Latest news with #obstetrics
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
Kelowna General Hospital doctors warn of 'collapse' of primary maternity care coverage
Doctors in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) are warning that the maternity ward is on the verge of collapse amid a shortage of family physicians. A joint statement from all nine members of the department issued Thursday said that "without immediate action from health authorities and government decision-makers, the safety of patients and newborns is at serious risk." "Due to a critical shortage of family physicians willing or able to provide this care— worsened by a failure to recruit replacements—our hospital is facing a collapse of its primary maternity care coverage as early as June 1, 2025. "This means that many pregnant patients may arrive at the hospital in labour with no doctor available to provide safe, continuous care during delivery." The doctors said their concerns about staffing and support have gone largely unanswered and they're demanding immediate action from Interior Health. The doctor representing the group declined an interview request from CBC News. Dr. Hussam Azzam, executive medical director for Interior Health South, acknowledged the physicians' concerns, saying KGH leadership is in regular contact with with the ob-gyns to address a complex issue with "multiple pillars to it that we need to address." "We are open to listen and we're open to work with them collaboratively to meet their needs and to deliver the best quality care that they've trained to do," Azzam said. Dr. Charlene Lui, president of the professional association Doctors of B.C., said family doctors often handle low-risk patients with obstetricians focused on cases that are high risk and more complex. "When we have fewer low-risk maternity providers that are family physicians, then that puts additional pressure on our obstetricians to sometimes need to be in several places at the same time when an emergency arises," Lui said. The statement followed last week's announcement of an extended closure of the pediatric unit at KGH. The health authority said it temporarily closed the pediatric care unit at the hospital to address scheduling gaps due to limited physician availability. "We are very alarmed to hear that the issues at Kelowna General continue to escalate without solutions from the health authority," Lui said Friday. KGH is a regional referral centre with over 1,800 deliveries each year and a Tier 4 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) caring for babies born at 30 weeks gestation or later, according to the doctors' letter. Dr. Jeff Eppler, an emergency department physician at KGH, told CBC News on Friday that he was heading into a weekend shift amid staff shortages, including no pediatricians and a limited number of ob-gyns. "Our staff is burning out. All of these service disruptions just make the job so much harder for all of us in the emergency department," Eppler said. "And even though we are all starting to burn out, we are going to have to pick up extra shifts this summer to make up for all the shortcomings in the system." In a statement, B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne said parents can be assured that all of the hospital's critical care services for children remain open, including the emergency department and NICU. Gavin Dew, the B.C. Conservative MLA for Kelowna-Mission, described the situation at the hospital as a "crisis of government neglect." "We have multiple departments of the hospital who clearly feel as if they are not being heard by the folks who should be listening to them and are resorting to making public the crisis-level conditions at the hospital," Dew said. The hospital ob-gyns said they have warned administrators of the risks, and have tried to offer solutions. "We have submitted multiple letters, proposals, and formal communications urging action," reads the statement. "Our concerns have gone largely unanswered." They are calling on Interior Health and B.C.'s health ministry to create a contingency plan to ensure patients are cared for and to support the transfer of maternity patients if care can't be provided locally. Osborne acknowledged the hard work of pediatricians at KGH, saying they have been dealing with staffing shortages and are "understandably experiencing burnout." She went on to say the province's efforts to recruit health-care workers are starting to pay off. Two new pediatricians have accepted offers to work at KGH, she said, with the first set to arrive in July.
