Children, pregnancy & seniors
Care for children, pregnancy, and senior newcomers.
Where to take your sick child: a newcomer parent's decision guideFever, cough, diarrhea. ER or clinic? A 3-step decision, the common cases mapped to the right place, what to bring, and how to catch up on vaccinations.Having a baby in Metro Vancouver: who does prenatal care, are midwives free, and what if you have no family doctorYour first step after a positive test is not finding a family doctor. In BC, prenatal care is led by one of three: a midwife, a family doctor who does obstetrics, or an obstetrician, and MSP pays for one of them. How each works, the key checkup dates, and the MSP waiting period newcomers must plan around.Pregnancy care in BC: choosing a midwife, family doctor or obstetrician, and the MSP wait periodPrenatal care in BC can be led by a midwife, a family doctor or an obstetrician, and MSP pays for one. Finding care without a family doctor, screening dates, and the MSP wait-period cost risk.RSV protection for babies in BC: who gets it free, and the pregnancy vaccineBC's 2026-27 infant RSV antibody is limited to higher-risk babies, and the pregnancy RSV vaccine is not publicly funded. Who qualifies, vaccine timing, and free vaccination for adults 75 and over.Healthcare for senior newcomers in BC: insurance, medications, and home careVisiting on a super visa and landing as an immigrant are two completely different tracks to healthcare. plus saving on prescriptions, ambulance bills, home care, and extra help for low-income seniors.Does a child's illness count as sick leave? Types of leave for BC employeesA child's illness is not paid sick leave in BC; it falls under unpaid family responsibility leave. A summary of sick leave, family leaves and sick-note rules under the Employment Standards Act.