Your primary care provider may continue to follow you through your pregnancy, birth and postpartum. However, they will also need to refer you to another healthcare provider who specializes in prenatal care, birth and postpartum. Here in Newfoundland and Labrador, the options are:
Talk with your primary care provider to help inform your decision about which option is best for you.
Early prenatal visits typically include a review of your medical history, estimated due date, current medications and any previous pregnancies. Blood tests, early genetic screening or a dating ultrasound may also be offered.
Mental health screening
Mental health screening is important during pregnancy, and your care provider should ask you about your emotional and mental health during this time. Providers may use short, validated questionnaires such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) to better assess your mental health. The EPDS is a brief check-in on how you’ve been feeling.
If your care provider does not ask about your mental health or offer screening, you can bring it up and request a screening. This is especially important if you have a history of mental health concerns or are currently diagnosed or taking medication for a mental health condition.
Most of the first trimester unfolds without emergency, but a few signs warrant urgent assessment. If you experience any of the following, contact a healthcare provider or emergency services right away:
References
This article was developed using sourced educational content from Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Trainings (CPMHT), and informed by the collective knowledge and expertise of CPMHT professionals and Karen Clarke, BA, MSW, RSW, Doula (Open Book Doula, Counselling and Consulting Services), as well as the following cited research and clinical practice guidelines:
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC). "Guideline: perinatal mental illness." Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada (2024).
Vigod, S.N. et al. "Canadian network for mood and anxiety treatments: 2024 clinical practice guideline for the management of perinatal mood, anxiety, and related disorders." The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 70 (2025): 429–489.
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