Discussions

Wondering from local parents what to expect for early pregnancy from our health care system here. For example:  
 
What will our GP do, and how often do we see them?  
 
When do we switch to OBGYN?  
 
When is the first ultrasound scheduled?  
 
When can we hear the heartbeat?  
 
Any info is appreciated.

Depending on the gp, you may not have to see an ob at all. My first pregnancy my gp didn't do prenatal/delivery, but with my other babies, I had a different gp who cared for me from start to finish.  
 
First ultrasound is in the 18-22 week range, and they can usually pick up the heartbeat around 12ish weeks, but that also depends on how baby is laying and where the placenta is. One of mine, I didn't hear the hb until 15 weeks.  
 
Congrats and good luck!

I went through a midwife and she does all the work for me. Making appointments that I need and whatnot.  
 
But I also have a few pregnant friends right now that have doctors and their family doctor guides them with everything they need.  
 
I heard my babies heartbeat at 8 weeks and I also had an emergency ultrasound at that time. But my "actual" appointment was made for 20 weeks. I hope this helps!

I just had a recent pregnancy that unfortunately didn't go past 6 weeks. When my family doctor had confirmed my pregnancy he had informed me as long as I didn't have a high risk complicated pregnancy, he would have been able to see me from start to finish without having to refer me to an OBGYN and even deliver the baby. When I inquired about when my first ultrasound would be, he said not until 18-22 weeks. For me that was a shock as my first pregnancy 8 years ago in Alberta, I got an ultrasound right away after that pregnancy was confirmed to see how far along I was. Then I didn't have one again until I was about 21 weeks pregnant. So I would just talk to your family doctor and see what they say first.

~BooBoo~ said "I just had a recent pregnancy that unfortunately didn't go past 6 weeks. When my family doctor had confirmed my pregnancy he had informed me as long as I didn't have a high risk complicated pregnancy, he would have been able to see me from start to finish without having to refer me to an OBGYN and even deliver the baby. When I inquired about when my first ultrasound would be, he said not until 18-22 weeks. For me that was a shock as my first pregnancy 8 years ago in Alberta, I got an ultrasound right away after that pregnancy was confirmed to see how far along I was. Then I didn't have one again until I was about 21 weeks pregnant. So I would just talk to your family doctor and see what they say first. "

Usually in Manitoba you only do an ultrasound in the first trimester if there's a problem (bleeding, suspected miscarriage, etc) or to date the pregnancy if mother is unsure or uterus size isn't matching dates, etc. While ultrasounds are a low-risk procedure, they are not without risk and shouldn't be done more than necessary.  
 
An ultrasound exam is typically scheduled, like others have said, for around the 20 week mark. That's the best time to examine anatomy, etc, and they will give you an estimated due date. This is an optional exam, as are pretty much all procedures and tests during your pregnancy (which with some providers you don't always feel like you have a choice).  
 
To answer the OP, as you can see there's a lot of variation. You rarely see the OB before 12 weeks. A midwife will see you as early as 6-8 weeks if they can accommodate you. Your GP, if they'll keep seeing you (some won't), will see you right from the word go.

Yes I have heard from friends in AB that they are shocked we wait until 20 weeks for the first ultrasound. I am obviously going crazy wondering how I can possibly make it to 20 weeks without seeing whatever is in there. Has anyone ever had good luck with an early ultrasound at a place where you pay for the service, instead of going to the hospital? I'd like to hear the heartbeat ASAP obviously and can't imagine the stress of not being able to find it so part of me wants to wait.

I'm new to Manitoba health but I was also surprised at the late ultrasound. I should share, though, that I'm 10.5 weeks and today my doctor brought out the Doppler and I got to hear the heartbeat. For me, that was a great way to know there IS a baby inside of me even though blood/urine tests were already positive.  
 
My family doctor asked me for an OB request and I gave her mine today after asking a couple of friends. That's my two cents. Congrats!! =)

As stated, there are variations depending on who you see. A midwife will see you from the start, delivery, and for 6 weeks after. Some GP's do deliveries, some don't. Some GP's will refer to an OBGyn right at the start, many will see you until later (often around 30 weeks), then transfer to an OBGyn. A Nurse Practitioner will usually see you until 30 weeks, then transfer to an OBGyn. Of course if a pregnancy is considered high-risk, transfer to OBGyn will be earlier in all cases. Generally, a woman is seen monthly until about 30 weeks, then every two weeks until 36 weeks, and then weekly - although this sometimes varies as well. As stated, routine ultrasound is around 20 weeks. Heartbeat can generally be heard with Doppler in the office between 12 and 14 weeks (some are as early as 10 weeks, some a little later than 14 weeks). First appointment will be complete check up, including swabs and Pap (if not too far along for Pap), lots of questions about medical and family history, and ordering of blood work. Every visit will include blood pressure, urine sample, weight check, palpating the belly and listening to heart beat, as well as other exams as indicated. Routine blood work at the start includes iron, blood type, Rh factor, antibodies, HIV, Hep B, syphilis, and rubella titre. Other blood work might include thyroid, varicella titre, Hep C, etc depending on practitioner and history. Maternal Serum Screening offered at 16 weeks. Possibly glucose challenge and repeat iron (and blood type if first pregnancy, unknown Rh factor, or Rh negative) at 28 weeks. Win Rho at 28 weeks and postpartum if Rh negative. Prenatal classes are available through Public Health in the Town Center, as well as 'Healthy Baby' (or whatever the prenatal group is called now). That's all I can think of to answer the OP question. Public Health nurses are also a great source of information for all things pregnancy and baby related!

Have you decided whether you want to see a midwife, OB, or GP for your pregnancy? If you want to apply for a midwife you need to call the midwife clinic asap-there are not enough midwives in Brandon to fill the demand. Not all GPs provide obstetric care, you'll need to ask.  
 
As others have said, it is tricky to find the heartbeat until around 12 weeks. My GP found baby's heartbeat at 9 weeks so it is worth a shot, but finding the heartbeat that early is rare.  
 
You could go to a private ultrasound clinic for peace of mind if the doctor isn't able to find the heartbeat right away.  
 
For me, the most valuable part of the public health prenatal classes was the hospital tour. Being familiar with the maternity ward made me and my partner feel very comfortable once the time came to go to the hospital.