Question for Canadians

NNGnome · March 2011

I am a little confused, I had my first appointment with my family doctor today, as I do not have an OB/Gyn, and I expected her to confirm pregnancy, and send me to an Ob/Gyn.

Instead I had blood work and an ultrasound set up for the end of April, and an appointment for my first prenatal exam Apr 29^th. Now don?t get me wrong, I love my family doctor, and I am glad to share this with her, but I am confused now, will she continue to do my check-ups, and should I be looking for an Ob/Gyn and midwife on my own?

ETA: Fixing spelling and grammer

Tomsbabyboo · March 2011

Where I am in Ontario, my family Dr. will see me until 28 weeks. I have already gotten a referral to see an Obs/Gyn. from 28 weeks until delivery. Your Dr. should be able to clarify this for you and likely will be the one to refer you to Obs.Gyn if that is their process (especially if they don't deliver themselves). My Dr. asked me if there was anyone in particular that I wanted so I made a request for someone who I heard good things about. Good luck figuring out how it works in your area, I know the process can vary by region.

~Kitty~ · March 2011

Tomsbabyboo:
Where I am in Ontario, my family Dr. will see me until 28 weeks. I have already gotten a referral to see an Obs/Gyn. from 28 weeks until delivery. Your Dr. should be able to clarify this for you and likely will be the one to refer you to Obs.Gyn if that is their process (especially if they don't deliver themselves). My Dr. asked me if there was anyone in particular that I wanted so I made a request for someone who I heard good things about. Good luck figuring out how it works in your area, I know the process can vary by region.

This exactly. Good luck!

danie02 · March 2011

I'm from Saskatchewan, and with my first pregnancy I didn't have a family doctor so I went to the OBGYN right away, I finally found a family Dr. at about 4 months pregnant, so I saw both. Now I'm 9 weeks pregnant with my second and I've only seen my family Dr. I asked him the same questions as you and he said I didn't need to see a specialist right away unless something weird happens. which was great news because the wait was always so long at the OBGYN lol. Hope this helps. Good luck and have fun!!!

trishinbanff · March 2011

You won't start going to the OB/GYN until the end of the pregnacy. I like that I can still see my family doctor and dont' have to start new with someone. My first US isn't until 3rd week of april so we won't have an exact due date until then.

Good luck!

t

NNGnome · March 2011

Thank you all, this really helps, I guess I will find out more at my appointment in April, I just wasn't sure if I should be doing something else, and as pp said, I am glad I get to stay with my family Dr for now,

CGood83 · March 2011

I live in Ontario and this is my 1st baby. I am going to a midwife and I know that because this is the route that I am taking I had to research it out myself and make an initial appointment with them and did not see my family Dr at all.

likitten007 · March 2011

CGood83:
I live in Ontario and this is my 1st baby. I am going to a midwife and I know that because this is the route that I am taking I had to research it out myself and make an initial appointment with them and did not see my family Dr at all.

This. I am in BC and midwives are covered by our BC Care Card, but you have to take the initiative yourself to select whether this is the right option for you, research whether there is one practicing in your community, and make the first appointment. I still have a family doctor and she knows I am pregnant but is not the primary caregiver for me during this pregnancy.

lovelyladylump · March 2011

I'm in Saskatchewan, my family doctor did the first blood req. and once it confirmed that I was pregnant, she reffered me to an OBGYN of my choosing. She went over my list of choices and paired me with one she thinks fits my personality and what I want ina birth:)

I will have my first appt. with her on Apr 6 (about 7 weeks at that point, we think, we'll find out for sure at that appt.). It seems odd to me that I wouldn't be seeing an OBGYN right from the beginning to monitor my pregnancy? But this is also my first so I'm completely blind to what goes on! Obviously, the health care system here varies from other provinces too, so this is just my experience so far.

If you do look for one on your own, or you get a choice, try www.ratemds.com, there are reviews for doctors and specialists in your area! Take the reviews with a grain of salt, but it gives you a bit of insight:)

LauraElizabeth85 · March 2011

I think it depends on what your (family) doctor is certified to do.

I am from Ontario and my family MD confirmed my pregnancy with a urine test and refered me to an OBGYN.

diego299 · March 2011

My sister is in Ottowa and she said in Canada they typically stay with their family doc until 20wks. She got in a little early at 16 weeks.

ababymaybe · March 2011

Ditto what everyone else said, but you may want to start asking around (friends, family) for OB/GYN recs since your GP will likely ask you who you want to be referred to. Also think about what hospital you want to deliver at, since drs typically work out of one hospital.

Lady Strife · March 2011

I'm in Alberta, and i stay with my family doc until about 20 weeks, then i go to the mat clinic... i dont have an ultrasound til end of june- 19 weeks.

TeacherVicky · March 2011

My family doctor takes care of prenatal care until 20w and will then the patient continues with an OBGYN or a GP who practices obstetrics. Another option is to start your prenatal care with a midwife right away.

I'm already seeing an OBGYN but I have a history of m/c.

NNGnome · March 2011

Thank you all for your help, I feel much more confident about next steps. I will definitly be asking around and looking into midfwife choices.

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