Congratulations on your pregnancy!
Welcome to the Family Way Obstetrical Group at Women’s College Hospital – a group of family physicians with a special interest, training and expertise in low-to-average risk pregnancy and birth. We are accepting new prenatal patients. We guide our families through the natural process of birth, while providing the skills and expertise to deal with complications that can arise. Our approach is grounded in shared decision making in the hopes of achieving a secure and caring relationship throughout your pregnancy and an excellent birthing experience with our team.
Prenatal appointments take place at Women’s College Hospital Family Practice Health Centre
Deliveries take place at Mount Sinai Hospital
Prenatal appointments take place at Women’s College Hospital Family Practice Health Centre where you will have access to a comprehensive team of knowledgeable healthcare providers including:
- lactation consultants
- dietitians
- nurses
- social workers
- a physiotherapist
- an occupational therapist
- and a pharmacist.
All services are covered by OHIP.
Some mothers will develop complications that require additional support during pregnancy. Our team is well prepared for this, and we work closely with a group of specialist physicians at both Women’s College Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital for consultation if needed. Our clinic is an academic family medicine training site, fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. We are proud to be engaged in teaching and research. Your care team will include resident physicians who have completed medical school and are completing specialized training in family medicine, supervised by staff family physicians.
Deliveries take place at Mount Sinai Hospital, a leader in obstetrical care and one of the largest labour and delivery centres in Canada. Your core delivery team will include:
- a nurse
- a resident physician and
- a staff family physician obstetrician.
We also work closely with a larger team that includes obstetricians, paediatricians and anesthesiologists, among others, to ensure the highest of standards of care for our families.
Betty Chen MD, CCFP
Susie Kim MD, CCFP
Karen Wong MD, CCFP
Batya Grundland MD, CCFP
Karen Lee MD, CCFP
Tuhina Biswas MD, CCFP, FCFP
Diana Hsiang MD, CCFP
Carrie Schram MD, CCFP
Dr. Schermbrucker MD, CCFP
Why you should choose a family physician to care for your pregnancy
Choosing the right healthcare provider during your pregnancy is important. If you are generally healthy and have a low-to-average risk pregnancy, you can choose to be followed by a family physician, obstetrician or midwife in Ontario.
Obstetricians support normal vaginal delivery but also perform assisted vaginal deliveries and Caesarean sections. They specialize in the management of more complicated pregnancies (e.g. high blood pressure, heart disease, multiple pregnancy). Our Family Way Obstetrical Group has a close relationship with the obstetricians at Mount Sinai Hospital and can refer for shared care or transfer of care (if necessary) at any time during your pregnancy. If you have a high risk pregnancy to begin with, it is best to find an obstetrician.
Registered Midwives provide routine care during pregnancy, delivery and the postpartum period. They provide continuous care for women with low-risk pregnancies. They also attend births in many settings, including hospital, home, and birthing centres. If you are interested in a home birth or delivering at a birthing centre, rather than in hospital, then it is best to find a midwife.
Family physician obstetricians are skilled in prenatal care, delivery, postpartum and newborn care. We take a holistic, family-centred approach, considering the impact of your general health on your pregnancy as well as the impacts of your pregnancy on your future health. Family physicians can also treat other health concerns that aren’t specifically related to pregnancy in one visit. Therefore, if you have several health concerns, seeing a family physician may reduce the overall number of appointments you need. A family physician can provide continuous care throughout your pregnancy, delivery and then care for your newborn baby while you are in hospital.
We host a Meet the Doctor Night
A forum where your family physician obstetrician team will answer your questions about your labour and delivery experience.
Due to COVID-19 we are offering a VIRTUAL Meet the Doctor NIGHT in the comforts of your own home
Meet your family medicine delivery team and
• learn about our philosophy, standard of practice
• see the birthing unit video and learn about what it offers
• get answers to your questions about “what to expect”
Registration is not required and you can attend at any stage of pregnancy. Families are welcome.
