Time to Make Early Pregnancy Care a Priority in Canada

Vrati M Mehra; Selena Meng; Lynn Murphy-Kaulbeck; Modupe Tunde-Byass

doi:10.1016/j.jogc.2024.102688

Time to Make Early Pregnancy Care a Priority in Canada

J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2024 Oct 14:102688. doi: 10.1016/j.jogc.2024.102688. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Vrati M Mehra¹, Selena Meng¹, Lynn Murphy-Kaulbeck², Modupe Tunde-Byass³

Affiliations

¹ Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, ON.
² Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS.
³ Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, ON; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, ON; Obstetrics and Gynecology, North York General Hospital, ON. Electronic address: modupe.tunde-byass@nygh.on.ca.

PMID: 39413872
DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2024.102688

Abstract

Early pregnancy is a critical period often accompanied by complications like early pregnancy loss. Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinics (EPACs) provide specialized and compassionate care to those experiencing these complications. First introduced in the United Kingdom, EPACs have been found to improve quality of care, reduce wait times, and cut costs. In Canada, EPACs are primarily limited to large urban centres at hospital sites. Access in other parts of the country, especially in rural areas, remains limited. Low-volume units managed by specialist nurses and family doctors, with support from specialists, are the best way to bring EPACs to more Canadians in need.

Keywords: Canada; early pregnancy; health services accessibility; pregnancy complications.