This article serves as an informational resource only and does not provide medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for more information on pregnancy care in your community.
Following an exploration of childcare services on campus and a guide to abortion access for McGill students, The Tribune finds it vital to publish a Tribune Explains on access to pregnancy care. Although the tiny, cramped seats of Leacock 132 do not paint a pregnancy-friendly picture of campus, there are several avenues for specialized pregnancy care at McGill.
Where can students find emergency pregnancy resources on campus?
The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) has an Obstetrics department designed for high risk pregnancies. Accessing pregnancy care at the MUHC requires a referral from a physician, which patients can obtain at a walk-in clinic. However, for a pregnancy that is not high risk, the department will direct patients to a different obstetrician.
For early pregnancies, the MUHC provides specialized care through their Early Pregnancy Rapid Assessment Clinic (EPRAC), which supports pregnant people under 18 weeks experiencing abnormal symptoms like bleeding or severe cramping. The appointment slots at the EPRAC are first come, first served on a daily basis, open Monday through Friday mornings.
For pregnancies past 18 weeks that require emergency support, students can access the MUHC’s Birthing Centre. Emergency circumstances include a patient’s water breaking, vaginal bleeding, or other worrying symptoms as listed on the MUHC’s website. Patients can contact The Birthing Centre by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What other resources does the MUHC provide?
Aside from the numerous clinics within the MUHC’s Obstetrics department that provide care in cases of extreme or complicated pregnancies, the MUHC also offers educational resources for those experiencing a first-time pregnancy. These resources outline how to register as a patient—with the MUHC or an outside hospital—how to support newborn diets, and how to breastfeed. Recognizing the intense changes pregnancy can bring about, the MUHC provides resources for mental health support during pregnancy, support following miscarriages, and legal contacts for cases of domestic violence.
Where can I go for pregnancy support in greater Montreal?
For most pregnancies that are past 18 weeks and not high risk, one must seek an obstetrician beyond McGill. For example, Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine is one of the top pediatric hospitals in North America, situated behind Mont Royal on Decelles Avenue. Sainte-Justine provides patients obstetric care from the beginning of pregnancy to the end, with specialists available.
How can I access accommodations as an expecting parent?
McGill has a set of accommodation guidelines to assist with pregnant students’ needs. The guidelines note that pregnant students are responsible for reaching out to their department’s Student Affairs Office, whose specific Undergraduate Program Director will meet with the student to decide in advance where they can make accommodations. The student must provide medical documentation of pregnancy to the Office.
Where can I find financial support?
Patients can apply for financial reimbursement through most health insurance plans, including McGill-provided international health insurance, after they have paid for treatment.
If a pregnant student is employed, applying for the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan during pregnancy can help ease the financial load of taking care of a newborn baby. In order to apply, one must be a Quebec resident, and have either stopped working or expect to experience a 40 per cent decrease in income following the birth.
For more information on resources for pregnant students, visit the MUHC website. If you need urgent medical support, call 911.
