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Services
Pre-conception and
Early Pregnancy
We are happy to meet for a pre-conception consultation if desired. Common topics for discussion include fertility, management of pre-existing health conditions in pregnancy, health optimization, screening and vaccination.
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If needed we will fit you in for an early pregnancy visit before starting the routine prenatal visits. Sometimes the nausea of early pregnancy is too severe to wait or you may have specific time sensitive questions (eg. starting preventative aspirin for a history of pre-eclampsia or progesterone for recurrent miscarriages).
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Prenatal Care
We offer full prenatal care following the Alberta perinatal services pathway. We accept transfer of care from family physicians throughout the Peace region. We occasionally share care with our specialist OB/GYN colleagues for complex pregnancy concerns.
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At each appointment you will have your blood pressure checked by a medical office assistant. You will then see a nurse who will measure baby, listen to the heart beat and review your pregnancy. Lastly you will see a doctor who will answer any questions and discuss what to expect in the next few weeks.
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Obstetrical Emergency
For emergent issues, such as bleeding, severe pain, a lack of fetal movement, visual change, severe headache, labour or if your water breaks, please seek help at your closest hospital or call 911. If you are not sure of the urgency of the issue you can call 811 for advice.
If you present to the Peace River Community Healthcare Center you will need to register at the front desk. If you are greater than 24 weeks pregnant you will be sent to Acute Care and a member of our team will be called. If you are under 24 weeks pregnant you will be sent to the emergency department. The emergency physician who may consult one of us if needed.
Delivery
We provide low risk deliveries at the Peace River Community Health Center. This includes vaginal deliveries >36 weeks, medically indicated induction of labour, trial of labour after cesarian (TOLAC) and vaccuum delivery. We do not routinely deliver breech or twin pregnancies vaginally.
We will consult our local family practice surgical colleagues for cesarian section or other surgical concerns. Higher risk deliveries would be referred to OB/GYN in Grande Prairie or Edmonton
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Safety is central to everything we do. We carefully follow national guidelines and are all trained in neonatal resuscitation.
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When decisions need to be made we review the risks, benefits and alternates before making a decision together with you.
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Postpartum
We work together with the nurses at Public Health to monitor your health in the postpartum period. Public Health usually calls or visits in the first 3 days.
If there were no concerns at discharge we typically book the first postpartum check at 7-14 days. The second standard postpartum check is at 6-8 weeks. ​
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At each visit we will check baby's weight, do a complete physical exam, check in on milestones and discuss any concerns. We follow the routine health screening and vaccination schedule recommended by the province.
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For mom we check in on physical recovery, mental health and review any questions you may have.
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If you have any concerns outside of these visits please call the clinic
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If your concern is urgent, please present to the nearest emergency department. Examples would include lethargy, jaundice, fever in an infant <3 months, mastitis, increase in bleeding postpartum, etc.
Lactation Medicine
Dr Shonoski is a Certified Lactation Consultant and is completing a 2 year Lactation Medicine fellowship.
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Common reasons to request a pre-delivery consultation would include prior breastfeeding concerns, breast surgery, lack of breast growth during pregnancy or gestational diabetes (or a positive GDM screening test).
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Common issues postpartum include difficulty latching, over or under supply, managing engorgement and pumping.
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Referrals from your delivering doctor, family physician or public health nurse are preferred. If you cannot access a health care provider you can call the clinic to self refer.
Contraception
We can help you with your contraceptive choices postpartum. There are many factors that weigh into this decision which we can explore with you.
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Short acting birth control options include contraceptive pills, rings, patches and the depo shot. The medications with only progesterone are considered more compatible with breastfeeding.
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Long acting reversible contraception includes the intrauterine devices (IUD) and the nexplanon implant. These provide excellent birth control for 3-8 years. An IUD can be placed at the 6-8 week check or at a separate visit. The Nexplanon implant can be placed any time postpartum.
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For permanent contraception we can facilitate referrals to our local surgical colleagues for vasectomy or female sterilization (tubal ligation).