I’m Pregnant. Now What?
You bought a home pregnancy test from the pharmacy. You followed the instructions. You peed on the stick and it says you’re pregnant. What’s your next step? This post will help you navigate the healthcare system in the first few months of your pregnancy. First of all, congratulations! Let’s talk about the first couple of steps in the exciting journey that is pregnancy to parenthood.
Step 1: Call Your Family Doctor to Book an Appointment
What happens at this appointment?
Requisition for routine blood work*
The do’s and don’ts during pregnancy with focus on nutrition and activities
Booking ultrasounds
Discussing common and normal pregnancy symptoms and how to cope with them or manage them
Referral to obstetrician or midwife as requested
Prescription to alleviate pregnancy symptoms as needed
*Blood-work to confirm pregnancy, immunity to harmful diseases, thyroid hormone level, blood type and Hemoglobin levels
Step 2: Keep Yourself Organised
After your appointment with your family doctor your next doctors’ appointment will be between 8-12 weeks pregnant.
Which health care providers can care for you during pregnancy in Ontario?
Some Family doctors
Midwives
Obstetricians
Here’s where things can get confusing.
At around 8 weeks you should be booking two things. First, a 12-week ultrasound alongside blood work. Second, a 12-week prenatal appointment with your primary care provider who will look after you for the remainder of your pregnancy. Your family doctor, obstetrician or midwife can give you the requisitions and make the booking. It’s your job to confirm that the ultrasound has been booked and that the results get sent to the appropriate primary care provider. You also need to ensure you do the ultrasound and blood-work at the appropriate time based on the number of weeks pregnant because this test is time sensitive.
Why is the 12-week ultrasound so important?
The 12-week ultrasound, also called the nuchal translucency (NT), measures the fold behind baby’s neck and provides information about your baby’s risk for certain chromosomal abnormalities. The measurement from this ultrasound in combination with your age and bloodwork results provide a ratio of risk for the above-mentioned chromosomal abnormalities. The ultrasound is time sensitive and can only be done between 11-14 weeks pregnant with most women completing it around 12 weeks. In short, at 8 weeks book the 12-week ultrasound and blood work, and follow up to make sure it gets sent to your primary care provider.
Step 3: At 12 Weeks Pregnant
The goal is that by 12 weeks you have completed the 12-week ultrasound and blood-work so that the results can be discussed with you at your 12-week prenatal appointment.
Takeaway Summary
Your home pregnancy test is positive
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Book an appointment with your family doctor
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Confirm you have an ultrasound booked for 12 weeks pregnant and that you have a requisition for blood-work
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Make sure your results get sent to your primary care provider of choice