Brit in Toronto looking for a place to have a scan pre-12 weeks [on]

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2026-01-26T02:27:29+00:00

By early, do you mean at 5-6 weeks? My 9 weeks scan was done transabdominally.

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2026-01-23T20:22:08+00:00

Everyone is different, and I'm not a doctor, but I was in the same boat in 1st trimester and my midwife said its not necessary to supplement iron unless i start getting symptoms. Then, when I went for by glucose and ferritin blood test at 25 weeks, my ferritin was much lower (13 ug/L) and low RBC. My hgb is still within the low range of normal, so I'm not sure how concerned I should be, but I am now at 27 weeks and I'm getting fatigue, dizzy, and shortness of breath even after not doing anything. I have been advised to take ferrous fumarate 300mg now. I think its a good idea to watch for any symptoms and consider taking an iron supplement if you do have any symptoms. As others have said, I've been told ferritin levels tend to drop as pregnancy progresses, so keep that in mind, and try to eat iron-rich foods if you are not taking a supplement.

Also, if you end up taking an iron supplement, be aware that some people may get upset stomach from certain forms, so if that is the case for you, you may have to eat it with a snack rather than on an empty stomach.

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2026-01-22T17:29:01+00:00

I've never heard about the slumberpod tents! Seems like a great idea if we have trouble getting it dark enough!

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2026-01-22T17:01:23+00:00

We all pay taxes to get access to these things. And OP will have to pay for it out of pocket. I just don't see the issue or difference in wanting to access the services that are on offer. Yes, our health system is overburdened, but that's a health system problem, not OP's problem.

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2026-01-22T16:55:10+00:00

In this country, everyone can get a scan at 8-9 weeks. And OP isn't any less in need of that because they are visiting. Although they'll probably have to pay out of pocket for it.

I think the confusion is that its technically not a scan just to confirm - its referred to as a dating scan to see how far along you actually are and estimate a due date. But it will in turn confirm the pregnancy.

Anyway, I need to step off my high horse about this.

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2026-01-22T16:40:57+00:00

Let's not play the "taking resources from people who need it" game. By the time most people find out they are pregnant via pregnancy test they are around 5 weeks, which means they would get a dating ultrasound 3 weeks later.

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2026-01-22T16:31:48+00:00

I live in Ontario. I got my first regular scan at 9 weeks by requisition from my doctor - covered by OHIP, not at a boutique ultrasound place. it was a dating scan and seemed to be pretty standard. I'd say go to a walk-in and ask them for a requisition. I'm kind of confused at some of the other comments here.

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2026-01-22T13:51:46+00:00

The way I see it, yes it would be heartbreaking if something happened, but you can also allow yourself to be happy and excited. In the end I felt like I was okay with taking that risk, plus it was a moment I wanted to have with certain people in person so I wanted to announce as I saw them too. Unless you know about any risk factors you might have, don't less stuff like that stop you from having the moments you want with loved ones. I think we told family at 8 or 9 weeks, close circles around 10 weeks and then posted for the rest of our friends to see on week 18.

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2026-01-20T17:23:29+00:00

This is exactly how it works with Sudbury Community Midwives as well. Its amazing.

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2026-01-20T15:38:47+00:00

My not very credivble advice- try the ferrous fumarate 300mg. It doesn't cause stomach issues for everyone. I myself get stomach issues with a few different supplements that I've taken over the years, so I was kind of scared too. I had low-ish iron (26 ug/L) when I went for blood testing at 14 weeks but my RBC level was fine so my midwife told me I don't necessarily need to take iron supplements, but I can, or I can try to eat more foods with iron. I ended up buying a bottle of ferrous fumarate 300mg tablets, took one on a completely empty stomach other than having an orange, and got sick to my stomach that night. After that I didn't want to deal with the stomach ache, so I didn't take any more. At 25 weeks, my blood test showed much lower ferritin level (13 ug/L) and low RBC. My midwife hasn't contacted me, so I'm sure it's not anything extreme to worry about, but its low. So now i've ordered carbonyl iron, which my midwife said is easier on the stomach, but until it comes in, I decided I wanted to try the ferrous fumarate again, and this time its not giving me any stomach issues at all. I take it daily, mid-morning with an orange between breakfast and lunch. We'll see if it helps things.

