Maternity Records going to the Hospital

General Forums Prince Rupert Forum
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Changes are certainly happening and I do not believe to the best of expecting mothers!! I saw the article on the Muskeg News Web but am having difficulties loading it up yesterday and this morning.

Just recently, the decision from this hospital is to have all expecting mothers to have their prenatal files at the Hospital. Women will now have to see at least 7 doctors and not sure who will be delivering their baby. What happened with the primary care from a family doctor? Does he/she not know the patient well during her pregnancy and monitoring the progress of the baby? No written notices to the patients of the change, when they go for their prenatal check up are told their next visit is with someone else. Some doctors do not like this, but what can they say as this comes from the top.

I have spoken to one mother-to-be and she is very upset with this new set up. I do not care if other communities have rotating doctors for expecting mothers, this is not good. Why? Because what else will NHA do next?

City Council rallied to get new doctors to the community so the people will have a family physician (as NHA said in their advertisement, for people to have someone to give them primary care). Perhaps council can do something on behalf of those expected mothers and future residents.

I have a friend that went into medical practice to help people and when he was done with his education and training, he later found out this is a business. Geez, I really thought the health and well being was important, but guess our health care providers need more money. I appreciate the commitment a doctor has to wanting to help people, but there are some who and the health authority who really want to make money off those who really need the service.

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I agree with your point" Betty" that the one on one comfort an expecting Mom has with her Doctor is undeniably beneficial but we are living in a town where our doctors are way beyond over extended. I know many of us have to wait a couple of weeks to even book an appt. and then have had to wait up to two hours for our visit. It is harder now that you have to have an appt. to have PX’s refilled as that takes time also. I think a mom would rather know that she is in good hands with one of these 7 Doctors in rotation, one will always be there for her at any time, than have to possibly go into delivery without her primary physician available for one reason or another. They will build up the trust level with these doctors, they are good doctors and the bottom line is the care of the patient. Some moms-to-be in Rupert don’t even have a primary doctor so basically they will have that opportunity now . I know there are many sides to this discussion but the bottom line is everyone will be cared for and isn’t that what the ultimate goal is?

3

I delivered both of my babies down south, where things are much like you’re describing. I could have my pre-natal with my regular doctor, but she didn’t do deliveries, and there was only a handful of doctors who did, and a couple of OB-GYNs in case of complications. So, there was no guarentee that I would have ever met the doc delivering my babies. But I didn’t mind much. Why? Because I had two midwives (they worked together), and they saw me through my pregnancies and were by my side for the births. Turns out I needed the Ob-Gyn’s help, so the midwife was more of a support role, but at least I had an advocate by my side, and was able to have my wishes fully heard. I was also able to leave the hospital within 24 hours because I had a midwife checking up on me at my home for the next two weeks. (didn’t even have to go to the health unit for the first few blood tests they give the baby, etc).

So, what I would like to see is some midwives up here! They’re an excellent addition to the health care services, and are covered under regular medical.

4

Cody, it is that some women have had difficulties and long deliveries, to have a strange doctor there would not be comforting. Talking to some of the ladies about this new procedure, they do not want to have to tell a new doctor about the pregnancy, where as a family physician has an established relationship with the Mother and monitoring the pregnancy and knows how things are going.

There are some pros but there are also many cons, but the choice should be up to the mothers if they want to go on this rotation, not told they have too. Plus this begins tomorrow and again no written notice to the mothers-to-be, during their check up being told their family doctor is not able to deliver their little one. I understand some Doctors do not deliver and that is fine because women should be able to find one that will. Dr. Pienaar is from South Africa and so are many of the new doctors we get in our area, wonder if this is the practice they have over there?

Princess of Power, I am glad to hear you had a good experience and you have an excellent point about mid-wives. It would be wonderful if we had them here as you mentioned for the support for sure.

Looks like Muskeg News is back on and this is the link I saw the other day. muskegnews.com/central-maternity The article does not say what other communities are doing this, does anyone know?

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North Vancouver follows this practice.

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I have spoken with women who have seen certain Doctors and they have sworn to never be put in that situation again . I feel that once again women in this case have not been invited into this discussion which involves their own being . They should not be put in any form of discomfort in regards to their own being .
I believe this should have more discussion and protest , I also believe this would be a position for our MLA where he may hear the concerns of mothers to be or just women in general .

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[quote=“Justin Case”]I have spoken with women who have seen certain Doctors and they have sworn to never be put in that situation again . I feel that once again women in this case have not been invited into this discussion which involves their own being . They should not be put in any form of discomfort in regards to their own being .
I believe this should have more discussion and protest , I also believe this would be a position for our MLA where he may hear the concerns of mothers to be or just women in general .[/quote]

JC, one woman did call Gary Coons last night and told him her story and experience, plus she has 6 other friends that are expecting and not liking this at all. So I am sure this will be a hot topic for sure.

I can’t believe this; the women are only scheduled to see these doctors up at the hospital on Thursdays only!! What about the women who work and are going to school, not to say if they have little ones that are at daycare or preschool. Really, whose schedule is this for? Certainly not convenient for the expecting mothers. Not to say all the stress of this.

