Prenatal Care

Prenatal care is provided to women when they are pregnant. This helps keep pregnant women and their future baby healthy. Please find commonly accessed resources below for women during pregnancy. We continue to provide both in-person and virtual (if appropriate) prenatal care, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Who Will I See For My Pregnancy?

Shared Care With My Physician for Pregnancy

Our office does offer prenatal care to our patients in the form of shared care. Shared care is when your Family physician and Obstetrics physician jointly provide you prenatal care, as a team. Appointments with your obstetrician will typically begin in the third trimester and visits will alternate between your primary care physician and obstetrician. Depending on your prior medical history, your prenatal care may be best obtained solely under the care of an obstetrician.

Midwifery Care for Pregnancy

If you have chosen to be followed by a midwife for your pregnancy, they will be responsible for your prenatal care and continued care up to 6 weeks after your delivery. You cannot have a physician and midwife as your primary health care providers for pregnancy. Midwives and physicians (i.e. Obstetricians and Family physicians) are all considered primary health care providers of prenatal care in Ontario. To have two primary health care providers for prenatal care is a duplication of health care services. You may still see your family physician for health concerns outside of the scope of your midwifery team and obstetrics can be consulted for any pregnancy concerns that are outside of the scope of midwifery. .

Ontario Prenatal Screening

Prenatal screening is available to all pregnant women in Ontario.

For more information on the types of prenatal screening and what they screen for, please click on the heading above. In Ontario, enhanced First Trimester Screening (eFTS) is an optional OHIP covered (genetic) prenatal screening test available in the first trimester for pregnant women.

COVID-19 Vaccines & Pregnancy/Breastfeeding

As per the SOGC (Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada), women who are pregnant or breastfeeding can be offered a COVID-19 vaccine at any time during pregnancy or post partum. Women who are pregnant are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy and breastfeeding, please click on the heading above.

Prenatal Classes (City of Hamilton)

For more information on prenatal classes available in the city of Hamilton, please click on the heading above.