March 6, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/82969320014
Meeting ID: 829 6932 0014
Password: 137051June 1, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/82081727014
Meeting ID: 820 8172 7014
Password: 159981
If this is your first Zoom meeting, you may need to install some software before being able to join.
Family Way Obstetrical Group
Women’s College Hospital
77 Grenville Street
Floor 3 and 4
Toronto, ON M5S 1B3
Phone: 416-323-6060
Fax: 416-323-6493
We are accepting new prenatal patients.
If you would like to become a patient of the Family Way Obstetrical Group, contact us by:
Phone: 416-323-6060 ext. 4867
Fax: 416-323-6493
Email: familyobreferrals@wchospital.ca
We accept self-referrals and referrals from physicians.
Have a question about our program?
Email: familyobreferrals@wchospital.ca
Note: Medical questions will not be answered. This message will go to an non-medical administrative assistant for the Family Way Obstetrical Program who will be able to answer general questions about our program and services.
Our clinic is open:
| Routine Care | |
| Monday to Friday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Closed from noon to 1:00 p.m. |
| Urgent Care | |
| Monday to Thursday | 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | 9:00 a.m. – noon |
Urgent care appointments are triaged by our nursing staff and booked on the same day or next day.
If you have an urgent pregnancy-related concern:
| During clinic hours, please call the clinic at 416-323-6060 and speak with your team nurse: | Outside of clinic hours, after 5 pm and on weekends: |
| Red Team – press ext 3, then 1 Green Team – press ext 3, then 2 Yellow Team – press ext 3, then 3 Blue Team – press ext 3, then 4 | Less than 20 weeks pregnant: Please call the Telehealth Advisory Service: 1-866-553-7205. More than 20 weeks pregnant please call 416-323-6400 ext. 4141 and ask to speak to the family practice OB doctor on call. If you do not receive a call back within 30 min, please go to triage at Mount Sinai Hospital or call 911. |
Locations
Prenatal appointments take place at:
Women’s College Hospital | Family Practice Health Centre
77 Grenville Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1B3
3rd floor for Red Team and Blue Team
4th floor for Yellow Team and Green Team
Deliveries take place at:
Mount Sinai Hospital
600 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5
15th floor for Labour and Delivery
Referral Information
If you would like to refer your patient to the Family Way Obstetrical Group for prenatal care and delivery, please email or fax a referral.
You can contact us the following ways:
Phone: 416-323-6060 ext. 4867
Fax: 416-323-6493
Email: familyobreferrals@wchospital.ca
We are a group of family physicians with a focus on providing comprehensive low-to-average risk obstetrical care including antenatal care from conception to six weeks postpartum. We work with an interdisciplinary team including nurses, lactation consultants, social workers, dieticians, a pharmacist, a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist.
Our team provides prenatal appointments at Women’s College Hospital Family Practice Health Centre while deliveries take place at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Mother and baby will be returned to you postpartum. We will see mom for their six week postpartum check at our clinic.
We are not able to provide routine prenatal care to non-residents of Canada.
A note about billing
The vast majority of our billing codes are out-of-basket, however there is the odd time where urgent care would result in a fee code being billed that may result in outside access penalties. Although we try to avoid this as much as possible, please consider de-rostering your patient during their pregnancy.
We are accepting new prenatal patients.
If you would like to become a patient of the Family Way Obstetrical Group, contact us by:
Phone: 416-323-6060 ext. 4867
Fax: 416-323-6493
Email: familyobreferrals@wchospital.ca
We accept self-referrals and referrals from physicians.
