Congratulations on your pregnancy! This is an exciting but often stressful time.
Your first step is to see a family doctor or a registered midwife. Please choose an option below.
In Chilliwack, pregnant women can choose to seek care from a family doctor specializing in obstetrics or a midwife, but not both.
If you have a family doctor, it is important to schedule a visit with them within the first few weeks of finding out you are pregnant.
In this initial visit your doctor can confirm your pregnancy and help to estimate your due date. Your doctor may order a dating ultrasound (done around 8–12 weeks) to confirm your due date and order some initial lab work. At this time your doctor can also assess any risk factors you may have in this pregnancy.
Not all family doctors provide care to women in pregnancy. If your family doctor does not provide care to women in pregnancy, he or she will refer you to a doctor who can care for you such as the Chilliwack Obstetrical Group (COGs). You can also choose to register yourself online with COGs here: Chilliwack Obstetrical Group.
Obstetricians do not offer primary care in Chilliwack, but your doctor may involve them if your pregnancy is or becomes higher risk like twins, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.
In Chilliwack, pregnant women can choose to seek care from a family doctor specializing in obstetrics or a midwife, but not both.
If you would like to see a family doctor who specializes in pregnancy, you can self-refer with the Chilliwack Obstetrical Group, a group of family doctors who provide prenatal, delivery and postnatal services to women in Chilliwack and Hope.
You will also need to secure a family doctor to take over the care of your family 6 weeks after giving birth as your prenatal care provider may not be able to take on this role. To sign up for a family doctor contact PAM (Patient Attachment Mechanism), please be aware this process may take time.
At your first prenatal visit your doctor may order a dating ultrasound (done around 8–12 weeks) to confirm your due date and order some initial lab work. At this time your doctor can also assess any risk factors you may have in this pregnancy.
Obstetricians do not offer primary care in Chilliwack, but your doctor may involve them if your pregnancy is or becomes higher risk like twins, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.
In BC, registered midwives offer primary maternity care to healthy pregnant clients and their newborn babies from early pregnancy, through labour and birth, until about six weeks following delivery. This includes delivering babies. They practice evidence-based, client-centered maternity and newborn care, as well as birthing options in the home and hospital setting. They have been an established part of the BC health care system for over 20 years, since 1998. The BC Ministry of Health covers 100% of the cost of midwifery services for all BC residents with a valid CareCard or BC Services Card through the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP). Parents can self-refer as no physician referral is required.
Midwives are experts in healthy pregnancy, managing normal pregnancies, labours and births and consulting with family doctors and other specialists (such as obstetricians) as the need arises. In the event of anything abnormal and a transfer of care to an obstetrician is required, they continue to provide care in a supportive role. Their role includes guidance, education and support throughout pregnancy, ordering and interpreting tests, screening for physical, emotional, and social health and delivering babies. Furthermore, Midwives do home visits after the baby is born and can help with breastfeeding and adjusting to life with a new baby. Six weeks after delivery, when your midwifery care is completed, you will be transferred back to your family doctor who will resume responsibility for the health of you and your new baby.
Midwife practices tend to fill up quickly. If you are interested in having a Midwife, it’s ideal to call as soon as you know you are pregnant, but don’t hesitate to call even if it is later in your pregnancy to see if there is available space.
Midwives available in Chilliwack:
For a list of additional Registered Midwives visit the Midwives Association of BC website.
In Chilliwack, pregnant women can choose to seek care from a family doctor specializing in obstetrics or a midwife, but not both. You can also choose to self refer to the Chilliwack Obstetrical Group.
Obstetricians do not offer primary care in Chilliwack, but your doctor may involve them if your pregnancy is or becomes higher risk like twins, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.
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