The updated Family-Centred Maternity and Newborn Care: National Guidelines are dedicated to improving and creating consistency in maternal and newborn health and to inform evidence-based practice across Canada. The aim of the guidelines is to positively impact health from preconception to postpartum, and throughout the life course of children, women and families.

The fact sheet acknowledges that not everyone in Canada has equal access to prenatal care and that Indigenous women and their families, along with women and their families living in rural or remote areas of the country, may not always have access to health care providers (HCPs) who are trained in the provision of prenatal care.

Confirming that “all care should be based on the unique needs of each woman and her family”, the fact sheet includes the following key family-centred care recommendations:

• Welcome the woman's support persons and acknowledge them at all points of care.

• Communicate using language based on respect, inclusion, and acceptance.

• Shared decision-making is based on the principle that the woman's self-determination is an essential component of her care and is a process that requires collaboration between families and HCPs. Take the time to determine the unique personal, psychosocial, educational, physical, spiritual, and cultural needs of the woman and her family.

• Be aware of the influence of culture on the unique needs, hopes, and expectations that women have during pregnancy. Each family is unique; they adapt their cultural traditions and practices to their own experience and needs and they interpret the culture of health care within this context. HCPs will want to be aware of this and assess each situation individually.

• Every effort should be made to provide women with continuity of care from the same HCP or team. By asking women about their questions, concerns and current needs at each prenatal visit, and documenting this information, HCP's can help ensure continuity of care when other HCPs are involved prenatally or during labour and birth.

• The location and organization of prenatal care can be a critical factor in determining whether women choose (or are able) to access services. Services need to be located and organized in such a way to minimize barriers to care.

The Pregnancy in Canada infographic provides statistical data on:

·         Prenatal care sources

·         Prenatal education

·         Satisfaction levels with involvement in decision-making

·         Percentage of pregnancies affected by a chronic condition

·         Percentage of women diagnosed with depression or treated with anti-depressants prior to pregnancy

·         Medication use during pregnancy

·         Rates of reported intimate partner violence

·         Rates of hyperthyroidism in pregnancy

·         Rates of reported substance use during pregnancy

PDFs of the chapters and related factsheets/infographics are available online at: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/maternity-newborn-care-guidelines.html

Over the next two years, the Public Health Agency of Canada will be releasing the remaining chapters. 

If you have any questions about the Family-Centred Maternity and Newborn Care: National Guidelines please contact Lynn Menard at Lynn.Menard2@canada.ca.