Pregnancy and Your Health Care Provider
Prenatal visits
It's important to begin prenatal care as early as possible in your pregnancy. It may help reduce the possibility of preterm labour. If you don't already have a family doctor or health care provider, visit Health Care Connect to find one.
You can choose the type of health care provider you would like to have:
- A family doctor can provide care to pregnant women, babies, and families. Some family doctors also deliver babies at the hospital.
- Obstetricians offer specialized health care to pregnant women and babies during pregnancy, labour, as well as after your baby is born. Depending on the circumstances, prenatal care may be started by a family doctor, and then transferred to an obstetrician at approximately 28 weeks.
- Registered midwives provide care for women with low-risk pregnancies and birth. Midwives can deliver your baby in the hospital, at a birth centre (there isn’t currently one within the KFL&A area), or at home, depending on your preference. For more information on midwives, or finding a midwife, visit Ontario Midwives.
- Nurse practitioners can provide care for women with low risk pregnancies, but do not normally deliver babies. To find a nurse practitioner, visit Nurse Practitioners' Association of Ontario.
- Trained professionals, such as a Doula, are available for support and to provide non-medical care to you and your family before, during or after your baby is born. For more information about Doulas, or to find a Doula, visit Association of Ontario Doulas.
Talk with your health care provider to decide which option is best for you based on your health history.
What can I expect at my prenatal appointments?
- Urine tests to look for glucose, proteins, and infection.
- Blood pressure measurements to screen for high blood pressure.
- Maternal weight to ensure appropriate weight gain.
- Fundal height, a measure of the size of the uterus that is used to assess the baby's growth.
- Fetal heart rate to assess the baby's well being.
What tests do I need during pregnancy?
Common screening tests include:
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Ultrasound
- Genetic screening
- Non-stress test
- Counting the baby's movements
- Group B streptococcus test
Remember that no screening test is 100% accurate. The screening tests are used to determine if you and your baby are at higher risk for certain conditions. For more information on each of these screening tests, please talk to your health care provider, or visit:
Prenatal tour
Learn more about having a baby at Kingston Health Sciences Center, and take a virtual prenatal tour.