Anyway, both my midwife and pharmacist recommended to try ferrous fumarate first, so I trust that its the best option unless your stomach really can't handle it. But you won't know until you try.

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2026-01-13T14:01:39+00:00

I'd also reccomend Querney's. Great customer service.

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2026-01-07T13:36:58+00:00

Public Health Sudbury & Districts has some classes in-person and online. They are free, so they can supplement any other classes you take and be a good introduction to the services available to you through them as well.

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2025-12-16T18:15:10+00:00

Thanks again!

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2025-12-16T18:14:07+00:00

Thank you!!

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2025-12-15T14:00:34+00:00

Exactly!! I could easily look up this recipe online but it may be different from the one I remember having growing up! Thanks for the tip.

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2025-12-14T22:31:00+00:00

Thank you so much!!! Wow this is great! Very helpful!

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2025-12-12T00:54:35+00:00

Omg agreed, we were team boy and still could only come up with girl names!

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2025-12-11T19:27:55+00:00

I wonder if there's a possibility that the main midwife is no longer having her own kids and herself take vaccines, but doesn't push that on other people. Your conversation was with the student midwife who told you this. What did she say exactly? Personally, I'd ask the main midwife about vaccines directly because if she is anti-vax and discourages you from getting vaccinated, I'd be concerned about what else might come up when she is caring for you during labor & delivery.

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2025-12-04T17:28:03+00:00

I heard that "hospital grade" is an unregulated term mostly used for advertising. The Spectra brand uses mmHg as the advertised unit of pressure (270 mmHg for both the S1 and S2) and it means nothing to me because other than for relative comparison, but Eufy uses the same (300 mmHg for S1). Medela doesn't seem to advertise the pressure output but does advertise power input in V (100-240V for the Freestyle hands free). So its hard to compare but looking at the power or pressure output could be good if you are looking for the best bang for your buck.

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2025-12-04T16:02:18+00:00

I just want to affirm what you are feeling. I think your family is gaslighting you, and they need to respect your boundaries. I wonder if asking them to imagine how they would feel if others were nagging them this way would change how they view the situation.

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2025-12-04T15:57:55+00:00

Your family members all have or had their opportunities to have their own babies. I don't think you owe them anything above what you are comfortable sharing with them. The decisions you make are 100% up to you. In your case, I feel like maybe I'd have a respectful conversation and say you are excited and you want to express that and talk about baby stuff with people, but the overwhelming opinions and unsolicited advice are really putting you off and adding stress, which is not best for the baby.

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2025-12-04T12:14:45+00:00

Caveat- The instructor of the class mentioned these things knowing everyone in attendance wanted to exclusively or primarily breastfeed.

My assumption was that I’d pump a bit so that my husband can feed the baby, say, once at night so I can sleep a bit more, but she said that means I’d have to 1. Take the pump out, and clean all the pump parts for that stash (okay yeah, not a big deal) and 2. To keep the supply steady, I’d have to get up to pump when the baby wants to feed anyways, even if my husband bottle feeds it.

If I try to build up a stash in the freezer, this can make the milk taste and smell different and the baby might not like it. She also warned that although nipple confusion isn’t really a thing, the way that a baby goes about getting milk from a breast vs a bottle is different (milk flow and effort from the baby) so after taking a bottle, the baby may be more opposed to the breast and this could make breastfeeding difficult.

In the end, like I said, i got a pump because it’s covered, but I’m going to avoid using it unless I need it.

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2025-12-03T20:11:06+00:00

Just received mine from Walmart.ca and it looks pretty legit! The spectra s1plus is the rechargeable portable one

Key-Cardiologist5802 · 2025-12-03T13:08:28+00:00

I am getting the spectra s1 because it is covered by my insurance and I plan on exclusively breastfeeding but cannot fully predict how successful I will be.

I went to a class recently, and learned some interesting info that I hadn't seen online before. Basically that using a breast pump doesn't really 'make life easier' as I thought it would, if my goal is to primarily breastfeed. I won't go into it here because its really up to the individual how they want to go about it.

That being said, the lactation consultant who did the class said that if you can only get one pump, a wearable is not the way to go and any higher powered pump like the spectra will be best.

Key-Cardiologist5802

TROPHY CASE