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
OB/GYNs warn of looming crisis in maternity ward at Kelowna General Hospital
Nine doctors who work in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Kelowna General Hospital are warning because of a lack of family physicians who can deliver babies, the region faces the collapse of primary maternity care coverage as early as June 1. In a news release, the nine OB/GYNs, who provide specialized care for high-risk pregnancies and emergency services at the hospital, say they're also being asked to cover low-risk labour deliveries, which are normally covered by family doctors and midwives. 'If a low-risk patient is delivering and something high-risk or emergency comes along where the obstetrician is urgently needed, they can't be in two places at once. So it causes some serious concerns around delivering quality patient care and safety,' said Dr. Charlene Lui, the president of Doctors of B.C. The news release says it puts the OB/GYNs in a position where they will have to choose which patient to care for first, which could result in permanent harm to mother or baby. 'These doctors are sounding the alarm because somebody is going to get hurt, somebody is going to die,' said Gavin Dew, the B.C. Conservative MLA for Kelowna-Mission. 'It has gone on for far too long. These smart, talented and trained frontline professionals have not been heard.' The warning about a looming crisis in the maternity ward at Kelowna General comes on the heels of the pediatric unit announcing it will close for six weeks because of a shortage of pediatricians. 'Kelowna at the moment is really seeing some enhanced challenges compared to other regions of the province and the country,' said Lui. 'This is in every parent WhatsApp group in Kelowna and in the Okanagan. Everyone is talking about this, everyone is scared by this, everyone is angry about this,' said Dew. 'We obviously need appropriate staffing levels. We obviously need operational changes. But the most important thing that needs to happen is that government needs to start listening to the frontline medical professionals who are the boots on the ground dealing with this crisis,' he added. 'We do have concerns that Interior Health is downplaying how serious these issues are and how they can negatively affect patients in the community and the physicians working in the hospital,' said Lui. CTV News reached out to Interior Health for comment but did not hear back by deadline. This article will be updated if a response is received.
Health Line
23-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Why Do I Feel Movement in My Lower Abdomen?
It's not unusual to feel movement in your lower abdomen. Many typical body functions may cause those sensations. If the movements continue or you have other symptoms, speak with a healthcare professional. Tugs and twists, pulls and plucks. Your belly can experience all kinds of sensations on a daily basis. Most are completely typical, but sometimes, an unusual movement or feeling may stand out. Read on for more information about the more obvious causes, like pregnancy and digestion, the less common causes, and when that unusual movement may be a sign of something more concerning. What might cause movement in your lower abdomen during pregnancy? Pregnancy is a time of new experiences. One of those includes the commotion happening in your abdomen. As babies develop, their movements, however small, can be increasingly felt by the person carrying them. Quickening is the term used to describe the flutters and sensations of movement that pregnant people experience. Most people will experience these first fetal movements between 16 and 25 weeks. This is during the second trimester. By the third trimester, you should be feeling movement regularly. In subsequent pregnancies, you may be able to feel those movements earlier as your body knows what to expect, but the timelines for movement can be different for each person and each pregnancy. What movements may mean if you're pregnant If you feel movement while you're pregnant, your baby may be: hiccupping turning over stretching limbs flexing kicking When you might need to see a doctor Movement in your abdomen while you're pregnant is expected and most likely typical. However, sometimes, other sensations in your abdomen can be signs of a potential problem. If you notice any of the following signs and symptoms, don't wait for your next checkup — contact your doctor or healthcare professional right away: severe diarrhea dizziness or fainting a fever higher than 100°F (37°C) feeling pain or burning while urinating or having problems urinating vaginal bleeding unusual vaginal discharge, such as a gray or white discharge that smells foul blurred vision or seeing spots in your eyes cracked and bleeding nipples swelling in your hands, face, or fingers chronic, severe headaches pain in your arms, chest, or legs Chart of potential causes for movement in your lower abdomen Causes of abdominal movements when pregnant Causes of abdominal movements when not pregnant hiccupping digestion turning over indigestion stretching limbs ovulation flexing muscle spasm kicking allergic reaction intestinal obstruction diverticulitis Gas or bloating What might cause movement in your lower abdomen when you're not pregnant? Pregnant people aren't the only ones who may experience unusual movements or sensations in the lower abdomen. Common body functions like digestion can cause these feelings. Even gas or indigestion can be responsible. Understanding the likely cause for these movements can help you decide if they need to be treated or if they may warrant a trip to the doctor. Digestion When you eat, the muscles in your digestive tract start moving to bring food through your stomach and into your intestines. You may feel these muscles moving immediately after you eat or even a few hours