Public or private prenatal screening? Time is so precious!

To go private or not to go private, that is the question!

Having to choose whether or not to carry out some of your medical tests related to your pregnancy in private is a dilemma that many pregnant women will experience from the beginning of their pregnancy. It can be difficult to find your way around when you get a ton of prescriptions and it's your first time.

Who to go to?
When will these appointments be?

To make your life easier, Prenato clinics maximize the number of services available in the clinic and in a single appointment. A good way to save time and travel!

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Private care: tax deductible and often reimbursed by your private insurance

For many couples, the decision often comes down to cost alone. It is important to mention that most Prenato services are reimbursed in part or in full by private group insurance. If not, they are deductible from health care taxes.

Would you like to know if our services are reimbursed by your insurance? Ask us for a quote!

Unfortunately, decisions are often made based solely on price and without comparing services. We forget the most important thing: the reliability of the tests offered, the personalization of the service, the medical follow-up of the results, the possibility of combining services to reduce the number of appointments, the waiting time or even the time you are given during your appointments, in order to really be able to ask all your questions.

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Public vs private: the comparison

So we had the idea to compare the complete services of a pregnancy, namely the 1st trimester ultrasound (nuchal translucency), antenatal screening, routines I and II (which are blood tests and which include the gestational diabetes test) and the 2nd and 3rd trimester ultrasound.

First, if you choose to go to the public, you will need to ensure the accessibility of services. Indeed, for several sectors, obtaining an ultrasound in any trimester is difficult, if not impossible, at the right time with the overflow of services. Some mothers-to-be will not have the choice to have their ultrasound done in private so as not to exceed the necessary time.

To the public:

Following her first meeting with the doctor or with her midwife, the pregnant woman will have to make several appointments. His first appointment will be to have a first blood test for his first blood test (routine I) And his prenatal screening using serum markers.

During a second appointment, she will carry out her Nuchal translucency ultrasound. A moment that sometimes only lasts about fifteen minutes.

Then, on her third date, she will do her second blood test for prenatal screening using serum markers, since prenatal screening for Quebec prenatal screening program for Down syndrome is done in 2 different blood tests. Despite having had their nuchal translucency done in the public, some women will not be guaranteed a place for their second ultrasound at around 21 weeks. The fact that the schedules are largely filled every 15 minutes, many patients experience an endless and unpredictable waiting time. Nothing is more nerve-wracking than waiting through other moms with the same feeling.

Unfortunately, this will happen again in the third quarter for those who need a growth assessment.

For her routine II (gestational diabetes test), she will need another appointment. So, several calls later, with parking, transport and absence from work expenses, she will end up in the waiting room of a CLSC.

After all these appointments, she will finally get her screening results around the 18th week of pregnancy. If her risk is high (= or > 1/300), she will be offered to take a fetal DNA test for results in mid-pregnancy with her rather rounded belly.

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At Prenato:

If the same pregnant woman decided to entrust her perinatal care to the Prenato Clinic instead, she would contact one person to book all her appointments.

On her first date, she would be welcomed to carry out her prenatal screening (serum markers or fetal DNA), her Routine I And his Nuchal translucency ultrasound (longer and more detailed). What could be better than to see if baby has everything he needs to grow well, to appreciate his little movements when he is disturbed and to keep the memory of them!

Around her 13th week, she would have all her results and if her risk was ever high (= or > 1/2500), she would be offered a fetal DNA test at no additional cost with which she would have a result in 3 to 5 working days. At this same appointment, she can make her next appointment second trimester ultrasound for morphology. With flexible and accessible schedules, there are few obstacles to getting an appointment in the ideal time.

In fact, the third ultrasound is as accessible. This mom will be able to visualize baby from top to bottom, and even be able to leave with beautiful memories captured during the exam.

Toward the end of her pregnancy, she would return to Prenato for her gestational diabetes test (routine II). Depending on the clinic chosen, she may be entitled to an office space to work or rest while waiting for this slightly longer test. Recall that throughout her pregnancy, she would have access to the Prenato nursing team if she had concerns or questions. Because yes, our clients can benefit from antenatal support directly online. If not, try to talk to such an experienced perinatal professional as soon as possible in the current context... It will be difficult!

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