24-28 weeks, another blood test is ordered. This includes a recheck of your blood count/iron level as well as your blood type. It also includes the test for gestational diabetes, which involves drinking a syrupy orange drink at the lab and then waiting 1-2 hours at the lab for the blood draw. Bring a book or magazine :)

• Between 35-37 weeks, you will have a vaginal swab done for "Group B streptococcus". This is a bacteria found in the lower genital/GI tract of approximately one third of women. It is harmless to women, but can sometimes cause very serious infections in babies. We screen for it, and then those who carry it are given antibiotics during their labour to decrease risk to the baby. (More info in links).

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