Obstetrics Care

If you are a patient of Queen Square Doctors and are pregnant, you can be referred to one of the Family+OB physicians on our team who will be able to care for you and your baby.

Our physicians have specialized training in obstetrics and are all qualified to provide safe and comprehensive prenatal care for women during their pregnancy, labor, and birth. Many of our patients prefer this route as they are already familiar with our clinic, and its services, and like the fact that there is easy communication between their OB provider and family doctor.

Our team of doctors includes: Dr. Simone Banh Dr. Frank Martino Dr. Marianne Querques ​

Talk to your family doctor if you are interested in being referred to one of our physicians!

Your First Prenatal Visit

During your first prenatal visit, your care provider will talk about what you can expect during your pregnancy. This will be an opportunity for you to ask questions.

You will have regular appointments once a month from weeks 0-32, once every 2 weeks from weeks 32-36, and every week from week 36 onwards. Your caregiver will suggest some tests to assess your health and to help identify any possible risks to you and your baby.

Ultrasound

A "dating" ultrasound is often ordered at the first visit and should be performed at around 8 weeks of gestation (based on a woman's first day of her last menstrual period). This ultrasound can provide a more accurate assessment of your expected date of delivery

Routine Blood Tests

These tests will require taking three or four vials of blood to test for the following:

Blood type, including your Rh factor

If you are Rh negative and your baby is Rh positive, your body may produce antibodies that destroy your baby's blood cells; this happens when your blood is mixed (which usually occurs during childbirth). Although this is rarely a problem during a first pregnancy, the reaction that occurs during the first pregnancy can threaten your next pregnancy. This problem can be easily prevented by an injection given to you at 28 weeks or in other circumstances when your blood mixes with the baby's blood.

Rubella (German measles)

Rubella is a virus that causes a mild illness in most people. Symptoms of this illness are a temporary rash, mild fever, and joint aches. Some people do not get any symptoms at all. Most Canadian women are either vaccinated for rubella during childhood or have this illness early in life. As a result, they are immune to further infection. The rubella test is done to determine if the woman is immune. If a woman gets rubella during the early months of her pregnancy and she is not immune, it can cause birth defects. If you find out that you are not immune to rubella, please avoid people who have viral illnesses.

Blood Count (CBC)

This blood test is done to check for anemia. Anemia means you have too few red blood cells. This is usually caused by an iron deficiency. Because red blood cells carry oxygen to your body and your fetus, it is important to have anemia treated as soon as possible. To treat anemia, most doctors will recommend an iron supplement.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis B is an infectious disease that can harm your liver. Despite being able to cause serious harm, many infected women have no symptoms. Children who get this infection from their mothers during birth are at high risk of liver disease. This blood test checks to see if you are infected. If so, your baby can be vaccinated just after birth in infancy to prevent their infection.

VDRL

This blood test checks for syphilis. Although this is a rare disease, untreated syphilis can cause a stillbirth or neurological damage to your baby.

Blood Disorders

Some genetic conditions are more common among people from specific ethnic groups. For instance, Ashkenazi Jews and French Canadians are at higher risk for Tay-Sachs disease. Those of African, Mediterranean, and Hispanic backgrounds are at increased risk for sickle-cell disease. People of Mediterranean and Southeast Asian backgrounds are at higher risk for Thalassemia. A blood test can be done if you are at an increased risk for certain disorders. This test can be done either before or while you are pregnant.

HIV

HIV testing is offered to every woman because if you test positive, there are medications you can take to prevent the fetus from becoming infected.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

Your doctor may also suggest doing tests for other sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, as they can both be treated safely during pregnancy to avoid harm to your baby.

Second Prenatal Visit (or prenatal major visit)

During your second visit, the doctor will do a thorough physical examination, including an assessment of your: thyroid, lungs, heart, breasts, and abdomen as well as a pelvic exam. We also recommend a PAP smear if you have not had one during the past 3 years. Subsequent Prenatal Visits During each prenatal visit your weight and blood pressure will be measured. Your caregiver will determine the size of the uterus and listen to the baby's heart. After about 30 weeks, your caregiver will feel the position of your baby inside your uterus.

Genetic Testing - Offered Starting from Week 11

3% of babies are born with a genetic condition or birth defect (such as Down Syndrome or Spina Bifida). We can offer you tests to check if your baby has an increased risk of being born with these problems. It is your choice whether or not to do these tests.

Ultrasound "The Anatomy Scan" - Offered at 20 Weeks

You will have an ultrasound scheduled around 20 weeks to look at the baby from head to toe. Many parents welcome an ultrasound as a way to get a first look at this new member of their family. Depending on the position of the fetus, the ultrasound may show whether you will have a boy or a girl. Ultrasound has been used for over 35 years and studies show that it is safe. An ultrasound may also be used at other times during your pregnancy to investigate issues of concern or simply to make sure that the baby is growing properly.

Glucose ('Sugar') Test - Suggested Between 24 and 28 Weeks

This test takes place sometime between 24-28 weeks (at the end of the 2nd trimester). It is done to check if you are at risk for 'Gestational Diabetes', also known as Diabetes of Pregnancy. You will be asked to drink a sweet orange beverage, and then 1 hour later have your blood sugar checked with a simple blood test. You do not have to fast before this test.

Other Tests - Suggested Between 24 and 28 Weeks

For the most part, these are done at the same time as your glucose test, so you do not need an extra visit. Your blood count (CBC) will be re-checked, and your urine will be tested for infection. ​

Tdap vaccine – Between 27 and 32 Weeks

Pertussis (also called whooping cough) is a very contagious respiratory infection caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria. Babies who have not been vaccinated or who have not finished their routine immunizations are at the highest risk for severe disease and death. Tdap vaccination in pregnancy protects infants until they can receive the pertussis vaccine (DTaP) at two months of age. 

It is recommended that all pregnant women should receive the pertussis vaccine (Tdap) in every pregnancy, even if they are up to date on their immunizations. It has been shown that 9 out of 10 babies under 3 months old are protected against pertussis after mothers are vaccinated during their pregnancies.

Group B Streptococci (GBS) Swab – Between 36 and 37 Weeks

A quick and easy swab of your vagina and rectum is done to check for a common bacteria called Group B streptococci. Although the bacteria is harmless to you, it can cause serious infections in newborn babies. If the test is positive for GBS, you will be given antibiotics during labor to protect your baby. ​

We would like to give credit to the Toronto Western Family Health Team for the above summary. You can find their website link here 

External Links

• Canada Healthy Pregnancy Guide (PDF)

• What to Expect at Your Prenatal Appointments

• Genetic Screening in Ontario

• Sample Birth Plan – Mount Sinai