Here is what to expect at your prenatal visits. This schedule is intended as a general guide. Your provider will adjust your personalised schedule based on your and your baby’s health needs.
| 6-14 weeks |
|
| 11-13 weeks | Nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound |
| 14-28 weeks | Visits every 4-5 weeks |
| 18-20 weeks | Anatomy ultrasound |
| 24-28 weeks |
|
| 27-32 weeks | Tdap (Pertussis/”whooping cough”) vaccine |
| 28 weeks | Rhogam injection (for Rh negative patients only) |
| 28-36 weeks | Visits every 2-3 weeks |
| 32-36 weeks |
|
| 35-36 weeks |
|
| 36-40+ weeks | Visits every week |
| 40 weeks | Ultrasound (biophysical profile/wellbeing) |
| 41+ weeks | Induction of labour 7-10 days after due date (if applicable) |
| 6 weeks post-partum | Post-partum visit |
General information about having a baby at Mount Sinai Hospital
Up to date information on COVID-19 and pregnancy & related Mount Sinai hospital policies
Understanding your options for prenatal screening and diagnostic tests is important.
General information about early pregnancy
Prenatal screening
Understanding your options for prenatal screening and diagnostic tests is important. Prenatal screening tests are non-invasive. They combine an ultrasound and blood work to give an estimate of risk that your pregnancy may be affected by certain genetic conditions. Prenatal diagnostic tests are invasive procedures that are able to diagnose whether or not your pregnancy is affected by certain genetic conditions.
- Summary of Prenatal Screening Options in Ontario (Pdf)
- Learn more about screening
- Learn more about diagnostic testing
Food safety
Healthy weight gain
It is normal to gain weight during pregnancy.
- Use the pregnancy calculator to estimate your optimal weight gain.
- Find out more about prenatal nutrition from Health Canada’s website.
Medications and supplements
It is important to review all medications and supplements with your healthcare provider.
Resources to check the safety of medication and supplement use in pregnancy include:
Exercise in pregnancy
According to the 2019 Canadian guideline for physical activity throughout pregnancy:
All pregnant individuals can participate in physical activity throughout pregnancy with the exception of those who have contraindications (listed below).
- All those without contraindication should be physically active throughout pregnancy.
- Pregnant people should accumulate at least 150 min of moderate-intensity physical activity each week to achieve clinically meaningful health benefits and reductions in pregnancy complications.
- Physical activity should be accumulated over a minimum of 3 days per week; however, being active every day is encouraged.
- Exercise should incorporate a variety of aerobic and resistance training activities to achieve greater benefits. Adding yoga and/or gentle stretching may also be beneficial.
The following are absolute contraindications to exercise:
| The following are absolute contraindications to exercise: | The following are relative contraindications to exercise: |
| Ruptured membranes. | Recurrent pregnancy loss. |
| Unexplained persistent vaginal bleeding. | Gestational hypertension. |
| Placenta praevia after 28 weeks’ gestation. | A history of spontaneous preterm birth. |
| Pre-eclampsia. | Mild/moderate cardiovascular or respiratory disease. |
| Incompetent cervix. | Symptomatic anaemia. |
| Intrauterine growth restriction. | Malnutrition. |
| High-order multiple pregnancy (eg, triplets). | Eating disorder. |
| Uncontrolled type I diabetes. | Twin pregnancy after the 28th week. |
| Uncontrolled hypertension. | Other significant medical conditions |
| Uncontrolled thyroid disease. | |
| Other serious cardiovascular, respiratory or systemic disorder. |
Mental health
Pregnancy is a challenging time for both mothers and partners. Those with a history of poor mental health are at increased risk of worsening patterns in pregnancy. If you are having concerns, know that you are not alone and we are here for you
Speak to your provider about a referral to the Women’s College Hospital Mental Health Program (link to the program). Our psychiatrists offer a comprehensive Reproductive Life Stages Program tailored for those who are trying to conceive, pregnant and within one year postpartum. They also offer support for fathers.
Common symptoms of pregnancy
Learn more about the most common discomforts of pregnancy including: morning sickness, fatigue, heartburn, constipation, insomnia, bleeding gums and tooth pain, headaches and migraines.
Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting is one of the most common and troublesome symptoms in early pregnancy. For most mothers, nausea and vomiting will ease after the first trimester, but for some, it will persist throughout pregnancy. Here are some strategies to cope
Constipation
Nearly half of pregnant people will experience constipation during pregnancy. Here are some strategies to cope
Heartburn
Most pregnant people will develop symptoms of reflux and heartburn at some point during their pregnancy. Symptoms often worsen towards the later stages of pregnancy. Here are some strategies to cope.
Insomnia
Sleep problems are common during pregnancy. Sleep studies tell us that hormonal changes, plus the discomforts of later pregnancy, can break up a pregnant woman’s sleep cycle. Here are some strategies to cope.
General information about mid pregnancy
General information about Having a Baby at Mount Sinai Hospital
Vaccines in pregnancy
The COVID-19 vaccine, the tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) vaccine and the influenza (flu) vaccine are recommended in pregnancy.
Learn more about vaccines in pregnancy
Prenatal Classes
We recommend that all expecting mothers and parents consider taking a prenatal class to help prepare for labour and childbirth in the third trimester. There are many options available, so it is a good idea to start researching the best option for you early on. Most prenatal classes will charge a fee. We have prepared a handout which includes some options that are free of charge.
- General information about late pregnancy
- General information about Having a Baby at Mount Sinai Hospital
- COVID-19 and Labour and Delivery – For the most up to date information on COVID-19 and pregnancy as well as Mount Sinai Hospital policies affecting the labour and delivery
- Birth plan – Please complete and review your birth plan with your family physician obstetrician close to term (typically between 34-36 weeks). It is a good idea to review this document after you complete your prenatal classes if you are taking them.
- What to bring to the hospital – It’s time to start packing your bags! Here is a list.
- Labour decision tree
- Virtual hospital tour –
- Taking Care, Information for parents – This is booklet to help you in the early days of parenting.
- General information to guide you through the postpartum period
- Registering Your Newborn – How to register your new baby with the province online for free.
Hearing Screen
Most babies will have their newborn hearing screen in-hospital, however for some, they will need to do this in the community or have follow-up in the community. Your healthcare team will let you know if you need to arrange this. Book online in Toronto here.
Click “Infant Hearing Screening”, then “Book Online”
Have a question about you baby?
About Kids Health – Find trusted information about kids’ health compiled by The Hospital for Sick Children, ranging from different health conditions, medications, stages of growth, and a lot more.
Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding chart
- 10 Great Reasons to Breastfeed your Baby – Find out why breastfeeding is beneficial to both you and your baby.
- 10 Valuable Tips for Successful Breastfeeding – Learn some tips to help make your breastfeeding experience more successful.
- Medication and supplement use while breastfeeding
The LactMed® database contains information on drugs and other chemicals to which breastfeeding mothers may be exposed. It includes information on the levels of such substances in breast milk and infant blood, and the possible adverse effects in the nursing infant. Suggested therapeutic alternatives to those drugs are provided, where appropriate. All data are derived from the scientific literature and fully referenced. A peer review panel reviews the data to assure scientific validity and currency.
Parenting
- Healthy Babies Healthy Children is a free home-visiting program that supports you and your family with:
- having a healthy pregnancy
- developing a positive relationship with your child
- promoting your child’s growth and development
- connecting you to resources and programs within your community
- working together to give your child the best start in life
- Healthy baby healthy brain – Ideas to support your baby’s brain development
- Healthy Parenting – An online resource from the City of Toronto, which reviews common topic related to parenting such as: healthy development, positive discipline, feeding and oral health.
- City of Toronto Child and Family Programs – Child health and development workshops, screening clinics and other supports are offered through community partners such as neighbourhood EarlyON centres, public libraries and other local agencies.
- Nobody’s Perfect is a facilitated parenting program for parents of children from birth to age five. The program is designed to meet the needs of parents who are young, single, socially or geographically isolated, or who have low income or limited formal education offered in communities by facilitators to help support parents and young children.
