ANTENATAL CARE

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Now what? If you would like Dr. Po to follow you in pregnancy, please ask your family doctor to fax us a referral at (416) 480-6841. Please fill out the form on the First Consult page prior to your appointment.

​

Please note that the information below is pertinent for Dr. Po's patients only. Ask your doctor if this information applies to you.

What to expect when you're pregnant?

Health Canada has produced an excellent summary. You can read it here. At the bottom of this page, there are links to other useful resources that you might find helpful in pregnancy.

​

How often do I have appointments?

We try to see most patient in the first trimester, around 11 to 13 weeks. After that the frequency of visits depends on how far along you are.

• Every 4 weeks until 28 weeks.

• Every 2 weeks from 28 weeks to 36 weeks.

• Every week from 36 weeks until delivery.

You are considered a "term pregnancy" from 37 weeks onwards and your due date is at 40 weeks. Certain medical conditions will require you to have more frequent visits. Please discuss this with your doctor.

**Due to COVID-19, the routine visit schedule has changed to decrease in-patient visits. Please see here for the recommendations on modified WHO antenatal visit schedule.**

What tests will I have in pregnancy?

Routine tests during your pregnancy include:

• 11 – 14 weeks: ultrasound, blood work and urine test (your GP might have done some of these tests) for genetic screening.

• 18 – 20 weeks: anatomy ultrasound.

• 24 – 28 weeks: screening test for gestational diabetes, blood work and urine test.

• 32-34 weeks: ultrasound.

• 36 weeks: testing for Group B Streptococcus (swab)

What happens on each visit?

At each visit, you will have your weight and blood pressure measured. We will also listen to baby’s heart beat. Depending on your medical history, you might also need a urine test each visit. 

​​

Do I need any shots in pregnancy?

We recommend that all women have the Flu vaccine and the Whooping Cough vaccine during pregnancy. Getting these vaccines in pregnancy will protect your baby when they are born from getting the flu and whooping cough. Here is some information about the Whooping Cough vaccine. Please see your family doctor to get these vaccines. You can also read more about vaccines in pregnancy on these websites:

• Public Health Agency of Canada: Vaccination & Pregnancy

• Sunnybrook - Flu Vaccines

• National Advisory Committee on Immunization - Update on DTap Vaccine (Whooping Cough)

​

If you are rhesus blood type is negative (ex: A negative or O negative), then you will likely need an injection call Rh Immunoglobulin (RhIg). This is to prevent your body from developing antibodies against baby's blood if baby is blood type positive. It won't affect baby in your first pregnancy but can affect the next pregnancy where baby's blood type is positive. See here for more information from Canadian Blood Services.

Where do I go in cases of emergencies or after-hours?

If you are a patient of Dr. Po's, please follow these instructions. 

• If you are less than 16 weeks, please go to the emergency department

• If you are more than 16 weeks, please go to Sunnybrook Obstetrical Triage in the M-Wing 5th Floor, Women and Babies Unit.

**If you are NOT a patient of Dr. Po's, please follow your own doctor's instructions.**

​

​