Any Canadian Mamas?

Kyleen14 · October 2014

Any mommy-to-bes in Canada? Things are a little different here so I thought it would be great to connect! Where are you and how far along? I'm in Burlington, On and am 8weeks 5 days!

xxstephh · October 2014

I'm canadian !

I'm in Newfoundland,
& 9 weeks today !

TBsquared · October 2014

Hello!!! I'm in Alberta! 10 weeks 3 days today. 2nd baby, already have a 28 month old daughter!

josim · October 2014

In BC...FTM 10w2d....going for my first ultrasound Oct 28.

Can I just add that I LOVE our healthcare system!

marijaa333 · October 2014

Canuck here but south of the border! Have a cup of Tim's for me!

lladymack · October 2014

I'm from Toronto but living in Switzerland for the next year

staccajaye · October 2014

Hi, Im 12 weeks and an Aussie living in Toronto ON, but I am moving back to Australia in February.

OlgaN15 · October 2014

I'm a Canadian, but live south of the border. 10w2d for me. I also love Canada's healthcare system. It's so much less stressful. Also, their mat leave is great.

marijaa333 · October 2014

Canadian healthcare has been hit and miss for me. Some of it has been great, but some of it has not. If you need to go to a walk-in clinic in the winter in a large city in Ontario (e.g. Ottawa, Toronto, Mississauga), you could be waiting hours and hours. If you need emergency surgery and end up at one of the hospitals that haven't seen a coat of paint since the 1990s, it can get pretty depressing (e.g. old wing of St. Joe's in Toronto). In the US, the cost is higher (and the whole system is absolutely ridiculous from a financial point of view), but in my experience the facilities have been better maintained. I haven't noticed a difference as far as the skill levels of various medical staff go. Experience with dentists has been identical, except I have a higher deductible in the US.

The maternity leave is a different story. The US offers 12 weeks unpaid and some states extend that slightly, but it's still a far cry from the 12 months in Canada that can be shared between partners. I often wonder whether I'll just have to quit my job next year - there is no way I'm going back after 12 weeks, even though I like what I do and have every intention of returning to work.

mb1383 · October 2014

Hello!
I am 10w2d and already have a DS who is 26 months. I live in Milton ON.

josim · October 2014

Sometimes I've waited hours too--but when it turned out to be appendicitis and I needed surgery, I walked out afterwards without paying a dime.

When my dad had cancer, he received amazing care from the oncology team, and my parents didnt have to sell their house.

Maybe I'm biased, but I'll take that over aesthetics.

I can't imagine having to make those decisions about mat leave

it sounds awful to choose to quit or return after 12 weeks

justkeeptrying · October 2014

I'm from Winnipeg, MB. FTM and 10 weeks 3 days. Had an ultrasound at 8 weeks after some spotting - baby looking strong with a heartbeat of 179. This Wednesday we have our first appointment with our OB. Should get to hear the heartbeat!!!

As someone who works in a hospital, I have mixed feelings about our healthcare. Yes, the wait times can be ridiculous at times, but when you see people coming in with no insurance and wracking up a $300,000 bill, you appreciate our free health care.

And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the sound of our one year mat leave!!!

Nita2603 · October 2014

I am German, but living in Ontario, Canada. And here to stay.

3rd baby, due May 12th.

Having lived with the German healthcare system most of my life, I am not happy with the Canadian some days - but I have also lived in the US and I guess I am ok. ;-)

josim · October 2014

None of our infrastructure is as good as Germany's

krislynn20 · October 2014

Hi!
I'm in Barrie, On. 11w4d and this will be my first! Very thankful for 12 month maternity leave, couldn't imagine having to go back after 12 weeks.

jwm29 · October 2014

Kyleen14 said:
Any mommy-to-bes in Canada? Things are a little different here so I thought it would be great to connect! Where are you and how far along? I'm in Burlington, On and am 8weeks 5 days!

I'm in Hamilton!!! So right down the road from you! I'm 11 weeks 4 days!

queenrich · October 2014

Hello!!
I'm from the west coast BC! I'm 11wks +1 day with my first babe! It's nice to connect with fellow Canadians!

With all the taxes we pay- we better get 12 month maternity leave & good health care!!

marijaa333 · October 2014

@chambersbaby2015 I lived in the Peg for three years and (mostly) loved it! Even witnessed a friend giving birth (at Women's Hospital -- the room and her doctors and nurses were fantastic!).

@queenrich income tax is essentially the same in the US! Sales taxes are lower, but that doesn't make up for the difference in the lack of education and health benefits.

What I think we're getting wrong on both sides of the border is the lack of affordable childcare (except Quebec).

EntropicEpona · October 2014

I'm a Canuck! But live south of the border (in Seattle) right now.

I looooved my Canadian healthcare, but aside from the massive cost, I love my US doctors pretty hardcore.

marijaa333 · October 2014

@josim I think Obamacare has changed things for the better for a lot of people. For those of us who get insurance through work, after meeting a deductible, everything is free just like in Canada. So, it comes down to a $50 or so difference per month, which is, in my case, more than made up for by the difference in salary and the lower cost of living (clothes, groceries, etc.); however, for those who do not have good health insurance, it is absolutely awful. Time Magazine did a special report a couple of years ago that detailed the insanity of the US medical system: https://healthland.time.com/why-medical-bills-are-killing-us/

And yes, the mat leave dilemma is super annoying!

jenari2013 · October 2014

Hi Ladies,

I'm on the East coast of Canada…I have no idea how far along I am at this point since we managed to conceive before I had my first period after DD. I get my ultrasound date on Wednesday though so I'm anxious to find out the details…I'm guessing I'm 8ish weeks along.

