For Moms To Be: Common Questions

When you are going to have a baby, you have a lot of questions. Here below are some of the questions we receive most often.

• When should I start my pregnancy care?
• Who can have care with these Family Doctors?
• How and what do I need to do to be referred?
• How often do I meet with the doctor?
• Do I see my own Family Doctor as well during my pregnancy?
• What if I need to see an Obstetrician?
• Do I go back to my family physician once the baby is born?
• How do the doctors feel about Doulas and labour support people?
• What happens if I need to speak with my doctor urgently between appointments?
• I have a lot of questions about prenatal care and baby care and other stuff! What about these?
• What's the difference between seeing the doctor and a midwife? Can I be seeing both?
• Will the doctor I first meet be the one who'll deliver my baby?
• What usually happens at the first appointment? Is my support person allowed to see the doctor with me?
• How long are the first and subsequent appointments?
• What about Med Students?
• What if drugs are a problem for me?

When should start my pregnancy care?

As early as possible after you know that you are pregnant.

Who can have care with these Family Doctors?

Anyone whose Family Doctor does not provide pregnancy and birth care or anyone who does not have a Family Doctor can obtain care from these doctors.

--[ back to top ]--

How and what do I need to see one of these Family Doctors?

Complete the referral form and fax/mail back to the doctor's address. Download the referral form from here. The Doctor's office will contact you to set up the first appointment and notify the referring physician's office of your appointment date. Alternatively you can telephone the Doctor whom you have selected and make an appointment by phone. Please let them know that you obtained their name through this Website.

How often do I meet with the doctor?

Typically, you will meet with your doctor monthly until the seventh month of pregnancy. Following this you will be asked to attend appointments every 1-2 two weeks. If the physician is concerned about your health, or the health of your baby, you may be asked to come in for more frequent visits.

--[ back to top ]--

What usually happens at the first appointment? Is my support person allowed to see the doctor with me?

At the first appointment, you and the doctor will have a chance to review all the important information about your health and pregnancy so far, including any tests that you may have done. If your family doctor has not had the chance to do a "complete physical exam" (including PAP testing), then this will also be done at this visit. The doctor may also want to talk to you about future testing during the pregnancy, if she or he feels this might be important. In all your visits to your doctor we encourage you to bring your support person.

How long are the first and subsequent appointments?

The first appointment is usually the longest. You'll spend 30 minutes with the doctor, plus 10-15 minutes with the nurse who will teach how to check and record your weight and your urine testing. Follow-up appointments usually last about 10-15 minutes, during which you'll have a chance to review the progress of your pregnancy with your doctor, ask questions and talk about things that are important to you and your partner (about your delivery, breastfeeding, etc.)

Do I see my own Family Doctor as well during my pregnancy?

Once you have seen and chosen one of our doctors, you will be receiving all of your pregnancy and birth care from this new doctor. If for some reason you have other health issues between your pregnancy appointments (for example, you have a cold, or a rash, etc.), then you can certainly connect with your Family Doctor for these type of concerns. During your pregnancy (and with your newborn), we do not recommend visits to Walk-In Clinics.

--[ back to top ]--

What if I need to see an Obstetrician/Specialist?

One of the advantages of working out of BC Women's Hospital is that we have a close working relationship with our specialist colleagues. There is always a specialist on-call in the hospital at all times. If we feel that it would be helpful to seek the Obstetrician's advice during your pregnancy and labour, this is easily arranged. If you do require the help of a specialist, we will still be involved in your care!

Do I go back to my own Family Doctor once the baby is born?

Absolutely! We understand how vitally important it is to promote and maintain your relationship with your Family Doctor. After your baby is born, you will be referred back to your Family Doctor with your new family member. If you do not have a Family Doctor we can help you to find one.

How do the doctors feel about Doulas and labour support people?

The doctors are interested in helping you achieve a comfortable and supportive atmosphere for welcoming your new family member into the world. Doulas have expertise in labour support and are excellent resources for women and their partners. You should discuss this with your doctor. You can also bring helpful family members or a friend to act as your labour support person; again discuss this with your doctor.

--[ back to top ]--

What happens if I need to speak with my doctor urgently between appointments?

During your first visit the doctor will explain how to get hold of him or her during "after-hours". There is always a doctor on call to deal with important issues.

I have a lot of questions about pregnancy, birth and baby care and other stuff! What about these?

During every visit with your doctor, there will definitely be time to address your questions and concerns. Women often write questions down and keep a list. Be sure to bring your questions to your pregnancy visits. There are also a number of very good books and websites about pregnancy. Check our Resource List for some reliable sources or talk to your doctor about this.

What's the difference between seeing the doctor and a midwife? Can I be seeing both?

In BC, family physicians, registered midwives, and obstetricians are all licensed to provide maternity care. Women can see any of these three caregivers, however obstetricians are specialists with extra training in surgical skills and management of complicated pregnancies (ie: twin pregnancy), and they usually see women with complicated pregnancy issues. Most women will see either a midwife or a family physician, both of whom provide a great deal of maternity care in this province. While both midwives and family doctors will provide excellent care for the expectant mother, it is important that a woman choose a caregiver she is most comfortable with.

--[ back to top ]--

Will the doctor I first meet be the one who'll deliver my baby?

An excellent question! The answer is "maybe". Exactly which one will be on-call when a woman goes into labour is determined by the call schedule that the doctors arrange themselves.

Will students be involved with my care?

BC Women's Hospital is a teaching centre for medical nursing, and midwifery students. There is a chance that you may meet these keen learners in various stages of their education - they are generally one of the kindest and most respectful group of learners in our training program and consider the chance to be involved with your labour a privilege. These students are carefully supervised by us and will not be making decisions without our presence and discussion with you. We try to encourage women to allow students to be involved in their labour: all of us can remember being students ourselves and the awesome experience of helping a new member of the family arrive. We encourage you to accept students, but if there are any problems please speak with your doctor.

What if drugs are a problem for me?

The Perinatal Addictions Service physician in the Ambulatory Clinic at BC Women’s Hospital can provide you with advice and assistance if drug use is a problem for you. Drop in Thursdays between 9 - noon and 1 - 4 or call 604-875-2160 to make an appointment.

—[ back to top ]—