WEST CARLETON – Women in West Carleton, Lanark County and the Ottawa Valley now have a new resource to support their low-risk pregnancy care.

The Ottawa Valley Family Medicine Obstetrics team (FMOB) has launched a new website, www.ottawavalleyfmob.ca, which provides a complete overview of the program, as well as a variety of resources for families.

“We wanted to create a website that provided reliable and accurate information to women in our community,” Dr. Julie Stewardson said. “We also wanted to increase awareness of care options for pregnant women in our region and provide them the information they needed to advocate for their care.”

Members of the FMOB team have privileges at Almonte General Hospital (AGH). Patients benefit from a family medicine philosophy focused on whole person care, including access to a social worker and dietitian.

The team includes Stewardson, Dr. Ursula McGarry, Dr. Amy Toderian, and administrative assistant Sandy Guppy. The group is being supported by Dr. Nathalie Slaney for four months, from January to the end of April. These family physicians have specialty training in family medicine as well as obstetrics. Together, they have 48 years of cumulative experience delivering babies. The team is also skilled in newborn care and provide care for moms and newborns at delivery and in the first days of life.

AGH is the only rural hospital in this region providing a full range of low-risk obstetrical services, including 24/7 coverage by an obstetrician and pain management services. The multidisciplinary team includes obstetrician/gynecologists, family physicians, midwives, specially- trained nurses and anesthetists. The unit has five private postpartum rooms with their own washroom and shower, two labour and delivery rooms, showers and an operating room for cesarian sections. The diagnostic imaging team offers a full range of advanced ultrasound services and patients can book ultrasound appointments by calling 613-256-2514 ext. 2114. For details, please visit the website at www.agh-fvm.com.