later. Indigestion On the flip side of digestion is indigestion. Indigestion may cause: heartburn nausea stomach pain bloating vomiting Less commonly, you may experience a gnawing sensation in the stomach, which can feel like muscle movement. Indigestion can be treated at home with over-the-counter antacids. But if you experience chronic indigestion or begin to experience severe vomiting, black stools, or unexplained weight loss, seek treatment from a healthcare professional. Ovulation During a menstrual cycle, you may experience a variety of sensations and feelings. Cramps at the start of a menstrual period may make muscles in your lower abdomen feel tighter. This may feel like movement. During ovulation, you may also experience jumps or pops in your lower abdomen. This is usually caused by the ovary stretching to release the maturing egg. Often, this sensation is mild and temporary. Muscle spasm Just as you can have muscle spasms in your arms or legs, you can have muscle spasms in your abdomen. These involuntary contractions can be the result of muscle strain or overuse. But they can also be a sign of dehydration. Most muscle spasms are mild and will pass on their own. If you continue to have them, or if they worsen and become severe, you should talk with your doctor. They may want to look for contributing factors for these muscle spasms. Allergic reaction A feeling of fluttering or twitching in your abdomen may be a sign that your digestive tract is experiencing an allergic reaction to something you ate. Although it's uncommon, these feelings can be related to celiac disease or an abnormal reaction to gluten. Avoiding foods with gluten can help prevent these movements and any accompanying symptoms of celiac disease. These may include: abdominal bloating or pain persistent diarrhea constipation vomiting weight loss Intestinal obstruction Digested food particles travel from your stomach through a long line of intestines and organs before they exit your body as stool. Sometimes, that digestive path can become blocked. The blockage may be partial or total. When the blockage occurs, you may experience a variety of symptoms, including muscle cramps that can feel like movement. Other symptoms of an intestinal obstruction include: severe bloating nausea vomiting constipation inability to pass gas or stool abdominal swelling An intestinal obstruction should be diagnosed and treated by a doctor as quickly as possible. No home treatment can remove the obstruction. Diverticulitis Diverticulitis is a condition that affects the digestive tract. It causes uncomfortable symptoms like bloating and diarrhea. It can also cause pain and muscle cramps in your abdomen, which may feel like movement. Without treatment, diverticulitis can lead to symptoms like: nausea and vomiting constant pain in the abdomen bleeding from the rectum If you have any of these symptoms, you should make an appointment to see your doctor. Takeaway Feeling movement in your abdomen isn't an unusual experience. If you're pregnant, jolts and jabs can be caused by a developing fetus. It can also be the result of typical digestion, muscle spasms, or ovulation. Rare but more serious issues, like intestinal obstruction, aren't a common cause of movement in the abdomen, but the sensation may be a sign of it. If the feeling of movement in your abdomen becomes chronic or you begin experiencing additional symptoms, make an appointment to see a doctor.
CBC
17-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
I never imagined my 4th pregnancy would be my first without a family doctor
Social Sharing This First Person article is the experience of Maggie Campbell, a wife and mom in P.E.I. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ. I could hear her heart beat thanks to an at-home fetal doppler. Our three sons gathered around us on the couch and watched as Dad put the jelly on my belly. The sound of their little sister's heart beat made them laugh. I should have been feeling joy in this precious moment, and I did, but that joy was overshadowed by worry. When we found out we were expecting our fourth baby, we were not immediately ecstatic. Instead, our thoughts were: "We don't even have a doctor. Where do we go?" I called the office of the obstetrics doctor who cared for me during my previous pregnancy in 2022, hoping I could return to him. In P.E.I., patients generally see their family doctor for the majority of their pregnancy as long as they're low risk, and aren't transferred to the care of an obstetrics doctor until around 34 weeks. But the doctor's office explained I would have to call the provincial patient registry — the waiting list for people who don't have a family doctor — and they would direct me. I've given birth in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and P.E.I., travelling to stay near my mother and brother before returning permanently to P.E.I. to be with my husband's family. Normally, I would see my family doctor to confirm the pregnancy and the process would begin. But since my family doctor in P.E.I. had retired and I don't have a new one, I instead spent days just trying to sort out who I was supposed to call and where I had to go. Like much of Canada, P.E.I. has a shortage of family doctors. It's even statistically official: Access to health care is worse in P.E.I. than in any other province. WATCH | Could foreign-trained doctors fill the gap in P.E.I.?: P.E.I. has a family doctor crisis. Could starting a Practice Ready Assessment program help? 2 months ago Duration 3:04 Prince Edward Island is the only province to not offer a Practice Ready Assessment program, which would speed up the process for internationally trained physicians wanting to practise on the Island. CBC's Taylor O'Brien looks into how offering this program could help the province tackle its family doctor shortage. On top of all that, I struggle with severe ADHD and after