Right From The Start - Prenatal Registration and Services

Family / Parenting, Healthcare Providers, Pregnancy Care, and Public Health

Provided by Island Health

Provides support for all pregnant people and new parents, their babies, children and families.
Created for pregnant people and new parents, Island Health's Right from the Start program recognizes that patients are the experts on their own lives. Nurses are available by phone or in-person at Island Health public health units across the region, to listen and understand what is important for the patient in order to offer support for the pregnancy and beyond, right from the start.

Services & Resources Upon Referral
  • Prenatal Services: Identify topics important during pregnancy such as nutrition, lifestyle factors, community support, and the patient's hope for their pregnancy and birthing process. This includes information about getting ready for the arrival of the baby including what to expect when feeding and caring for the newborn.
  • Postpartum Support: Being at home with a new baby can be an emotional time, so Right From The Start offers physical and emotional support to new parents and their babies. This includes infant feeding, in addition to the well-being and care for both the infant and parent(s).
  • Breastfeeding Support: Call or come by for clinic-based baby feeding assessments and breastfeeding support.
  • Family and Community Health: Supports the patient in locating services in the community that could be helpful during pregnancy, including transportation, housing and nutritional support. The patient will be provided with referrals to additional health and community resources as needed.
  • Child Health Clinics and Immunization: Education about child heath, and how to access immunizations for infants starting at two months of age.
  • Baby's Best Chance: Parents' Handbook of Pregnancy and Baby Care can be picked-up for free at any Public Health Unit. Learn more about this resource HERE.
  • Nurse-Family Partnership: A free public health program for women 24 years or younger having their first baby, and ensures both parent and baby receive support during pregnancy and after the child is born, up to two years of age. The nurse provides a safe space to ask questions, explore topics related to pregnancy, childbirth and child development, and any other topic of concern or interest. If one does not meet the eligibility criteria, the nurse/public health unit will suggest next steps and other available programs.

How to Access
  • Complete the following online form: Right From The Start (RFTS) - Prenatal Registration for all Pregnant People. Be sure to click "Submit" at the end of the form to ensure registration is successfully received.
  • The registration form can be completed by the patient, their healthcare provider, or by Public Health Unit staff
  • Local Health Units can provide assistance in completing the prenatal registration; call or locate one HERE.
  • Please note that registration is now is exclusively online; paper, email, or fax registrations are no longer accepted.
  • Once the registration is received, a public health nurse will phone the patient directly to discuss next steps, including supports and available public health services patient to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

Location finder: https://www.islandhealth.ca/our...

Website: https://www.islandhealth.ca/our...

Wheelchair accessible.

Cost: No cost

Referral options:

  • Self-referral
  • Physician or nurse practitioner referral
  • Public Health Unit referral
Referral Forms
Brochures and Info
Associated Programs/Services

Also offered by Island Health:

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Availability

Service area: Island Health Area + show cities

Service area cities: Alert Bay, Bamfield, Black Creek, Brentwood Bay, Campbell River, Cathedral Grove, Chemainus, Cobble Hill, Comox, Coombs, Cortes Island, Courtenay, Cumberland, Deep Bay, Denman Island, Duncan, Fanny Bay, Gabriola Island, Galiano Island, Gold River, Hornby Island, Horne Lake, Kyuquot, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Langford, Lantzville, Long Beach, Mayne Island, Merville, Mill Bay, Nanaimo, Nanoose Bay, Nitinaht, North Saanich, Parksville, Pender Island, Penelakut Island, Port Alberni, Port Alice, Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Quadra Island, Qualicum Beach, Quathiaski Cove, Saanich, Saanichton, Salt Spring Island, Saturna Island, Sayward, Shawnigan Lake, Sidney, Sointula, Sooke, Tahsis, Tofino, Ucluelet, and Victoria

Service Types Provided
Family / Parenting
Healthcare Providers
Pregnancy Care
Public Health
Ways to Access
  • Provided 1:1 in-person
  • Provided at multiple locations
  • Provided by phone

The listing of this service in Pathways is not a recommendation or endorsement by Pathways.

Pathways does not provide medical advice. If you have an emergency please call 9-1-1. If you require assistance navigating services please call 8-1-1.

For general inquiries or for assistance, please email us:

community-services@pathwaysbc.ca

If you are requesting clinical access to medical Pathways, please provide the following information via the email above:

  1. First Name
  2. Last Name
  3. Email
  4. In which city/town do you work?
  5. What is your role? E.g. Family Physician, Office Staff, Medical Resident
  6. Employer Name (for office staff)
  7. Office Phone

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