Maternity
What To Expect From Our Maternity Clinic in Calgary
First pregnancy and lots of questions? Our Maternity Clinic in Calgary will answer them. Third baby and forgetful? Not a problem. Feeling overwhelmed after you deliver? We can address that too.
No matter what your concerns, we endeavor to assist our patients in navigating safely through the course of their pregnancy and beyond. We hope to provide you with the tools you need to enter into labour, confident and prepared. Our office can often see patients on short notice. It is important that you call the office first thing in the morning if a concern arises. We will do our very best to try and accommodate you.
For the safety of our patients, our Calgary maternity clinic can only provide care for those patients that are deemed to be low-risk. High-risk patients, such as those with complex or emergent medical conditions during pregnancy, or those patients with significant fetal malformations detected on ultrasound, are best followed by an obstetrician.
Can I Show Up to Any Hospital to Deliver My Baby?
What If My Delivery Does Not Go As Planned?
How Long Will I Stay in Hospital After Delivery?
Do I Need a Birth Plan?
Can Cord Blood Collection be Performed at my Request?
What is Delayed Cord Clamping?
Will My Maternity Care Provider be Present for My Delivery?
Some Important Dates To Remember
9-12 weeks: First Prenatal Visit +/- Dating Ultrasound
9-14 weeks: First Trimester Screen for Chromosomal Abnormalities and Nuchal Ultrasound
18-20 weeks: Ultrasound for Fetal Anatomy
24-28 weeks: Diabetes of Pregnancy Screen
36 weeks: Group B Strep Swab
37 weeks: Delivery (variable)
Prenatal genetic screening tells a woman her chance of having a baby with Down Syndrome, Trisomy 18, Trisomy 13, or an open neural tube defect. Screening is an option that is available free-of-charge for all pregnant women with coverage in AB. As well, there are privately-paid options for early screening that are not available in the AB public medical system, which some women may choose to pay for themselves.
Preparing For Your First Visit
Subsequent Prenatal Visits
Postpartum Visits
Preparing For Your First Visit
At your first visit, you will be asked to complete a comprehensive medical history form. This was allow the physician to identify any risks with your pregnancy as well as assist the physician in building a prenatal record for you. It is important that you try and obtain and remember the details of your medical history, family history, and prior pregnancy history.
The Alberta Prenatal Record is a document that summarizes your medical history as well as the events and investigations that occur during your pregnancy. A copy of this document will be provided to you later in your pregnancy (36th week of pregnancy) and is meant to accompany you when you go to the hospital.The physician may perform a brief examination at the first visit, as well as order any outstanding tests for pregnancy.Subsequent Prenatal Visits
In order to ensure a healthy pregnancy, we encourage you to attend all of your prenatal appointments. Generally, you will be seen every 4 weeks until 28 weeks gestation, every 2 weeks until 36 weeks gestation, and finally every week until delivery. On occasion, your physician may need to see you more often depending on the course of your pregnancy.
At every visit, the fetal heart rate will be checked to ensure it is beating at an appropriate rate. After 20 weeks, your tummy will be measured each visit to check the growth of the baby. At 30 weeks and beyond, the presentation of the baby is checked each visit to determine whether the baby is facing head down (vertex) rather than feet first (breech). The great majority of babies will be head down, which is the ideal presentation for delivery.Postpartum Visits
You and your baby will receive several check-ups after delivery, prior to being discharged back to your family physician. We will make sure that any outstanding issues are addressed and/or communicated to your regular doctor. During these visits, we will focus on your mood, bleeding, future contraceptive plans, and general health.
Ask Your Family Doctor For A Referral