Prenatal Care and Pregnancy Guide for Newcomers to Canada (2026)

Expecting a baby as a newcomer to Canada brings both excitement and uncertainty. You may have questions about how prenatal care works, whether you can choose a midwife, what hospital births cost, and what government benefits are available to new parents. The Canadian healthcare system provides comprehensive maternity care, and understanding how to access it can make your pregnancy journey smoother and less stressful.

This guide covers everything from your first prenatal appointment to postpartum care, including provincial health coverage, midwifery services, hospital birth, prenatal classes, and the parental benefits you may be entitled to as a newcomer.

Getting Started with Prenatal Care

As soon as you suspect you are pregnant, your first step should be to confirm the pregnancy and begin prenatal care. In Canada, you have several options for your primary prenatal care provider:

Family Doctor

If you have a family doctor, they can provide prenatal care throughout your pregnancy and refer you to an obstetrician if complications arise. Many family doctors in Canada are trained to manage low-risk pregnancies and will see you for regular checkups, order blood work and ultrasounds, and coordinate your care.

Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN)

An obstetrician is a specialist in pregnancy and childbirth. You typically need a referral from a family doctor, though some provinces allow self-referral. Obstetricians are recommended for high-risk pregnancies, including those involving gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, multiple pregnancies (twins or more), or other complications.

Midwife

Registered midwives are an excellent and increasingly popular option for prenatal care in Canada. Midwifery care is fully covered by provincial health insurance in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and other provinces. Key benefits of midwifery care include:

• Longer appointments — Midwife visits typically last 30 to 60 minutes, compared to 10 to 15 minutes with a doctor.
• Continuity of care — You see the same midwife (or small team) throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
• Birth location choice — Midwives can attend births at home, in birth centres, or in hospitals.
• Postpartum home visits — Midwives visit you at home after birth, typically for up to six weeks.
• No cost — When covered by provincial health insurance, midwifery care is free.

To find a midwife, contact the Canadian Association of Midwives or your provincial midwifery regulatory body. In Ontario, visit the Association of Ontario Midwives website. Demand for midwives is high, so register as early as possible — ideally as soon as you have a positive pregnancy test.

The Prenatal Care Schedule

A typical prenatal care schedule in Canada includes:

• Weeks 4 to 28 — Appointments every 4 weeks. Initial bloodwork includes blood type, Rh factor, complete blood count, hepatitis B, HIV, syphilis, rubella immunity, and urine culture.
• Weeks 28 to 36 — Appointments every 2 weeks. Glucose screening test for gestational diabetes is done around weeks 24 to 28. Group B streptococcus (GBS) swab at 35 to 37 weeks.
• Weeks 36 to delivery — Weekly appointments to monitor the baby's position, your blood pressure, and overall readiness for delivery.

Ultrasounds

You will typically have two routine ultrasounds covered by provincial health insurance:

1. Dating ultrasound — Around 8 to 12 weeks, to confirm due date and check viability.
2. Anatomy scan — Around 18 to 20 weeks, to check the baby's development and screen for structural abnormalities.

Additional ultrasounds may be ordered if there are concerns. All medically necessary ultrasounds are covered by provincial health insurance.

Prenatal Screening and Genetic Testing

Canada offers several prenatal screening options:

• Enhanced First Trimester Screening (eFTS) — A blood test and ultrasound at 11 to 13 weeks that screens for Down syndrome and other chromosomal conditions. Covered by provincial insurance in most provinces.
• Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) — A blood test that screens for chromosomal abnormalities with high accuracy. Covered by some provinces for high-risk pregnancies. If not covered, it costs approximately $400 to $600.
• Amniocentesis or Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) — Diagnostic tests offered if screening results indicate higher risk. Covered by provincial insurance when medically indicated.

Hospital Birth in Canada

The majority of births in Canada (approximately 98%) take place in hospitals. Here is what to expect:

Costs

If you have a valid provincial health card, hospital birth is fully covered — including the delivery room, nursing care, any necessary medical interventions (C-section, epidural, etc.), and a standard hospital stay (typically 24 to 48 hours for vaginal delivery, 48 to 72 hours for cesarean). There is no bill for the birth itself.

See also: Canadian Healthcare System Guide

What to Bring

• Your health card and photo ID
• Your prenatal record (your care provider will usually send this to the hospital in advance)
• A car seat for the baby (hospitals will not discharge you without a properly installed car seat)
• Comfortable clothes for you and the baby
• Personal items: toiletries, phone charger, snacks

Pain Management Options

• Epidural anesthesia — The most common form of pain relief during labor. Available at all hospitals with maternity wards and covered by provincial insurance.
• Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) — Available at many hospitals as a less invasive option.
• IV pain medication — Options like fentanyl or morphine for early labor.
• Non-pharmacological methods — Hydrotherapy (birthing tubs), movement, massage, breathing techniques. Many hospitals have birthing tubs available.

What If You Don't Have Health Insurance Yet?

If you are pregnant and in the provincial health insurance waiting period, you have several options:

• Purchase private interim insurance — Note that most private insurance plans have a waiting period for maternity coverage (often 10 to 12 months), so this may not cover prenatal care if you're already pregnant.
• Community health centres — Many CHCs provide prenatal care on a sliding scale or at no cost to uninsured individuals.
• Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) — If you are a refugee claimant or protected person, the IFHP covers prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum care. Call 1-888-614-1880.
• Hospital financial counselling — If you deliver at a hospital without insurance, speak with the hospital's financial counselling department. Many hospitals have programs to reduce or waive fees for uninsured patients.

For more about healthcare coverage during the waiting period, see our guide to telehealth and virtual doctor services.

Parental Benefits for Newcomers

Canada offers generous parental benefits, but eligibility depends on your employment and immigration status:

Employment Insurance (EI) Maternity and Parental Benefits

• Maternity benefits — Up to 15 weeks at 55% of your average weekly earnings (up to a maximum of approximately $668 per week in 2026). Available to the birth mother only.
• Standard parental benefits — Up to 35 weeks (shared between parents) at 55% of earnings.
• Extended parental benefits — Up to 61 weeks at 33% of earnings.
• Eligibility — You need at least 600 insurable hours of work in the 52 weeks before your claim. This means you must have been working and paying into EI.

Apply through Service Canada's EI maternity and parental benefits page.

See also: Employment Insurance (EI) Benefits Guide

Canada Child Benefit (CCB)

The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment to eligible families with children under 18. For the 2025-2026 benefit year:

• Up to $7,787 per year per child under age 6.
• Up to $6,570 per year per child aged 6 to 17.
• Benefits are reduced based on family net income above approximately $36,502.
• Eligibility — You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, or temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 months and has a valid permit.

Provincial Benefits

Some provinces offer additional benefits. For example, Quebec has its own parental leave program (QPIP), which is more generous than the federal EI program and includes paternity-specific leave.

See also: Maternity & Parental Leave Guide

Postpartum Care and Support

After birth, you can expect the following support:

• Public health nurse visit — Most provinces send a public health nurse to visit new parents at home within a few days of discharge. They check on the baby's feeding, weight, and overall health, and screen the parent for postpartum depression.
• Breastfeeding support — Many hospitals and community organizations offer free lactation consultant services. In Ontario, call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 for breastfeeding support. La Leche League Canada also offers free peer support groups.
• Postpartum mental health — If you are experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression or anxiety, tell your healthcare provider immediately. Treatment is available and effective. You can also call the Pacific Post Partum Support Society at 604-255-7999.

Having a baby in Canada as a newcomer can be a wonderful experience when you know how to access the care and support available. For personalized guidance on maternity care and settlement, visit the WelcomeAide settlement checklist.