Within the FPMS, you may choose the kind of care that is best for you and your family. All initial visits with a FPMS doctor are one-on-one.
Connecting Pregnancy Care
Connecting Pregnancy is an innovative program that combines medical care and prenatal education in a group setting. Health check-ups are combined with education and support from other members of the group. It’s “one-stop shopping” for your prenatal health care and learning. Here, health visits are interesting and fun and a place to get to know other expectant families. It is ideal for first-time parents and people new to Vancouver or without a network of friends having babies.
How Connecting works:
- You are invited to join a group of 10-12 women with a similar due month to yours, starting around 18-20 weeks of pregnancy, continuing until the early newborn period, with a final reunion at 6 weeks after the babies are born.
- Connecting Pregnancy group meetings last 2 hours and are occur from 6-8pm to accommodate parents with daytime work commitments. Initially we meet once a month, and later in the pregnancy every 2 weeks.
- The group is guided by an FPMS doctor and a childbirth educator, who will remain with that group for the whole series. At every meeting, there is some private time with the doctor for a check-up (“belly check”).
- Together with the other group members, you discuss topics related to pregnancy, birth, parenting, and personal growth. These include diet and exercise, the birthing process, comfort measures for labour, what to expect in the hospital, pain management options, breastfeeding, and newborn care.
- Expectant parents get to know each other and form a support network who often stay connected for months or years afterwards. Your partner or support-person is welcome to attend and will find support for their experience as well.
- In some Connecting groups a Family Practice resident doctor will assist the doctor. They are senior doctors nearing the end of their training and are enthusiastic to learn about maternity care in a group setting. Their presence is a great addition to the team.
- The fee for this program is $300, similar to most prenatal classes. If you would like to participate in Connecting Pregnancy, but are experiencing financial need, please speak with our program assistant or your FPMS doctor.
- To register, contact info@birthdocs.ca or phone 604-875-3436
Traditional Pregnancy Care
- Prenatal visits can take place at one of the FPMS doctors’ offices or at the BC Women’s Hospital clinic.
- You will see the same doctor for most of your pregnancy care.
- At your prenatal visits, you can discuss your concerns, find out more about your baby, and learn how to be as healthy as possible.
- At each visit, you and your baby will have a check-up. We welcome questions and discussion
- Prenatal visits occur once a month until about 7 months (30 weeks). After that, you see your doctor every 2 weeks until 8 months (36 weeks), and then weekly until your birth.
Postpartum and Newborn Care
- A few days after going home, you will see a doctor to check on your recovery and the baby’s well being.
- You will have the opportunity to ask questions, work on newborn feeding, and talk about any concerns that you may have.
- In the first few weeks after the birth, you and your baby will return to the care of your usual family doctor.
- If you do not have a family doctor, we will help you find one.
- It is a privilege to help you during this special time and we thank you for the opportunity to share in this life-changing moment.
Youth Pregnancy and Parenting Program (YPPP)
Some of our doctors provide care to young women under the age of 24 in the YPPP program located at Robert and Lily Lee Family Community Health Center. Learn more about YPPP.
Sheway
Some of our doctors work at Sheway, a program in the Downtown Eastside, which provides lunch, social services, and medical care to pregnant women and mothers with current or past substance use. Learn more about Sheway.
Perinatal Addictions Service and Fir Square
FPMS doctors provide complete pregnancy care for women with current or past problems with substance use through these programs at BCWH. There are outpatient clinics or women can stay in hospital on Fir Square. These programs help women and their newborns stabilize and withdraw from substances, keeping mothers and babies together whenever possible.
To make a referral for our services, please complete our referral form or call us at 604-875-3436.