We like to have the introductory visit with you during the first trimester - typically between 6 and 12 weeks. This allows us to take a full history and help with screening tests to monitor your pregnancy. Prior to the visit, you will receive a link to complete your medical history. During the first visit, you will meet our secretarial and nursing supports. You will also meet one of us and review how we cover on call and the typical medical visit structure during pregnancy. We routinely see patients every 4 weeks in the first trimester, every 2 weeks in the second, and every week after 35 weeks. We are also primary care practitioners and can provide support to non-pregnancy issues during your pregnancy. Don't be afraid to reach out!

Due Date Calculator   Pregnancy Symptoms   Announcing Pregnancy    Medications in Pregnancy 

In Lindsay, there are two ultrasound departments we typically refer to:

1 - RMH Diagnostic Imaging on 10 Angeline St N

2 - Lindsay Ultrasound and X-ray on 86 Angeline St S

We order an ultrasound in the first trimester to confirm dating and can arrange this at your first visit.

As part of routine pregnancy care, we offer every patient screening bloodwork at the first visit. This includes a blood count, a blood type and antibody screen, a screen for communicable diseases (HIV, Hepatis B/C, Syphyilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea) and a urine culture for bacteria. After our discussion with you we may order other screening tests as indicated by your medical history.

We are able to offer the option to screen your pregnancy for risk for certain genetic/chromosomal conditions. There are a few ways in which this can be done. 

NIPT - Non-invasive Prenatal Testing is the most accurate prenatal genetic screening test and may be OHIP-funded or private-pay depending on your situation. This test is safe because it uses only a blood test. NIPT can tell you the chance for having a baby with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome) and other chromosome differences. You can have NIPT from the time you are 9 or 10 weeks pregnant until the end of the pregnancy.  

eFTS - You can get OHIP-funded Enhanced First Trimester Screening in the first trimester of pregnancy. This test is safe because it uses only an ultrasound and blood test. It can tell you the chance of having a baby with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) or trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome). 

NT Ultrasound - This ultrasound measures the clear (translucent) fluid at the back of the baby's neck. This pocket of fluid is also called the nuchal translucency (NT). It is normal for every baby to have some fluid at the back of the neck at this time. When a baby has more fluid than what we typically see, it means there is a higher chance for the baby to have a genetic condition or another health issue.  

www.prenatalscreeningontario.ca/en/pso/ 

Public health nurses work with our patients to provide education, assistance and supports as needed. Through them, we are able to access dietician supports, navigating governmental programs and antenatal courses - we encourage you to meet with them. We will complete a referral at your first visit, or you may also self-refer using this link:

(pending)

Pregnancy can be an overwhelming time and the advice we receive may be contradictory. Pregnancy is a natural process and we would like to encourage healthy habits throughout. Below are resources for appropriate management of health in pregnancy, including eating habits, exercise, do's and dont's. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to discuss them with us at your appointment, or call the office.

Exercise   Healthy eating   Folic Acid   Mental Health   Weight Gain   Substances