years of searching, found a safe, non-habit forming and reliable medication, but I had to stop taking it when I found out I was pregnant because of the potential risks to the developing baby. My ADHD means I have a difficult time regulating emotions and processing problems or dealing with the unexpected. Pregnant with no doctor and no medication to help control my racing mind, my mental health declined rapidly while I waited for my first appointment. My husband has been my yellow light — slowing me down, helping me keep track of the important appointments and keeping the kids busy when I need a minute. I don't know how I would have gotten by without him, but he has a full-time job and works nights so we couldn't have maintained this setup for long without proper medication and therapy for me. A few weeks later, I got my first appointment with a family doctor thanks to the patient registry. That first appointment was a blur — we checked the heartbeat, did some routine tests and I was sent for blood work. My blood pressure was a worry but we started monitoring immediately from home. I've had three healthy boys but have not always had easy pregnancies. We nearly lost our second boy at 20 weeks due issues with the placenta. He was born at 36 weeks, after several weeks of bed rest. We spent seven days in the NICU while he was treated for jaundice and some other preterm issues. Our third son was another difficult pregnancy and an even more difficult birth. I was afraid this last pregnancy would be difficult, too. Between that first appointment and the second scheduled for four weeks later, my blood pressure steadily got worse. I was without ADHD medication and despite lining up to try and see a doctor at a walk-in clinic, I never managed to get a slot. By the time my second appointment rolled around, I was an emotional wreck and physically declining as well. I spent the majority of the appointment crying. The doctor classified me as high risk for pre-eclampsia, prescribed medication for high blood pressure as well as a new ADHD medication to try, and referred me to an OB who I was told had more experience with high-risk pregnancies. I was relieved to be assigned the same OB I saw during my last pregnancy. He got me through that just fine, and I feel reassured to have someone familiar to see me through this pregnancy, too. Without a family doctor, it took longer to access care and the process was tricker to navigate than my previous pregnancies. While the situation is far from ideal, the medical professionals I've seen have done their jobs well and as quickly as they can given the state of the medical system on P.E.I. I trust that I'm in good hands for the remainder of this pregnancy, but now my worry turns to life after our baby girl arrives in July, when we go back to being without regular medical care, back to the struggle maintaining my ADHD and medications without a doctor — and now, with four little people who rely on me. WATCH | This Ontario woman is 9 months pregnant, and there's no one nearby to deliver her baby She's 9 months pregnant, and there's no one nearby to deliver her baby 3 months ago Duration 8:14 A huge swath of northern Ontario between Timmins and Thunder Bay has almost no one trained in obstetrics, forcing women to relocate for the final weeks of pregnancy. CBC's Nick Purdon went there to find out what it's like to navigate the 'maternity ward desert.'
RNZ News
12-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
'Systems failure': Woman had miscarriage after Health NZ failed to escalate care despite multiple ED visits
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone A woman who suffered a miscarriage during her first pregnancy when Health NZ failed to refer her to obstetrics after multiple ED visits is owed a written apology, according to the Health and Disability Commissioner. According to a decision released on Monday, the woman presented to Wairarapa Hospital five times over the course of her pregnancy. She was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition characterised by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss and electrolyte disturbance. She was given intravenous hydration and anti-nausea medication. But on her final visit to ED, she was suffering from weakness, dehydration and exhaustion, had several episodes of fainting, and blood test results were abnormal. She was admitted to the High Dependency Unit, and the following day, transferred to another hospital because of abnormal electrolytes and renal function. There, an ultrasound scan showed the woman had suffered a septic miscarriage. The Deputy Health and Disability Commission found in a recent decision the miscarriage was the result of a "systems failure" - specifically, that her care was not escalated to the obstetrics team, and therefore she did not receive appropriate scans to check the health of the fetus. It also failed to ensure the woman was taking her anti-nausea medication effectively, and did not ensure the woman's discharge summaries were shared with her lead maternity carer. The written decision said the Deputy Commissioner was "critical of Health NZ for failing to manage the woman's ongoing and severe hyperemesis gravidarum appropriately and proactively and failing to monitor the health of her fetus appropriately". It ultimately found Health NZ breached the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights, which gives every consumer the right to co-operation among providers to ensure quality and continuity of services. The deputy commissioner recommended Health NZ provide a written apology to the woman, and provide evidence that an education session about new guidelines and patient information had been held for ED staff, and finally, conduct an audit of a sample of discharge summaries to ensure they had all been copied to lead maternity carers. RNZ has approached Health NZ for comment.
