Connecting with your body, your baby and your community
- A healthy and happy birth begins in early pregnancy when the care you give yourself is probably more important than the care you get from your doctor. We strive to help you make sure that your baby starts life under the best possible conditions.
- Early pregnancy is a time of many changes, and it is important that you see a physician soon. Your family doctor is a valuable source of information and guidance.
- Once you know you are pregnant, you can contact FPMS yourself or ask your family doctor to make a referral for you.
- Your first appointment with an FPMS physician will be a longer appointment with the goal of getting to know you, your preferences, and your health concerns as well as providing information. Over the first 2 or 3 visits, we will also discuss a complete physical examination, blood tests, and ultrasounds.
- There are different types of programs offered by FPMS that may each suit different women. These include Connecting Pregnancy (group prenatal care), traditional prenatal care, and traditional newborn/postpartum care.
- Some women will find that their needs are best met at one of our programs through Vancouver Coastal Health, such as the Youth Pregnancy and Parenting Program (YPPP) or Sheway, a program for women with current or past substance use.
- At about half-way through the pregnancy, you can choose between two styles of prenatal care that we offer: Connecting Pregnancy Care or Traditional Pregnancy Care.
- Prior to your due month, you are invited to Meet the Doctors Night , where you can meet all the doctors on your birth team. At Meet the Doctors Night, you get to know us as we discuss labour, birth, and the newborn period. Questions, discussions, and story-telling are encouraged.
Labour and Birth Care
- For any urgent concerns or if you think you are in labour, the doctor on-call is available to talk with you on the phone at any time of the day or night. The doctor will want to know how you are doing and will help you decide when to come to the hospital.
- Soon after you arrive at the hospital, you will be met by the on-call doctor who will care for you during your labour and birth. They will be present with you during labour and support your choices for your birth.
- Partners, friends, family members, and doulas are welcome during labour and birth according to your wishes.
- After the birth, one of our doctors will visit you every day while you are in hospital. You may go home when you and the baby are doing well.
Postpartum and Newborn Care
- During your pregnancy care, you will have a chance to discuss your options for postpartum and newborn care with your FPMS doctor. You may be able to see your own family doctor, continue seeing your FPMS doctor, or choose to attend Connecting Families (our group postpartum and newborn care program). See Our Programs for more details.
To make a referral for our services, please complete our referral form or call us at 604-875-3436.