Pregnancy and childbirth in Canada

Pregnancy and childbirth in Canada

What to prepare for when you want to become parents.

Many newcomers to Canada are concerned about the management of pregnancy and childbirth. How everything goes, how different it is from procedures in other countries, and how much it costs — all of this is covered in this article.

Two pregnancy management options

Although in most countries a pregnant woman is supervised by a gynecologist, there is another option in Canada. More and more women are choosing to trust professional midwives rather than gynecologists to handle their pregnancies and births. Midwives have the right to order tests, ultrasounds, and to examine and interview women. In addition, by choosing this option, the pregnant woman does not even have to go to the clinic except for tests — many midwives come to the house whenever the patient needs them.

However, many women still prefer to go to a gynecologist rather than a midwife. This is dictated primarily by considerations of safety, the doctor's professionalism, and the ability to convince her of his qualifications.

"The most inexperienced doctor is better than an inexperienced midwife ... often midwives turn out to be students with no real experience, so it's better to find out about this in advance," women say on social media.

Two options for the birthplace

A woman can also choose whether to give birth in the maternity ward of the hospital or in a "Maternity Center. The second option is noticeably more expensive — the cost of a room, anesthesia and other expenses can reach $17,000 CAD. Many point to the pluses of the centers, however. In particular, it is the quiet, almost homelike atmosphere, constant attention and individual approach. Since homebirth is illegal in Canada, women who do not want to give birth in a hospital choose this option.

Among other things, partnered births are very common in Canada. Many men are willing to be present with their wives at such an important moment, and this is practiced both in the centers and in the maternity wards of the hospitals.

The nuances of pregnancy management

Unlike in many other countries, in Canada pregnancy is not treated as a pathological or painful condition. Examinations and tests are scheduled according to a certain schedule, but women do not need to visit the doctor or call a midwife very often.

An important detail is the absence of such a practice as "preservation". Canadian doctors believe that if a pregnancy is not healthy, it is not worth preserving, so it is likely that the complaining patient will undergo all necessary procedures and be released home.

It may also surprise many women that Canada has a policy of recommending natural childbirth after a C-section in the absence of an indication and the desire of the pregnant woman herself.

After delivery, if there are no complications, the woman and baby usually stay under medical supervision for 2 days, after which they are discharged.

Documents for a newborn baby

Any child born in Canada falls under what is known as the right of soil. This means that they can claim citizenship and have the opportunity to study in the country, even if their parents are foreigners. This is why baby tourism is very popular in Canada. However, this right does not apply to the parents of the baby, so to stay in the country, they will in any case need to collect the entire package of relevant documents and obtain a permanent residence permit on general terms.

What amounts should be counted on

Although medicine in Canada is free, it is worth having a certain amount of money to pay for a room, anesthesia, and a contract with a particular doctor or midwife. The amounts vary greatly depending on the province or territory, as well as on the selected medical facility. The average amount needed to manage a pregnancy and birth at a private center for all or at a clinic without insurance is about $10,000 CAD to $20,000 CAD. Keep in mind that in the case of multiple pregnancies, costs can increase by about 40%.

Conclusion

What steps should a pregnant woman take to ensure that the whole period before the birth of the baby went smoothly and seamlessly?

  • Decide who will be in charge of the pregnancy: a gynecologist or a midwife. Find a suitable specialist and contact him or her. If necessary, it is worth concluding an agreement about in what situations, where (at home / in the center / in the clinic) and at what time the specialist can arrive, whether the reception at home is implied;
  • decide where the birth will take place: in the center or in the maternity ward of the hospital;
  • Follow the recommendations of medical professionals — undergo all necessary tests and screenings.

The main thing that should be given as much attention as possible is the choice of a specialist to whom a woman will entrust her health and the health of her unborn child. It is worth studying the reviews, recommendations, and qualifications of the chosen doctor or midwife and not relying on overly young and inexperienced medical professionals.

And read our article about the comparison of childbirth in Canada and the United States.

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