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Antepartum Care

The BC Women’s Antepartum Unit works with women who require hospitalization during their pregnancy related to complications for themselves and/or their unborn babies.
About

Our Services

Our goal is to provide specialized care to these women to achieve the healthiest pregnancy and birth possible. 

The unit provides the following services:
  • Antepartum care in the hospital
  • Antepartum home care 

Our Staff

Our team consists of experienced and caring nurses, maternal fetal medicine specialists, dieticians, and social work.   Together this team works collaboratively with you and your family to monitor your ongoing high risk pregnancy and to ensure your specialized needs for care are met. 

In Hospital

Antepartum Care in Hospital

 Pregnant women who may need to be admitted to the Antepartum unit are: 

  • Preterm labour (contractions before 37 weeks of pregnancy)
  • Premature rupture of membranes (unexpected “water bag” leak)
  • Bleeding
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes management
  • Smaller than expected baby growth
  • Multiple pregnancy (more than one baby)
  • Polyhydramnious (more than the normal amount of fluid around the baby)
  • Fetal conditions (e.g. cardiac concerns, anemia)
  • Ongoing hyperemesis (constant nausea and vomiting)
Women with a medical or surgical concern:
  • Chronic pain (e.g. back pain)
  • Kidney conditions
  • Cardiac/lung conditions
  • Physically challenged (e.g. paraplegia)
  • Post surgical procedures during pregnancy

Your Midwife or Family Doctor, in consultation with an Obstetrician or Perinatologist, will continue to care for you while you receive care on the Antepartum Unit. Care providers are available twenty-four hours a day.


At Home

Temporary Closure of Antepartum Home Care Program March 2020

APHC Closure March 26 2020.png

Antepartum Care at Home

The Antepartum Home Care Program provides care to women with complications of pregnancy that may safely be cared for in their home.  You will be referred to this program by your care provider.  Experienced nurses provide regular home visits to closely monitor mother's and baby's condition, while keeping in close contact with your care provider.  
 
What do the Home Care Nurses do?

  • Teach you about the effects of your pregnancy complication for your and your baby 
  • Teach you to monitor your own health and the baby's health
  • Phone daily
  • Visit you regularly to assess you and your baby
  • Report to your doctor/midwife regularly 
  • Answer your questions about pregnancy, labour, and birth
Home Care Nurses are available for advice:
  • Seven days a week
  • 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If you need help outside the service hours, contact your doctor or midwife.
 
Each visit will last about one hour. If you need extra time, you can arrange this with the nurse before the visit.
 

Our Partners

  •  Antepartum Care at Home Program at Surrey Memorial, Surrey, BC – serving women in the Fraser Valley
  • Antepartum Care at Home Program at Royal Columbian Hospital, New Westminster, BC – serving women in Coquitlam/Port Coquitlam.
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