YOUR CARE WITH US:
Connecting with your body, your baby and your community

• A healthy and happy birth begins in early pregnancy when the care you give yourself is probably more important than the care you get from your doctor. We strive to help you make sure that your baby starts life under the best possible conditions.
• Early pregnancy is a time of many changes and it is important that you see a physician soon. Your family doctor is a valuable source of information and guidance.
• Once you know you are pregnant you can contact FPMS Birthdocs yourself or ask your family doctor to make a referral for you. Contact us...
• There are different kinds of services offered by Birthdocs FPMS that may suit different women. See Who We Are or Our Programs...
• Your first appointments with a Birthdocs physician will always be one-on-one, with the goal of getting to know you, your preferences, your health concerns and providing information about what lies ahead. During these 2 or 3 visits, a complete physical examination and discussion about blood tests will also happen.
• At about half-way through the pregnancy, you can then choose between two styles of prenatal care that we offer:
  • Connecting Pregnancy Care: this is an innovative program that combines medical care and prenatal education in a group setting.
  • Traditional Prenatal Appointment care

Connecting Pregnancy Care

• The philosophy of Connecting Pregnancy is to combine the health checks with education, to empower women to take care of themselves, and to encourage women to learn from each other.
• You will be invited to join a group of 8-10 women with a similar due month to yours, starting around 18 weeks of pregnancy. Connecting groups meet monthly for 4 months, then every 2 weeks until the babies are born. Connecting group meetings usually last 2 hours and are organized in the early evening, to accommodate parents with ongoing work commitments.
• The group is co-facilitated by a doctor and a childbirth educator, who will remain with that group for the whole pregnancy.
• Together with the other group members you discuss topics related to pregnancy, birth, parenting, and personal growth. Expectant parents get to know each other and form a support network that often stays connected after the babies all arrive. Many groups have had reunions, long after their pregnancies have completed.
• One obvious advantage of Connecting Pregnancy Care is that prenatal education is built into the program. It's "one-stop shopping" and it's free! Women do not need to seek extra Prenatal Classes - we cover it all.
• Partners are welcome to attend the groups and all health visits.
• You will be shown how to check on your health and the baby's health. At every meeting there is some private time with the doctor and nurse.
• Extra visits with the doctor are scheduled in the clinic if needed: your unique health concerns can be addressed individually. Our priority is to ensure that your medical needs are met and you will have the same level of excellent care as you would with a traditional prenatal appointment.
• Near the end of your pregnancy, you may have 1 or 2 visits with your original Birthdocs physician.

Traditional Pregnancy Care

• Prenatal care occurs at the B.C. Women's Hospital Ambulatory Care Clinic or at one of our doctors' offices.
• You will see the same doctor for most of your pregnancy care.
• At your pregnancy health visits you can discuss your concerns, find out more about your baby, and learn how to be as healthy as possible.
• Health visits occur once a month until about 7 months (30 weeks). Later you see your doctor every 2 weeks, and in the last month you see your doctor every week.
• At each visit you and your baby will be checked to be sure that you are well. We welcome questions and discussion.

For Both Types Of Prenatal Care: