LAST UPDATES -- PLEASE READ BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
UPDATED October 30/23 @ 0930 AM: Section A (flu/COVID vaccinations available to all)
UPDATED October 20/23 @ 1003 AM: Section B (updated prenatal clinic dates); Health Information: new free prenatal class
UPDATED September 12/23 @ 0808 AM: Section B (prenatal clinic moved November 16 to 15)
UPDATED September 7/23 @ 1111 AM: Updated Health Information link - Mirena
UPDATED September 1/23 @ 1120 AM: Section F (name now changed to COVID Information; update on QCH and office masking; vaccine info)
UPDATED August 28/23 @ 1118 AM: Section B (updated prenatal clinic dates)
UPDATED August 20/23 @ 1015 AM: Section B (updated prenatal clinic dates)
UPDATED July 27/23 @ 530 PM: You may bring one (healthy) additional person to your appointment if you wish. Home page modified to remove COVID restrictions!
UPDATED July 24/23 @ 840 AM: The office is reopened. Masking is no longer required in the office. If you are sick, please reschedule your appointment.
UPDATED July 17/23 @ 1231 PM: The office is closed for vacation and will reopen on July 24/23. If you are over 20 weeks and having an obstetrical emergency or have urgent questions, please call the QCH Birth Unit at 613-721-2000 x2127. If you are less than 20 weeks pregnant, please contact your family physician or go to the QCH Emergency Department.
UPDATED June 27/23 @ 1145 AM: Section B (updated prenatal clinics); Health Care Information link - First Trimester Pregnancy Complications under Obstetrics
UPDATED May 18/23 @ 1640 PM: Health Information --> First Prenatal Package --> To Our Obstetrical Patients and What to Bring to the Hospital (QCH)
A. OFFICE INFORMATION
Masks are now optional at the office or at Queensway-Carleton Hospital if you are well. If you have any symptoms, please wear a mask.
If you are ill, please reschedule your appointment.
EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 30, 2023, FREE FLU/COVID VACCINATIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL CITIZENS OF OTTAWA AT OTTAWA PUBLIC HEALTH CLINICS (GREEN LINK BELOW) AND LOCAL PHARMACIES. Flu and COVID vaccinations may be given at the same time (different arms).
I RECOMMEND YOU HAVE YOUR TDAP VACCINE (WHOOPING COUGH). I have discussed with you that newborns can contract whooping cough from people visiting the baby. In the third trimester I recommended TDAP (whooping cough vaccine) for patients to get from their family physician. Ideally, have your TDAP at 27 to 32 weeks. This allows enough time for your antibodies to cross the placenta and protect your baby. If you don't have a family physician, you can get your TDAP at any site doing ROUTINE vaccines: Ottawa Public Health Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hub.
I RECOMMEND YOU HAVE YOUR COVID-19 VACCINATION. SEE SECTION F BELOW FOR INFORMATION ON COVID VACCINATION. You can get your COVID vaccine here: Ottawa Public Health Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hub.
There is no longer any time limit between a COVID vaccine and a TDAP vaccine.
PLEASE HAVE YOUR INFLUENZA VACCINE!!! These are available in Ottawa in the fall/winter. This can be done at a pharmacy or with your family physician. You do not need a 'special' flu shot due to pregnancy.
B. IF YOU HAVE AN UPCOMING APPOINTMENT....
Initial consultations are done in person.
Where possible (and if you have no concerns), we may do a followup appointment by telephone (for example, reviewing test results).
If I assess or tell you that your appointment can be conducted over the telephone, Michelle will call you to set up an appointment (time window, phone number, email). Although your email reminder may note a specific time please realize that I can be running late or early' with telephone appointments; it is a rough approximation of your time. During your appointment please be in a quiet location, with a pen and paper, have your medications on hand and have access to the internet via your phone or computer. The phonecall may come from a private number. Please let us know if your telephone does not accept private numbers.
We may send you paperwork/requisitions by secure email either before or after your appointment. (Secure email requires a PIN that Michelle will give you by telephone when she arranges your appointment time. The PIN is all in capital letters. Please write it down in a safe spot.) If you have access to a printer, please print these forms out and take them to the lab or ultrasound clinic with you. Make sure you print out all the forms! If you don't have a printer, you can upload lab forms to Dynacare. You can also arrange to pick up the forms in person at our office (call ahead). If you have difficulty opening the email attachments, please call the office. Don't wait until your next appointment to ask...some tests are time sensitive!
For your own information and protection, we ask you to read the telephone consent form below BEFORE YOUR TELEPHONE APPOINTMENT. (There is nothing to sign; just read the link below.)
Telephone Appointment Consent
Please note we will also be spacing out appointments to minimize the number of women in the office at one time. Please do your part: confirm your email appointment reminder and be punctual for your appointment to allow the clinic to run on time. If you do not confirm your appointment it may be cancelled.
Office prenatal appointment dates (Thursdays unless otherwise stated):
October 26/30 (Monday)
November 8 (Wednesday)/15 (Wednesday)/20 (morning) 22 (afternoon)/30
December 6 (Wednesday)/14/21/28
January 4/11/18/25
February 1/8/15/22/29
If this is your first visit to the office (even if you are a patient from before), your email appointment notification will have links to paperwork that should be completed by you BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT while in your own home. Please print the forms, complete them and bring them with you to your appointment.
If your prenatal or gynecologic health changes and you feel you need an appointment earlier please call the office at 613-686-7580. If we are in clinic seeing patients, please leave a message as we may not be able to answer the phone.
C. QUEENSWAY-CARLETON HOSPITAL INFORMATION
Update on QCH Birth Unit Visitors/Labour Support as of October 14/22
THE BREASTFEEDING CLINIC IS OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY; call 613-721-4816 to book an appointment at least a day in advance. Newborns born at QCH and up to three weeks from hospital discharge are eligible with their mothers only.
D. ULTRASOUND APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
IF YOU HAVE AN ULTRASOUND AT WOMEN'S ULTRASOUND CLINIC (CLEOPATRA OR BANK STREET) SCHEDULED:
E. LAB INFORMATION
If I have requested bloodwork please do your blood tests at either a Dynacare or Life Labs location. You will need to bring a requisition(s). The requisitions are either given to you in person at your appointment or emailed to you (to print after entering your PIN if you have a printer or upload to the Dynacare site). If you do not have a printer/cannot upload to the site, please call the office to arrange to pick them up in person.
Dynacare and Life Labs have limited their locations and hours to practice social distancing. Please check the link for the latest updates and ensure your lab of choice is open (check under Find a Location on the websites below). As well, I recommend to check in on-line prior to your appointment if able to do so. This can be done from the website.
Dynacare Labs
Life Labs
F. COVID INFORMATION
Masking has returned to Queensway-Carleton Hospital effective August 28, 2023. You are required to wear a mask when in contact with a health care provider at the hospital (they will with you as well). COVID rates are increasing in Ottawa. I would recommend you consider masking in public spaces. Masks are not yet mandatory in the office.
COVID-19 VACCINATION:
The fall BOOSTER DOSE of the COVID 19 vaccine will be coming soon to Ottawa. Please watch the Ottawa Public Health website (see Section A) for further information once this becomes available.
Here is the link to book (for future):
Ottawa Public Health - BIVALENT booster
Updated NACI Statement on Bivalent Booster in Pregnancy/While Breastfeeding (September 2022)
SOGC Consensus Statement (February 1/21): Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should be offered vaccination at anytime if they are eligible and no contraindications exist. This decision is based the women’s personal values and an understanding that the risk of infection and/or morbidity from COVID-19 outweighs the theorized and undescribed risk of being vaccinated during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Women should not be precluded from vaccination based on pregnancy status or breastfeeding.
COVID-19 Science Table article on Incidence/Severity/Management of Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 (good summary page)
SOGC COVID 19 Webpage (including information on vaccination; updated links inside this portal)
I am Pregnant or Breastfeeding. Should I get the COVID vaccine? (from Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health; updated April 28/21)
Ministry of Health Info on COVID vaccination in Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
As further information is made available, I will be updating this site regularly. Please be sure to check it at least once or twice a week and before you need to engage in any medical care.
UPDATED October 20/23 @ 1003 AM: Section B (updated prenatal clinic dates); Health Information: new free prenatal class
UPDATED September 12/23 @ 0808 AM: Section B (prenatal clinic moved November 16 to 15)
UPDATED September 7/23 @ 1111 AM: Updated Health Information link - Mirena
UPDATED September 1/23 @ 1120 AM: Section F (name now changed to COVID Information; update on QCH and office masking; vaccine info)
UPDATED August 28/23 @ 1118 AM: Section B (updated prenatal clinic dates)
UPDATED August 20/23 @ 1015 AM: Section B (updated prenatal clinic dates)
UPDATED July 27/23 @ 530 PM: You may bring one (healthy) additional person to your appointment if you wish. Home page modified to remove COVID restrictions!
UPDATED July 24/23 @ 840 AM: The office is reopened. Masking is no longer required in the office. If you are sick, please reschedule your appointment.
UPDATED July 17/23 @ 1231 PM: The office is closed for vacation and will reopen on July 24/23. If you are over 20 weeks and having an obstetrical emergency or have urgent questions, please call the QCH Birth Unit at 613-721-2000 x2127. If you are less than 20 weeks pregnant, please contact your family physician or go to the QCH Emergency Department.
UPDATED June 27/23 @ 1145 AM: Section B (updated prenatal clinics); Health Care Information link - First Trimester Pregnancy Complications under Obstetrics
UPDATED May 18/23 @ 1640 PM: Health Information --> First Prenatal Package --> To Our Obstetrical Patients and What to Bring to the Hospital (QCH)
A. OFFICE INFORMATION
Masks are now optional at the office or at Queensway-Carleton Hospital if you are well. If you have any symptoms, please wear a mask.
If you are ill, please reschedule your appointment.
EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 30, 2023, FREE FLU/COVID VACCINATIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL CITIZENS OF OTTAWA AT OTTAWA PUBLIC HEALTH CLINICS (GREEN LINK BELOW) AND LOCAL PHARMACIES. Flu and COVID vaccinations may be given at the same time (different arms).
I RECOMMEND YOU HAVE YOUR TDAP VACCINE (WHOOPING COUGH). I have discussed with you that newborns can contract whooping cough from people visiting the baby. In the third trimester I recommended TDAP (whooping cough vaccine) for patients to get from their family physician. Ideally, have your TDAP at 27 to 32 weeks. This allows enough time for your antibodies to cross the placenta and protect your baby. If you don't have a family physician, you can get your TDAP at any site doing ROUTINE vaccines: Ottawa Public Health Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hub.
I RECOMMEND YOU HAVE YOUR COVID-19 VACCINATION. SEE SECTION F BELOW FOR INFORMATION ON COVID VACCINATION. You can get your COVID vaccine here: Ottawa Public Health Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hub.
There is no longer any time limit between a COVID vaccine and a TDAP vaccine.
PLEASE HAVE YOUR INFLUENZA VACCINE!!! These are available in Ottawa in the fall/winter. This can be done at a pharmacy or with your family physician. You do not need a 'special' flu shot due to pregnancy.
B. IF YOU HAVE AN UPCOMING APPOINTMENT....
Initial consultations are done in person.
Where possible (and if you have no concerns), we may do a followup appointment by telephone (for example, reviewing test results).
If I assess or tell you that your appointment can be conducted over the telephone, Michelle will call you to set up an appointment (time window, phone number, email). Although your email reminder may note a specific time please realize that I can be running late or early' with telephone appointments; it is a rough approximation of your time. During your appointment please be in a quiet location, with a pen and paper, have your medications on hand and have access to the internet via your phone or computer. The phonecall may come from a private number. Please let us know if your telephone does not accept private numbers.
We may send you paperwork/requisitions by secure email either before or after your appointment. (Secure email requires a PIN that Michelle will give you by telephone when she arranges your appointment time. The PIN is all in capital letters. Please write it down in a safe spot.) If you have access to a printer, please print these forms out and take them to the lab or ultrasound clinic with you. Make sure you print out all the forms! If you don't have a printer, you can upload lab forms to Dynacare. You can also arrange to pick up the forms in person at our office (call ahead). If you have difficulty opening the email attachments, please call the office. Don't wait until your next appointment to ask...some tests are time sensitive!
For your own information and protection, we ask you to read the telephone consent form below BEFORE YOUR TELEPHONE APPOINTMENT. (There is nothing to sign; just read the link below.)
Telephone Appointment Consent
Please note we will also be spacing out appointments to minimize the number of women in the office at one time. Please do your part: confirm your email appointment reminder and be punctual for your appointment to allow the clinic to run on time. If you do not confirm your appointment it may be cancelled.
Office prenatal appointment dates (Thursdays unless otherwise stated):
October 26/30 (Monday)
November 8 (Wednesday)/15 (Wednesday)/20 (morning) 22 (afternoon)/30
December 6 (Wednesday)/14/21/28
January 4/11/18/25
February 1/8/15/22/29
If this is your first visit to the office (even if you are a patient from before), your email appointment notification will have links to paperwork that should be completed by you BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT while in your own home. Please print the forms, complete them and bring them with you to your appointment.
If your prenatal or gynecologic health changes and you feel you need an appointment earlier please call the office at 613-686-7580. If we are in clinic seeing patients, please leave a message as we may not be able to answer the phone.
C. QUEENSWAY-CARLETON HOSPITAL INFORMATION
Update on QCH Birth Unit Visitors/Labour Support as of October 14/22
THE BREASTFEEDING CLINIC IS OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY; call 613-721-4816 to book an appointment at least a day in advance. Newborns born at QCH and up to three weeks from hospital discharge are eligible with their mothers only.
D. ULTRASOUND APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
IF YOU HAVE AN ULTRASOUND AT WOMEN'S ULTRASOUND CLINIC (CLEOPATRA OR BANK STREET) SCHEDULED:
- If you are booking an obstetrical (pregnancy) ultrasound for dating and not planning to do eFTS (genetic) screening, book it at least 8 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period. This will limit the need for repeat scanning appointments due to 'it being too early' for an ultrasound.
- If you are planning to do eFTS (genetic screening), book your first ultrasound at 11 1/2 weeks. This way one ultrasound appointment can confirm your dates and do the measurements needed for eFTS.
- If you are booking an obstetrical (pregnancy) ultrasound for anatomy, book it at 20 weeks. This will limit the need for repeat scanning appointments due to inability to see all the anatomy properly.
- YOU MUST BRING YOUR ULTRASOUND REQUISITION (emailed to you/given to you in person) to your appointment.
E. LAB INFORMATION
If I have requested bloodwork please do your blood tests at either a Dynacare or Life Labs location. You will need to bring a requisition(s). The requisitions are either given to you in person at your appointment or emailed to you (to print after entering your PIN if you have a printer or upload to the Dynacare site). If you do not have a printer/cannot upload to the site, please call the office to arrange to pick them up in person.
Dynacare and Life Labs have limited their locations and hours to practice social distancing. Please check the link for the latest updates and ensure your lab of choice is open (check under Find a Location on the websites below). As well, I recommend to check in on-line prior to your appointment if able to do so. This can be done from the website.
Dynacare Labs
Life Labs
F. COVID INFORMATION
Masking has returned to Queensway-Carleton Hospital effective August 28, 2023. You are required to wear a mask when in contact with a health care provider at the hospital (they will with you as well). COVID rates are increasing in Ottawa. I would recommend you consider masking in public spaces. Masks are not yet mandatory in the office.
COVID-19 VACCINATION:
The fall BOOSTER DOSE of the COVID 19 vaccine will be coming soon to Ottawa. Please watch the Ottawa Public Health website (see Section A) for further information once this becomes available.
Here is the link to book (for future):
Ottawa Public Health - BIVALENT booster
Updated NACI Statement on Bivalent Booster in Pregnancy/While Breastfeeding (September 2022)
SOGC Consensus Statement (February 1/21): Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should be offered vaccination at anytime if they are eligible and no contraindications exist. This decision is based the women’s personal values and an understanding that the risk of infection and/or morbidity from COVID-19 outweighs the theorized and undescribed risk of being vaccinated during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Women should not be precluded from vaccination based on pregnancy status or breastfeeding.
COVID-19 Science Table article on Incidence/Severity/Management of Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 (good summary page)
SOGC COVID 19 Webpage (including information on vaccination; updated links inside this portal)
I am Pregnant or Breastfeeding. Should I get the COVID vaccine? (from Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health; updated April 28/21)
Ministry of Health Info on COVID vaccination in Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
As further information is made available, I will be updating this site regularly. Please be sure to check it at least once or twice a week and before you need to engage in any medical care.
BELOW HERE IS THE CONTENT OF OUR ORIGINAL (PRE-COVID) HOME PAGE:
WELCOME!
The goal of this site is to more effectively and efficiently communicate with patients while keeping you better informed about your health. This site presents general health information and is not meant to replace a consultation. Please print and bring along any information you wish to discuss to your next appointment.
TO ALL PATIENTS - PLEASE BE SURE TO READ THE OFFICE POLICIES SECTION PRIOR TO YOUR VISIT. (Do not bring any food or drink into the office due to risk of allergies and to maintain a clean environment; please arrive 15 minutes prior to your first appointment; note our 48 business hour cancellation policy for all appointments; no strollers due to space limitations). Thank you for your assistance to keep the office clean for everyone and running smoothly.
If you are feeling ill (ie with symptoms of a cold) please reschedule your appointment. As well, if your child is home sick with you on the day of your appointment, please reschedule and don't bring your ill child to the clinic. 'Colds' can actually be due to viruses that can cause fetal complications. Not all pregnant women are immune to these viruses and exposure could potentially cause harm. Just as you would not wish to become ill from someone 'sick at the doctor's office' please treat others with the same respect.
For Health Information, please click on the Health Information tab in the upper right hand corner.
For QCH phone number and "when to go to the hospital" please click on the Dr Lal Medical Clinic tab in the upper right hand corner and then follow the links to Other Information.
WELCOME!
The goal of this site is to more effectively and efficiently communicate with patients while keeping you better informed about your health. This site presents general health information and is not meant to replace a consultation. Please print and bring along any information you wish to discuss to your next appointment.
TO ALL PATIENTS - PLEASE BE SURE TO READ THE OFFICE POLICIES SECTION PRIOR TO YOUR VISIT. (Do not bring any food or drink into the office due to risk of allergies and to maintain a clean environment; please arrive 15 minutes prior to your first appointment; note our 48 business hour cancellation policy for all appointments; no strollers due to space limitations). Thank you for your assistance to keep the office clean for everyone and running smoothly.
If you are feeling ill (ie with symptoms of a cold) please reschedule your appointment. As well, if your child is home sick with you on the day of your appointment, please reschedule and don't bring your ill child to the clinic. 'Colds' can actually be due to viruses that can cause fetal complications. Not all pregnant women are immune to these viruses and exposure could potentially cause harm. Just as you would not wish to become ill from someone 'sick at the doctor's office' please treat others with the same respect.
For Health Information, please click on the Health Information tab in the upper right hand corner.
For QCH phone number and "when to go to the hospital" please click on the Dr Lal Medical Clinic tab in the upper right hand corner and then follow the links to Other Information.
News and Alerts Clinic Hours of Operation
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Pregnant patients please note:
THERE IS A PUBLIC WASHROOM ON THE 3RD FLOOR OF THE OFFICE. For urine specimens required in prenatal clinic, you are welcome to use the public washroom prior to your appointment. Alternatively, feel free to take a urine container home, "fill it enroute" on the day of your appointment and bring it in. If you are accessing the Birth Unit at QCH between 11 pm and 6 am, please enter the hospital through the Emergency Department doors until further notice. The main admitting doors are locked from 11 pm to 6 am. CHANGES TO VISITING POLICY - BIRTH UNIT QCH: Please see the link under Health Information tab (QCH Mother Baby Unit Visiting Hours) or click on the link below. http://www.qch.on.ca/Home.aspx?PageID=275&mid=_ctl0_MainMenu__ctl1-menuItem006-subMenu-menuItem003-subMenu-menuItem002 Pregnant past the first trimester? Please see your Family Physician for your flu shot or click on the link below for free flu shot clinics offered by the City of Ottawa. http://ottawa.ca/en/residents/public-health/flu-clinics |
Monday 830 to 400 Tuesday 830 to 400 Wednesday 830 to 400 Thursday 830 to 400 Friday 830 to 1200 Saturday Closed Sunday Closed Please note that the office is closed for lunch between 12-1 M-Th. I am taking new patients Please note the clinic can be reached during the above hours, however clinic times are subject to Dr. Lal's hospital, on-call and OR schedule. Please click "Dr. Lal Medical Clinic" if you wish to find more information on my clinic, on the upper right of the website. |