Antenatal

Zika Virus infection in pregnancy is a self-limited disease that generally lasts a few days up to two weeks. However, there may be a risk of microcephaly or abnormal neurologic development in the fetus. It is unknown at this time whether the timing of the infection in pregnancy or the severity of the symptoms in the pregnant person influence the risk to the fetus. Travellers are recommended to have early consultation with a health care provider regarding questions about Zika virus in pregnancy.

Labour is a dynamic process, with each birthing person experiencing the pain of labour differently. Effective pain management involves understanding the range of available strategies and choosing the options that best support comfort, control, confidence, and enhance coping throughout each stage of labour. This infographic outlines both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic pain management techniques—highlighting practical, evidence-informed methods that can be used alone or in combination.

In response to recent questions about exposure to products that may have been contaminated with listeria, we would like to remind providers of a testing and treatment algorithm that was developed by the IWK and RCP for pregnant patient with presumptive listeria exposure.
Pregnant patients with a positive blood culture for listeria should be referred to the Fetal Assessment & Treatment Centre (FATC) for surveillance.

This resource has been developed by care providers at IWK Health with contribution from the Reproductive Care Program. The goal is to offer prenatal care providers across Nova Scotia with an information resource that will guide pregnant persons regarding fetal movement.
Feel free to print the resource for easy reference and / or posting within your clinical spaces.

This practice resource provides prenatal care providers with screening and treatment guidance for anemia in pregnancy, based on evidence as of the date of the most recent version. The algorithm distinguishes between the types of anemia that may be encountered, presents the health professional with the most appropriate treatment options, and provides recommendations for follow-up assessments.

This practice resource, developed in September 2021 and revised in February 2022, provides information to care providers related to a new approach to GDM screening in Nova Scotia. The practice resource has been informed by evidence and has been adapted specifically to Nova Scotia’s context and population of pregnant persons. It includes the Diabetes Care Program of Nova Scotia GDM screening practice algorithm and information related to the interpretation of testing results.

The Nova Scotia Vaccine Expert Panel has updated resources for care providers to use with pregnant and breastfeeding individuals to guide discussion about COVID-19 vaccination. This information is specific to adult immunization.

Accurate assessment of gestational age is crucial:

1. to determine viability of extreme preterm birth
2. to properly interpret maternal serum screening for aneuploidy
3. to prevent post term induction of labour and
4. to optimize obstetric care including avoiding inappropriate perinatal interventions.

Consistent approaches to gestational age assessment must also be taken to optimize accuracy.

Syphilis and Screening in NS for Pregnant Persons and Newborns

The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) has recommended moving from universal newborn ocular prophylaxis, to universal prenatal screening for Neisseriae gonorrhoeae (GC) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and treatment of those with positive results in order to eradicate infection and prevent intrapartum transmission to the newborn.