Why Choose Family Medicine Obstetrics?
Family medicine obstetricians are family physicians who are dedicated to providing care during pregnancy, labour and delivery, as well as in the postpartum period. We are also experts in newborn care and breastfeeding. As a family physician, I provide personalized and wholistic care for pregnancy and other concerns.
Pregnancy is a natural and typically healthy time of change and transition. I am committed to answering your questions and guiding you through your pregnancy journey. I empower my patients through shared decision making.
I deliver at The Ottawa Hospital - Civic Campus with a small group of female family physicians. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for our patients in labour or presenting to the hospital with any urgent obstetrical issue. You can find the rest of my team at MOMMA. We run regular ‘Meet the Doctors’ nights via Zoom so that you have a familiar face for your big day.
For patients with a family doctor, I encourage you to see your normal family doctor for non-pregnancy related issues that come up during your pregnancy (eg. an ankle sprain). I typically manage pregnancy-adjacent issues (eg, thyroid problems, mental health) at our routine appointments. Your family doctor will not be affected by you seeing me for prenatal care due to how OHIP organizes billing for prenatal and in-hospital care. For those patients without a family doctor, I will help you with non-pregnancy related issues during your prenatal visits and up to 8 weeks postpartum.
I provide care during
Pregnancy
Birth
The hospital stay for baby and mother
If you do not have a family doctor, I can also provide care for the first 8 weeks postpartum for baby and mother
Unique Features of Family Medicine Obstetrics Services
I can diagnose and manage other medical problems that come up at your prenatal appointments. For example, you will not need to see a specialist or other practitioner to manage a thyroid issue or to get treatment for anxiety. I am able to provide whole person care. If your health condition is beyond my scope of care, I refer to specialists as required.
I provide a 30 minute personal education session on breastfeeding to interested families. I see you in hospital and postpartum to help initiate nursing. As a family physician, I see the wonderful health benefits of nursing on both mother and child in the years after pregnancy and birth. I will work with you pre- and postpartum to help you meet your breastfeeding goals.
A physician from my small team will see you and baby in the hospital after delivery. If I’m on call that day, I will see you. I will also see you in my office during the first two months postpartum, as required, to support your postpartum recovery, your breastfeeding journey and your newborn’s wellbeing. As a family physician, I am able to diagnose and manage health problems in your newborn should they arise.
Family doctors typically provide one-on-one care for labouring patients. Our team rarely has more than one patient in labour at a time. This means you get individualized attention and have time to form a relationship and ask questions of your physician during labour and delivery. Family physicians prioritize low intervention care. We are also trained to recognize emergencies and respond appropriately. Should you or your baby need intervention that we do not provide (for example, forceps or a Cesarean section) we remain with you to guide and support you.
What’s the Difference between a Family Medicine Obstetrician, a Midwife and an Obstetrician?
Family medicine obstetrics is a happy medium between midwifery and obstetrics services.
Trying to choose between different types of care providers? I’ve made a chart for you!
NOTE: THE CHART BELOW IS BEST VIEWED ON A DESKTOP (NOT A PHONE OR OTHER MOBILE DEVICE)
MIDWIVES
FAMILY MEDICINE
OBSTETRICS
Typical Appointment Times
30-60 minutes
15-30 minutes
5-30 minutes
Help with non-pregnancy concerns
Refer to a physician for diagnosis and management of non-pregnancy concerns.
Diagnose and manage non-pregnancy concerns.
Typically refer you to your family doctor or another physician.
Medications in pregnancy and labour
Can prescribe specific medications related to pregnancy and birth. For example, Diclectin for nausea or medications for induction of labour.
Refer to obstetrics and/or co-follow patients having medically complex pregnancies.
Can prescribe any necessary medications, pregnancy related or not. For example, medications for acne, anxiety or thyroid problems.
Refer to obstetrics and/or co-follow patients having medically complex pregnancies.
Can prescribe any necessary medications, pregnancy related or not. Typically refer you to another physician for medications unrelated to pregnancy.
Are able to manage any high-risk pregnancy complications.
Labour Support
Provide one-on-one care for labouring patients.
If labour is abnormal, the obstetrics team is consulted.
Can assist with home, birth centre or hospital deliveries.
Provide one-on-one care for labouring patients.
If labour is abnormal, the family doctor may continue care or may consult obstetrics depending on the situation.
Can assist with hospital deliveries.
Typically care for a number of labouring women at a time.
Can offer any necessary medical intervention.
Can assist with hospital deliveries.
Breastfeeding Support
Provide prenatal and postpartum breastfeeding support.
Provide prenatal and postpartum breastfeeding support.
Recommend breastfeeding but do not provide hands on support or specific advice on technique.
Postpartum Care
Provide postpartum care in the hospital/birth centre and home, at each newborn visit, at 8 weeks postpartum.
Provide postpartum care in the hospital, at each newborn visit and at 8 weeks postpartum in clinic.
Provide postpartum care in the hospital and at the 6-8 week follow up appointment.
Newborn Care
Provide care in the hospital (or home or birth centre) and in the community for the first 8 weeks. Typically would refer any babies with health concerns to a physician.
Provide care in the hospital. Diagnose and manage most newborn ailments and abnormalities. Dr. Bardsley also offers care in the community for the first 8 weeks.
Obstetricians do not care for newborns. Babies born to mothers cared for by obstetrics are seen by a pediatrician in the hospital. Community care is done by the family’s pediatrician or family doctor. Newborns without a health care provider can be seen at the Monarch Clinic for a few visits to ensure they are gaining weight.
Similarities between Care Types
Excellent care is provided by midwives, family doctors and obstetricians. All providers have a goal of low intervention care.
The schedule of appointments is usually the same except for in the postpartum period
You can deliver at a hospital with any provider.
You can have a natural labour with any provider. You also can have an epidural with any provider.
Doulas are welcomed by all care providers.
Delayed cord clamping and skin-to-skin contact is promoted by all providers.
Patients with one prior cesarean section can be cared for by any provider. Patients with two or more cesarean sections are best cared for by obstetrics.
Your baby is in good hands!
No matter who you end up choosing as your health care provider during your pregnancy and beyond, you are in good hands! Here in the Ottawa area we are lucky enough to have many different midwives, family medicine doctors and obstetricians who all offer high-quality, patient-centred care.
If you have any specific questions about choosing the best health care practitioner to work with during this exciting time or want to know if Family Medicine Obstetrics is right for you, please book an appointment below.
Dr. Bardsley is currently accepting new prenatal patients!
If you are ready to book an appointment for prenatal care, please click below. I look forward to meeting you!