Pilot projects I am in favour of if it is voluntary, but not mandatory!! What happen to women’s constitutional rights? Just because we live up North does not mean we are subject to submission, let’s stay out of the dark ages.

8

What about people who don’t have doctors at all? Isn’t this better for them??

9

This is probably better for the women that didn’t have doctors. Everybody should have access to the same type of health care. However, it is a little strange that it is only open on Thursdays. I think they are going to run into a problem with that. This community seems to have a lot of pregnant women! I’m sure they are going to have to add another day.

Oftentimes, a doctor other than the one a women has been seeing regularly, delivers her baby. It just depends on who is on call. Doctors need time off too. From what I’ve heard, the maternity nurses in Prince Rupert are terrific. As long as they are in the delivery room (which they will be), Prince Rupert expecting moms will be in good hands.

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[quote=“prpal”] This community seems to have a lot of pregnant women! I’m sure they are going to have to add another day.

Someone failed to mention this community seems to have a lot of pregnant children as well . Something serious which we should be trying to address and this is where I believe in what China’s law is , one child per couple .[/quote]

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That’s what I posted earlier also Bubba as I have a few ladies who come into to see me, pregnant, but don’t have a primary doctor. I think we have to look at the positives related to this and I agree with “prpal” also, we have fantastic delivery nurses and I know that our moms will be in good hands. We can delve into this on other levels too, many folks in Rupert are not able to find a doctor as they are not accepting new patients and they are having to go to the ER for basic treatment. I am sure many of them would welcome a project such as this to have a doctor if only on a Thursday even if they don’t have the benefit of seeing the same one for each visit. Change is hard for everyone but I think everyone will be fine for if there are 7 doctors on rotation then they will obviously be our best.

12

I think if you take the emotional aspect out of this, then it makes sense. Would everyone be this upset if was for knee surgery?
If your records aren’t at the hospital, and you have to go in in an emergency, what happens then. You get the Dr. on call, and no records on file. To me that’s the worst case scenario. Is every woman expecting their reg Dr. to drop what ever they are doing when they are ready to pop? Even if he is not on E/R call? Do you also expect your reg mechanic to come in on a Sunday night to fix your car because it broke down?

Do you really think the Dr. knows everything about you off by heart? He probably sees hundreds of patients a week. Do you think just because you are a mother-to-be that all of a sudden he’s going to pay more attention to you than everyone else. He wants in, out, collect fee.
In theory, every Dr. should be qualified to do the procedure, even if it’s not your reg Dr.

[quote=“Bettyboop86”] it is that some women have had difficulties and long deliveries, to have a strange doctor there would not be comforting.
Do you really think that during a long delivery the Dr. stays there the whole time holding your hands. I’m sure it’s the nurses attending most of the time with the Dr. coming in at the last minute when your ready to drop!

I’m sure all this is coming as a cost cutting initiative. If it saves me tax dollars, I’m all for it. If it brings more needed equipment to Prince Rupert, I’m all for it.
If it’s only serving to line someones pocket with a bonus for saving money (which I’m sure it is, even if a combo with above), well, it doesn’t really effect me, so I don’t care either way.

What they need to do is spend money on better sex ed in school, teach them all to keep their legs closed or use a condom. Too many kids pushing strollers. That would solve most of this problem![/quote]

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I have to agree with you in regards to too many children having babies . Then we have more single moms , more Pecker cheques and then we must look at the issue of STDs .

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Well, in one of my previous posts I did mention there are pros and cons to this situation. Yes there are some very young expecting mothers and then there are many that are also in their 20s and 30s that are in relationships. I know of one set of Grandparents to be and they are not happy with this and will be talking to their own family doctor because they would like to see their future grandchild get the care they need and not to put extra stress on mother and child.

Going through a pregnancy can be very scary and stressful on a mother, not to mention if you are 17 yrs old, and you may have to see how many doctors before your baby is born? Women are not just some science project, they do have many emotions during this time and because after the baby is born, they go back to their family doctor for postnatal care. So why can’t a young woman or lady have the same physician? There are some physicians who want to see their patient through this but are told they cannot, this is not right. What choices do physicians and patients have?

This could be the start of our privatized medical system and you the public are not aware. So the physicians are doing this on the 4th floor at no extra cost and supported by NHA. Excuse me, this is a regional hospital and that 4th floor just got rid of the healthy heart excise equipment over to the civic centre and patients moved over to the Manor. I honestly thought the hospital was for beds for patients, not clinics!! If doctors want to have a clinic, get their own building and pay taxes, and business licenses. Terrace doctors got together and have their own clinic.

As for this new clinic, where was the public notification? Pregnant women only found out about this as they go for their prenatal check-ups. No choice or input from those who are expecting. Pilot projects that volunteer, I am for it, but no choice for women? Have we moved back into the male dominant society? I honestly thought being 2000 women have choices and the respect.

