Early Pregnancy Care
October 4, 2024
Here is a guide on what to expect once your care has been transferred into our Early Pregnancy Program (EPP).
What happens after my 1st positive HCG test?
Following your first positive pregnancy test, you will be asked to repeat another pregnancy test in 2-3 business days to ensure the HCG level is rising appropriately. At the same time, we will also check additional hormones: estrogen, progesterone and TSH. This is to ensure that these hormones are in the normal ranges for pregnancy.
Depending on your prior treatment plan, you may already be on estrogen and progesterone supplementation. These medications may be continued, adjusted or weaned off under the direction of your Primary Care team. If you are already on thyroid medication, please be sure to notify your team.
This may be continued, adjusted or weaned off under the direction of your Primary Care team.
What happens after my 2nd positive HCG test?
If your second pregnancy test is rising appropriately, you will be scheduled for your first obstetrical (OB) ultrasound around 7 weeks of pregnancy at the clinic. Your physician may monitor you with weekly or biweekly OB ultrasounds.
What happens at the OB ultrasound?
At your OB ultrasound, it will be a pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound. This requires a full bladder - please drink 4-5 cups of water about an hour before your appointment. The ultrasound technician will scan your pelvic area. Once completed, you will be asked to empty your bladder and then a transvaginal ultrasound will be performed. The purpose of this ultrasound is to confirm the viability of your pregnancy and to measure your baby’s size and heart rate.
Is my support person allowed in the room during the ultrasound?
You are allowed to have one support person with you during the ultrasound.
Do I continue medications started by my Pollin physician?
If applicable, you will also complete blood work for estrogen, progesterone and TSH to ensure that it is in the normal ranges for your pregnancy. If you are already on estrogen and progesterone supplementation, most patients will likely continue up to 10 weeks of pregnancy.
However, please note that your Primary Care team will also advise you to adjust your dose or wean off, if appropriate. Always follow your Primary Care team’s instructions.
If you are on thyroid replacement, you will continue even after discharge from our care. Your prenatal care team (OB or midwife) will continue to monitor this throughout your pregnancy.
If you are on any other medications not noted here, please advise your Primary Care team and they will advise accordingly.
OB referral
We will refer you to a North York General Hospital (NYGH) OB or your OB choice for obstetrical care. If your chosen OB declines our referral, your family physician will need to complete another referral for you.
If you wish to use a midwife, you do not need a referral. You may contact the midwife directly to initiate prenatal care. Please share your midwife information with us so that we may send relevant pregnancy results over to their office.
How long am I under your pregnancy care?
You will be under our care up to 10 weeks of your pregnancy. Your OB or midwife will then take over your pregnancy care. If you do not have an OB or midwife upon discharge, your family physician will take over care until your OB or midwife initiates care, which typically occurs around week 12-14 of your pregnancy.
