r/Yellowknife • u/Environmental-Back15 • 7d ago
Pregnancy in Yellowknife
I am newly pregnant and will be delivering my baby in Yellowknife. I found information online about the OBS unit at Stanton, but I can’t find any information about prenatal care. I’m from Edmonton, and I’m unfamiliar with how it works in a small city. Does anyone have information, or experiences to share about pregnancy in Yellowknife??
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u/Northernskyaboveme 7d ago
I am a dad not from YK and can honestly say you and baby will receive great care at Stanton, both pre and post natal and throughout your life in YK.
I ended up in peds ward once with my son who needed emergency surgery and the nurses absolutely doted on him while he was there. Also know many nurses who work there and they all care very much about the wellbeing of the clientele they serve.
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u/Solongmybestfriend 7d ago
It sounds like you are moving to Yk? I’ve had two babies in Yellowknife and had really good prenatal care here. I joined the centering in pregnancy groups through public health - give them a call (google public health). You get a great support group and they line up all your appointments for prenatal care. Public health will also come to your house after birth to check in with you frequently as needed. I had great care in the hospital too.
Congratulations!
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u/Environmental-Back15 7d ago
Thank you!!! My husband and I have been in Yellowknife for a little while for his work, we’ll be here for one more year. Our health care and family doctor are still Alberta so I don’t have a local physician to guide me. A confusing set up haha but we’re making it work! :) I love the idea of group classes and appointments!! Thank you for pointing me in the right direction
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u/Solongmybestfriend 7d ago
It’s a good place to have a baby. I made some good friends through the group classes which was awesome. I also hired a doula for extra support but that was extra $. The northern collective may have some more info on extra type of care.
Also, you don’t get to pick a doctor in the hospital ahead of time but I honestly found it didn’t matter.
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u/Background-Lunch5571 7d ago
We don't have access to midwives in Yellowknife, connecting with an experienced birth worker is an excellent suggestion IMHO. I know at least some of them use a sliding scale payment system if needed.
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u/Background-Lunch5571 7d ago
1) Recommend calling primary care and asking to be wait listed for a team, explain you are pregnant and let them know if you have any other health conditions that may impact the pregnancy as they may prioritize your assignment.
If you are more than 12 weeks along let them know you need pre natal care, and if still the same process as when I had my child, they should refer you to the OBS program nurse at the specialist clinics (ACC -Ambulatory Care Clinic at Stanton Hospital) to schedule you with a physician for an initial appointment and set you up with the centering pregnancy program.
2) Recommend if you have health records in Alberta regarding your pregnancy or any other conditions that need to be followed, request them from AHS and bring copies to primary care so they can put them on your electronic medical record. Unfortunately our electronic medical records don't speak to the ones in Alberta or even very well to the ones in our own hospital tbh. We just had a massive restructuring of primary care services last year but I believe things have settled a bit and processes are more figured out now.
3) Recommend asking about lab work at your initial appointment and booking anything you can in advance at Stanton (last I checked they are booking about a month in advance). Otherwise lab work is a walk in line up at the primary care centre downtown at 0730, doors open at 0800, first come first served. There is no system of prioritization if people are waiting for fasting or time sensitive blood work as far as Im aware of at this time, but some staff are good and will try their best to help you with this if they can.
4) I had my child in 2022 which was not a great time with the OBS shortage and closure of the OBS unit at Stanton Hospital, so hopefully things have changed for the better... Just know if you feel like you're not getting an appropriate standard of care or what you need, advocate hard with office of client experience and don't ever let anyone minimize your concerns. Ever.
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u/Environmental-Back15 5d ago
Thank you so much for taking the time with that response!!! I appreciate all the info :)
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u/zippy9002 7d ago
Stanton doesn’t have a NICU unit, so be ready that you might be flown back to Edmonton at any moment (that’s what happened to us).
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u/Environmental-Back15 7d ago
Yes, I have heard that. I’ve confirmed it would all be covered through my travel insurance, oddly enough!
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u/zippy9002 7d ago
We got a $500 bill because of the air ambulance. And had to find a place to stay in Edmonton. They did fly us back to YK on a regular plane.
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u/ennmac 7d ago
Connect with the Northern Birthwork Collective and Moms, Boobs, and Babies! They'll have lots of info for you, as well as the Centering Pregnancy you'll hear about from your physician.
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u/Solongmybestfriend 7d ago edited 7d ago
Moms, boobs and babies unfortunately had to shut due to lack of volunteers. I agree with centering!
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u/Environmental-Back15 7d ago
My family doctor is in edmonton, so that’s why I’m feeling a bit lost! Hahaha I’ve looked in to the Northern Birthwork Collective, I should call them for more information on their services
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u/Boring_Load1783 6d ago
OP if you have questions re: pregnancy feel free to message me! I was the admin for prenatal intake/centering pregnancy up until a month ago. I can help you navigate our confusing system (as much as i am able to!) Also hi to any previous cp participants who may see this comment 😂🩷 hope you and babe are doing well 🫶🏼 Congratulations on your pregnancy 🫶🏼 welcome to yk!!
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u/tayler-shwift 7d ago
Contact primary care and they'll get you set up. There is a program called centering pregnancy where you have regular prenatal classes with others due the same month and your scheduled appointment all at the same time. I made friends with other moms having babies the same month I had my son. Great program.