As for Thursday only appointments and this does not work well for those women who work and going to school, not to mention if they are a mother already and juggling a schedule for daycare/pre-school/school of other children. If you call this clinic, you get a voice message to leave name and number and they will contact you, so these expected mothers really do not have much choice on their own personal life and schedule. Prenatal check-ups were made according to the woman’s schedule that worked best for her and what time was available from the doctor.

I know there are times during the delivery, there is no guarantee the doctor will be there. And yes we have some awesome maternity nurses but there is a possibility during the nurse change (depends on the length of labour) a woman could have different nurses too. All in all, the woman knows she is in good care and anticipates see her own doctor during the delivery does give a woman’s psychologist mind of peace.

As for many not having doctors, there has been some new doctors in town and it is my hope NHA has let those people know they are available. As also mentioned before, if doctors do not want to deliver, that is what referrals are.

As for taking the emotions out, sorry this is a very emotional time for everyone, mother-to-be, the father and family. Keeping the stress level minimal and being less intrusive is for the benefit and health for both mother and child.

15

So when did this new clinic open and do we already know it is not a viable project? If we aware of the problems occurring then maybe the doctors and staff will be flexible enough to accommodate those concerns. How long has it been up and running and what are the concerns of the moms and their families after treatment? Is there any positive feedback?

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It just started this past Thursday (Sep 23). I don’t think we can really judge whether it is a good idea or not, being only open for one day!

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That is not the point, point is this is not a pilot project, the expected mothers do not have a choice!! Plus there was no consultation with the mothers, nor the public about having a clinic in a hospital vs a private clinic. Hospitals are for those in need of patient care and beds, not clinics.

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[quote=“Bettyboop86”]

That is not the point, point is this is not a pilot project, the expected mothers do not have a choice!! Plus there was no consultation with the mothers, nor the public about having a clinic in a hospital vs a private clinic. Hospitals are for those in need of patient care and beds, not clinics.[/quote]

I think that we need to respect the decision of the doctors that they believe that this best for the community, ensuring that all mothers to be have access to pre-natal care, records at the hospital so when it is time the people making decisions know all the information, and finally freeing up time at the doctor clinics for others.

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[quote=“wollongong”]

That is not the point, point is this is not a pilot project, the expected mothers do not have a choice!! Plus there was no consultation with the mothers, nor the public about having a clinic in a hospital vs a private clinic. Hospitals are for those in need of patient care and beds, not clinics.

I think that we need to respect the decision of the doctors that they believe that this best for the community, ensuring that all mothers to be have access to pre-natal care, records at the hospital so when it is time the people making decisions know all the information, and finally freeing up time at the doctor clinics for others.[/quote]

Ah wollongong, have you spoken to any of these expecting mothers? I have and they said this last week going in for their prenatal check up were told their prenatal files will be going to the hospital and doctors on rotation will be seeing them through their delivery and then they can come back to their family physician. If the expecting mother has other health concerns (flu, soar throat, etc), they may still see their family physician, just not prenatal care. At least one woman I spoke to said her doctor would like to deliver but he has no choice. So who in the hospital is making this kind of thing happen?

This is a stressful time on the mother and child going through this pregnancy and getting ready for the newborn, they do not need more stress wondering who they are going to see next and having to give info about the pregnancies to possibly 7 doctors. Would you like this kind of care for yourself? Maybe those in NHA or specialists will come up with another idea and implement it.

So where is the respect for the expecting mothers? They are not cattle that is herded into a pen to give birth!!

I am not surprised by the posts because those who do not understand what a woman goes through in a pregnancy and/or those who figure they know what is best for the expecting mother and child will continue to comment and that is fine. I will continue to comment because there are many teen mothers and young mothers who do not know who will listen and help them. Where can they go? Sure up to the hospital but it will not matter once they voice their opinion about this process, it is already in motion, right?

I want to know why a decision was made without notification to the expecting mothers, if this was something in the works, why not notify the women in writing as they know who the expecting mothers are vs at the end of the prenatal check up, ole doc says, “Oh by the way, I will not be able to see you for prenatal check ups, your records are going to the hospital and you will be seeing up to 7 doctors on rotation before your delivery. Let me look at the rotation schedule, sorry, I will probably not see you for at least three months.”

Just gonna wait and see what other health services will be in private clinics but at the hospital. Oh and for those communities that are down south and this happens, they have mid-wives with the women through the pregnancy so there is at least one consistent person in the expecting mother’s life. And as we know things are definitely different from the north to the south. My rose coloured glasses are off, are yours?

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I guess if we want to get down to the basics “Betty” and I am not disregarding any of your concerns, we should be glad we have such a high grade of health care. There are many people who would give anything for what we have and would not complain at all but that is an idealistic attitude, I realize. We all seem to have to complain about something before the idea even gets off the ground. I am glad that those girls I am acquainted with, without a doctor at all at the moment, will be able to go and have their checkups etc, before their delivery. I would think not having a doctor would cause more stress than possibly not having the benefit of a one on one connection with a primary.