Navigating Labour and Delivery in Canada as a Non-Canadian Patient: What You Need to Know Without an OHIP Card

Update on Hospital Payment System – Effective September 29, 2025 Beginning September 29, 2025 , the hospital has introduced a new payment system for all private non-insured patients delivering in Canada. Below are the key details explained in a question-and-answer format . Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ❓ What is the new hospital deposit? The hospital now requires a $20,000 CAD deposit  (previously $9,000). This is not an increase in overall cost  — it is simply a higher deposit required upfront. All hospital costs (room, delivery, anesthesia, paediatrics, surgical assist, triage visits , etc.) are deducted from this amount. Any unused portion is refunded after delivery (for example, if you have a vaginal delivery without epidural and a short hospital stay). ❓ What are the clinic fees? Antenatal Care Fee:   $4,000 CAD – Cash Only (lump sum) Covers all antenatal appointments and postpartum follow-up visits. An official receipt for tax and insurance purposes  will be provided Initial Booking Fee:   $200 CAD (as per usual) Paid before booking your first appointment via credit card/online payment. ❓ What happens at my first visit? You will attend your first appointment at the clinic . Within a few days, you must go to the hospital to register and pay the $20,000 deposit . ❓ Do I still have to pay separately for other services? No. With this new system, you will not  need to pay separately for: Anesthesia Pediatrics Surgical assistance Triage visits Hospital fees All of these are included in the hospital deposit. ❓ What if I do not agree with this payment structure? You are free to consider other hospitals in the area or elsewhere in Canada. If the $4,000 cash-only antenatal care fee  does not suit your needs, you may explore care with other physicians who charge on a per-visit basis. 📌 For questions or further details, please contact our office. dr.shehata.office@mackenziehealth.ca 💳 Payment Breakdown (Effective Sept 29, 2025) Payment Amount Notes Hospital Deposit $20,000 CAD Covers room, delivery, anesthesia, pediatrics, surgical assist, triage visits, hospital fees . Unused portion refunded  after delivery. Antenatal Care Fee $4,000 CAD Cash only (lump sum) . Covers antenatal + postpartum visits. Official receipt provided  for tax/insurance. Booking Fee $200 CAD Paid at booking. ✅ No separate payments  needed for anesthesia, paediatrics, surgical assistance, triage visits, or hospital fees. ✅ Refunds available  if hospital costs are less than the deposit. ✅ Flexibility : If this payment structure does not suit your needs, you may consider other hospitals or physicians. Please check the following PDF created by the hospital for the new system Dr. Fady Shehata  MBBCh./M.Sc./FRCSC General Obstetrician, Gynecologist, and UrogynecologistFemale Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgeon Address:  204-2640 Rutherford Road, Vaughan, Ontario L4K 0H1 Tel:  647-250-7322        Fax: 1-855-955-3905 Email: dr.shehata.office@mackenziehealth.ca

Your Pregnancy Care Timeline

We have made it easier to understand the follow up needed in your pregnancy. Your pregnancy care timeline Follow Ups: Follow up appointments are usually every 4 weeks until you reach 28 weeks gestation, then every two weeks until 36 weeks gestation, then every week until delivery. You may request an extra follow up appointment any time as needed by calling our clinic or requesting a follow up appointment online by clicking here . Estimated Delivery Date: Your estimated date of delivery will be calculated after your first trimester ultrasound. This is a date that corresponds to 40 weeks gestation and does not change throughout the pregnancy. Ultrasounds: An ultrasound to determine your estimated date of delivery is usually requested in your first trimester (Dating ultrasound). To assess fetal anatomy, an anatomy ultrasound is performed between 18-20 weeks gestation. An additional ultrasound for fetal growth assessment may be required around 30 weeks gestation. Additional or more frequent ultrasounds may be requested throughout the pregnancy for various other monitoring reasons. Screening Screening in pregnancy is done to evaluate the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. This consists of a combination of blood work and an ultrasound between 11 and 13.6 weeks. Apps and pregnancy trackers There are several apps you may use to track your pregnancy and learn more information about pregnancy care. We recommend the OMama website and app as a trusted resource. You may find it by clicking on this link www.omama.com