Register here
Frequently Asked Questions
Prenatal appointments take place at Women’s College Hospital | Family Practice Health Centre, located at:
77 Grenville Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1B3
3rd floor for Red Team and Blue Team
4th floor for Yellow Team and Green Team
When you call to enrol with our program, you will be assigned to a provider based on the half-day that is most convenient for you to attend medical appointments. You can contact your clinical team for any questions or concerns during clinic hours at 416-323-6060.
You will deliver your baby at the Mount Sinai Hospital Birthing Unit, located at 600 University Avenue on the 15th floor. We recommend that you enter the hospital via the Murray Street entrance, which is open 24/7.
Our group members work on call “shifts” of 12-24 hours. You will be attended by two physicians for delivery, family medicine resident and a staff family medicine obstetrician who will follow your labour. In addition, our hospital has a “one-on-one” nursing policy, meaning that you will have a dedicated nurse for your labour and birth.
One of the advantages of choosing the Family Way Obstetrical Team to deliver your baby is that the same team will provide care for you and your baby after birth. A team member will visit you every day in the hospital to provide breastfeeding support and ensure that you and your baby are in good health.
Yes! We host a “Meet the Doctors Night” on a quarterly basis.
This is a virtual forum where your family medicine delivery team will answer questions about your labour and delivery experience.
Future dates:
December 15, 2022 at 6:00 pm
There is a doctor on call for our group at all times.
If you have an urgent pregnancy-related concern:
During clinic hours, please call the clinic, 416-323-6060, and ask to speak with your team nurse.
Outside of clinic hours, after 5 pm and on weekends:
If you are more than 20 weeks pregnant, please call 416-323-6400 ext. 4141 and ask to speak to the family practice OB doctor on call.
If you do not receive a call back within 30 min, please go to triage at Mount Sinai Hospital or call 911.
If you are less than 20 weeks pregnant, please call the Telehealth Advisory Service, 1-866-553-7205.
If you are having an emergency, please go to your local hospital emergency department or call 911.
Meet Your Team
The Family Practice Registered Dietitians (RDs) are your healthcare professionals for food and nutrition information. At minimum they have a BSc. specializing in food and nutrition, and have completed a graduate degree and/or an intensive hospital-based internship. They are regulated by the College of Dietitians of Ontario.
RDs turn the science of nutrition into practical information. They can give you feedback to improve your nutrition, support a healthy pregnancy, and provide advice to manage common food-related issues in pregnancy.
Contact your Family Way OB team for details on how to be referred to our Dietician.
The Family Practice Pharmacist specializes in helping patients and healthcare providers get the most benefit from medications. The pharmacist can work with you to make sure your medications are indicated, effective, and safe in all stages of pregnancy. You may book one-on-one appointments with the pharmacist to address any medication-related questions or concerns you have.
Contact your Family Way OB team for details on how to be referred to our Pharmacist.
A board-certified lactation consultant is a specially trained health care professional that supports and educates mothers in chest/breastfeeding their babies. We understand the challenges of newborn care and feeding, and provide non-judgemental support, working closely with parents to achieve their infant feeding goals. We are trained in assisting parents with common nursing issues such as difficulties with latching, pain while nursing, and low milk production. As part of your newborn care, we will closely monitor babies to ensure that they are gaining weight appropriately, as well as help parents plan for what to do if they are not. Additionally, we can also support more complex lactation issues such as prevention and treatment of wounds, feeding preterm/multiples, breast/bottle refusal and alternative methods of feeding.
Lactation consultants can also help mothers develop a plan for getting more sleep, returning to work or school, or even how best to store expressed breast milk. We assist parents on how to use common breastfeeding equipment like breast pumps, storage containers, and bottles. Lastly, we offer and encourage all parents-to-be to attend our prenatal breastfeeding education classes, offered in-person and virtually at our clinic.
Contact your Family Way OB team for details on how to be referred to our Lactation Consultant.
Please review these helpful resources before meeting our lactation consultants: