Preparing for your First Gynecology/Obstetric Appointment
Welcome to our clinic! To help your first visit run smoothly, please review the information below:
Before you arrive
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Please bring your valid Saskatchewan Health Card.
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You will receive electronic forms prior to your visit. If you’re unable to complete them ahead of time, please arrive at least 15 minutes early to fill out clinic paperwork.
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If you arrive late, your appointment may need to be rescheduled to respect the clinic schedule.
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A no-show fee applies for missed appointments.
What to expect
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You will meet one of our Gynecologists/Obstetricians: Dr. Grenier, Dr. Ng, Dr. Thiel or Dr. Topping.
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Our clinic is a teaching site. You may also be seen by a resident or medical student as part of your visit. This helps us assess new patients sooner while supporting medical education.
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Your doctor will likely recommend a physical examination, which may include a pelvic exam. Please see below for more information about what a pelvic exam entails.
Clinic Policies
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Please sanitize your hands upon entry.
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If you are feeling unwell or have symptoms suggestive of a contagious illness, please contact us before coming in. We may provide you with a mask during your appointment.
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We aim to maintain a safe, respectful, and efficient environment for all patients. If our clinic policies do not meet your needs, we are happy to assist in transferring your care elsewhere.
Details
Our goal is to create a welcoming and safe environment where you can have appropriate gynecologic examinations and care while feeling comfortable and supported. Your appointment will start with meeting your doctor and discussing the reason for your appointment as well as your past medical history.
A pelvic examination is an important part of a gynecologic consultation; however, please know that you can decline the exam or ask to stop at any time during the exam. Pelvic examination allows the gynecologist to see and feel any abnormalities on the outside skin of the vulva as well as within the vagina, on the cervix, and in the area of the pelvis around the uterus and ovaries. You will be asked to remove clothing below the waist and cover with a drape. You will lie on an examination table with foot rests. We use a tool called a speculum to look inside the vagina. This is a device that is inserted with water or lubricant, and it has two sides that push on the walls of the vagina to make space and allow for visualization. An examination with two gloved, lubricated fingers inside the vagina and another hand placed above your pubic bone can allow us to feel for the size/shape of your pelvic organs as well as any abnormal nodules, ovarian masses, or areas of pain.
You do not need to do anything special to prepare for your appointment – come as you are! You do not need to groom your pubic hair for your pelvic exam. A pelvic exam can still be done if you have your period. Although you may feel pressure during the examination, it should not be painful. Please tell us if something hurts. You can ask us to stop if you are in pain or uncomfortable. Let us know if you need something explained in more detail.
Sometimes the gynecologist will suggest tests (for example, pap smear screening for cervical cancer, testing for infection, or a biopsy). These will be discussed with you before they are performed.