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Pregnancy

Information for expectant parents and families about health care during pregnancy in B.C.
Vaccine appointments are open for pregnant people in B.C. Pregnant women and individuals (age 16 and over) have been prioritized for vaccination and can now book appointments. 
To book an appointment, call the provincial Get Vaccinated number at 1-833-838-2323 and inform the operator that you are pregnant. It is important to also register with Get Vaccinated to ensure you receive an invitation to book your vaccination. 

For most people, getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the safest choice to protect them from severe COVID-19 disease. The Canadian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, and public health experts in B.C. all agree that COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for people who are pregnant and breastfeeding or chestfeeding.

You will need to make a decision based on your own comfort, individual risk of getting COVID-19, and the chance of becoming seriously ill if infected.


Resources

These links and documents can help you learn about pregnancy and make decisions about your health care.


Celebrating the Circle of Life: Coming Back to Balance and Harmony is a guide to emotional health in pregnancy and early motherhood for Aboriginal women and their families.
Learn more
Baby's Best Chance

Baby's Best Chance: Parents' Handbook of Pregnancy and Baby Care is intended to offer general information about pregnancy and parenting, with a focus on ensuring the health and wellbeing of you and your baby. It also provides guidance on how you can access additional support, should you need it. Topics covered include pregnancy, birth and parenting a baby up to six months of age.


Pregnancy Passport
The Pregnancy Passport  supports you in having a healthy pregnancy, tracking your progress, and preparing for your baby. 

The Pregnancy Passport includes:


  • information for you to think about and discuss with your care provider relating to your needs throughout your pregnancy, birth, and after your baby is born;
  • information about the care you can expect during pregnancy, birth, and the first weeks after your baby's birth; 
  • a place to record check-ups and tests; 
  • places to write down goals, questions, ideas, decisions, and hope and dreams for her baby; and 
  • a list of resources for more information.
Ask your doctor, midwife, or local health unit for a Pregnancy Passport.


The Pregnancy Passport is published by Perinatal Services BC in partnership with the Ministry of Health and health authorities. The Pregnancy Passport is a companion to Baby's Best Chance.

Indigenous Pregnancy Passport

Our Sacred Journey: Indigenous Pregnancy Passport can help take you and your family through your sacred journey of pregnancy, birth, and baby’s first few weeks. The passport provides an expectant mother with health information, resources, traditional teachings, growth charts, checklists, and a place to write down goals, thoughts, ideas, and dreams for your baby.

Ask your doctor, midwife, care provider, or health unit for an Aboriginal Pregnancy Passport.

The Aboriginal Pregnancy Passport was developed by Perinatal Services BC in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and First Nations Health Authority. 


A special thank you goes out to the First Nations and Aboriginal Elders, community members, and professionals who helped develop this resource; members of the Provincial Advisory Committee; expert reviewers from around the province; and the Population and Public Health Program at the Provincial Health Services Authority. Please see the full list of acknowledgements.

 

Please visit the Prenatal Genetic Screening Program section in Our Services. 

 

As part of routine prenatal care, women are offered many different screens and tests during their pregnancy in order to promote optimal health for both the mother and the baby. Screening for sexually transmitted infections (STI) such as syphilis is routine in the first trimester of pregnancy, or at your first prenatal visit if you present later.  New recommendations in BC (and other Canadian provinces) is to continue to screen for syphilis early but to also screen again at delivery. Screening a 2nd time at delivery is now being recommended for all women delivering in BC because of the risk of congenital syphilis.  Congenital syphilis can occur when the woman who has untreated syphilis transmits the infection to the baby, either during pregnancy or during delivery.   The new BC recommendations are to try to prevent that from happening.  You can read more information here and talk to your health care provider who is supporting you with your pregnancy. 


SOURCE: Pregnancy ( )
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