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Planning Pregnancy but dont have a Family Doctor?

NiSn

Hero Member
Mar 17, 2018
207
32
We moved to Canada a few months back as a PR and have our OHIP health card. Till now, for any medical services we utilize walk in clinics. Does anyone know, to plan & have a child in Canada, do we mandatorily need to have a Family Doctor? If not, what is the process of getting the entire services as getting a appointment for various tests etc is not that straight forward in Canada.
 

canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
52,959
12,758
We moved to Canada a few months back as a PR and have our OHIP health card. Till now, for any medical services we utilize walk in clinics. Does anyone know, to plan & have a child in Canada, do we mandatorily need to have a Family Doctor? If not, what is the process of getting the entire services as getting a appointment for various tests etc is not that straight forward in Canada.
Having a family doctor is something you should prioritize because your child will need a GP as well. You should find a GP that can accept at minimum mother and baby if not the whole family. Paediatricians in Canada are supposed to be limited to children with more serious acute or chronic health issues. Your GP should refer you to an OB or midwife once you reach a certain amount of weeks. There are certain GPs that have done additional training and can act as OBs for uncomplicated low risk pregnancies.

Would really recommend your spouse find a job and work for 6 months at least before trying to get pregnant. Saving money in case you do have to take time off that is unpaid or just saving because maternity EI payments are only a percentage of your normal salary is something most family have to do. Having a baby creates a lot more expenses. Although some pregnancies are easy, some women get so ill that they are not able to perform their job well, some women are so ill they must leave work for a period of time, some end up on bed rest for part or a large portion of a pregnancy and some who end up in hospital repeatedly or for a portion of a pregnancy. You’ll want to save money but also work long enough to qualify for support programs and EI maternity benefits. We see many people planning to be able to work the 600 hours but then get sick and have to stop working for a period and the no longer qualify for EI payments. In general employers are more sympathetic when you have shown that you are a valuable employee versus starting to work and soon after getting morning sickness which can last all day as well as extreme fatigue or discovering that you are pregnant and will be leaving soon.
 

canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
52,959
12,758
We moved to Canada a few months back as a PR and have our OHIP health card. Till now, for any medical services we utilize walk in clinics. Does anyone know, to plan & have a child in Canada, do we mandatorily need to have a Family Doctor? If not, what is the process of getting the entire services as getting a appointment for various tests etc is not that straight forward in Canada.
Not sure what you mean about getting an appointment for various tests. Your doctor will exam you and determine the course of treatment and if order and tests or labs if necessary. You can certainly ask to see a specialist or have a test done but it will be up to the GP to determine if it is necessary or necessary at this point. The GP is the gatekeeper. A GP will also determine if your medical issue needs specialist care or can be dealt with by the GP. Many things are dealt with by the GP. Depending on what test is being booked it may take a few months if not more to receive an appointment. It is quite unusual for 2 young adults to have used the medical system multiple times in a few months. In other countries you can book your own specialist appointments or request any test that you want but you are paying directly for these tests. Since this is a public system a GP is the one who determines what care is needed and whether more skilled knowledge is needed. A GP will provide consistent carE as well as access to your whole health history. A walk-in clinic is unfortunately necessary if you have tried everything but can not secure a GP but using a walk-in clinic is not advisable and you won’t get the same level of care when you don’t see the same doctor for many years if not decades.
 
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