Very grateful for our healthcare system here and the mat leave…After just going through this in the past year I can't imagine how hard it would be to have to think of the financial side of having a baby plus the limited mat leave. I've really really enjoyed my year off with my sweet girl!

josim · October 2014

@marijaa333‌ that's really great to hear. I couldn't believe how many people were against it (side note...can't it just be called "healthcare" instead of "obamacare"?) I live so close to the border, I zip across to take advantage of cheaper gas and clothing

marijaa333 · October 2014

@josim It's technically called Affordable Care, it was just dubbed obamacare because he pushed it through. And I still can't believe the resistance either. Oh, America... 8-|

babywall24 · October 2014

Im 8 weeks today, from Courtice, ON! First baby

SeventyThree · October 2014

Another Canadian living in the U.S. here! I agree with most of what has been said above re: healthcare, paying doctor's bills is SUPER annoying and something I never had to think about before moving here. My husband is always quick to point out that there was some study done ranking healthcare in various first-world nations and that even though the U.S. was dead last, Canada came in right behind it... so I guess there's always room for improvement.

On a lighter note, this baby definitely knows it's half Canadian: over the last few weeks I have craved a Tim Horton's everything bagel with cream cheese, Ruffles all dressed chips, wine gums (was shocked to realize these don't exist around here), and Red River cereal! The dry goods can all be acquired online at extortionist prices, but I'm not THAT desperate... yet.

mellemarie · October 2014

Northwest Ontario here! 11 weeks with my first

josim · October 2014

@SeventyThree‌ oh dear god...no wine gums??? Savages!!

queenrich · October 2014

marijaa333 said:

@chambersbaby2015 I lived in the Peg for three years and (mostly) loved it! Even witnessed a friend giving birth (at Women's Hospital -- the room and her doctors and nurses were fantastic!).

@queenrich income tax is essentially the same in the US! Sales taxes are lower, but that doesn't make up for the difference in the lack of education and health benefits.

What I think we're getting wrong on both sides of the border is the lack of affordable childcare (except Quebec).

Income taxes might be similar, however we also pay taxes in other areas. I can't speak for all of Canada, but in BC when teachers want a raise, our property taxes increase. We have a higher sales tax in Canada (depending what province you live in it can be quite high). We also pay carbon taxes, fuel taxes, transit taxes, etc. So yes, taxes add up.

josim · October 2014

Actually, when bc teachers "want a raise", the money comes from the millions the government didn't pay during job action. And they didn't get a raise for 3 years. So there's that.

claudizzleriffic · October 2014

Hey everyone! Liking the idea for this thread.
I'm out on the West Coast (Vancouver). First baby - 10 weeks tomorrow! Nice to 'meet' you all

queenrich · October 2014

josim said:

Actually, when bc teachers "want a raise", the money comes from the millions the government didn't pay during job action. And they didn't get a raise for 3 years. So there's that.

Totally. But yet property taxes will rise... ohh the lovely government. Don't get me wrong, I love the teachers!

josim · October 2014

@queenrich Maybe, maybe not...Municipal elections coming up!!

SeventyThree · October 2014

josim said:

@SeventyThree‌ oh dear god...no wine gums??? Savages!!

@josim I know, right?!? The crazy part is that I've somehow lived here for 2 years without noticing - too busy indulging in crazy American snack foods, I guess!

The worst part is that I was in Toronto a week before I found out I was pregnant. Not that I would necessarily have anticipated my cravings, it's just killing me that I didn't stock up while I had the opportunity.

Kyleen14 · October 2014

I'm actually in Waterdown but say Burlington bc no one ever knows where that is lol. Have you picked your hospital yet?

Telus · October 2014

I'm at 10 weeks, in Saskatchewan! Anyone nearby?

lizzbeth06 · October 2014

I'm 9 weeks and 5 days tomorrow! And I'm in Newfoundland!

Kae42 · October 2014

8 weeks 5 days, Winnipeg. Definitely love our healthcare, I would hate to factor in money to the medical choices that need to be made during pregnancy, labour and postpartum

Starla777 · October 2014

11 weeks along with first, from Ontario

TBsquared · October 2014

Telus said:
I'm at 10 weeks, in Saskatchewan! Anyone nearby?

I'm from Moose Jaw, sask! Living in alberta though. Where in sask are you?

TBsquared · October 2014

SeventyThree said:
Another Canadian living in the U.S. here! I agree with most of what has been said above re: healthcare, paying doctor's bills is SUPER annoying and something I never had to think about before moving here. My husband is always quick to point out that there was some study done ranking healthcare in various first-world nations and that even though the U.S. was dead last, Canada came in right behind it... so I guess there's always room for improvement.

On a lighter note, this baby definitely knows it's half Canadian: over the last few weeks I have craved a Tim Horton's everything bagel with cream cheese, Ruffles all dressed chips, wine gums (was shocked to realize these don't exist around here), and Red River cereal! The dry goods can all be acquired online at extortionist prices, but I'm not THAT desperate... yet.

Ok now I really want wine gums!

DL26 · October 2014

I'm in saskatchewan too! I'm 13 weeks 2 days!

Want a personalized experience?

Any Canadian Mamas?

Re: Any Canadian Mamas?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards