Connecting Care - Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network

Obstetrical Care
Riley Park Maternity
Clinic supports mothers
in post-natal care
Having a baby changes
your life in so many
ways.
The Calgary Foothills Primary
Care Network’s Riley Park Maternity
Clinic (formally the Obstetrics
Centre) aims to support patients in
northwest Calgary through each
step. Comprised of four obstetrics
clinics, the clinic goes beyond basic
medical care to provide support
in mental health issues, lactation,
prenatal classes and social services.
Through this approach, patients
receive comprehensive care
from pregnancy all the way
to the first few weeks of
motherhood.
Paola Ulloa, who was
referred to the Riley Park
Maternity Clinic by her
family doctor, gave birth to
a healthy girl on November
13, 2009. Since this was her
second child, she thought
she had it all under control
but soon realized she’d
forgotten some of the
basics, like breastfeeding.
Fortunately, Paola was able
to meet with a lactation
consultant available
through a partnership with
the Riley Park Maternity
Clinic. “I met with Dr.
Woolgar, who helped me
with breastfeeding my first
daughter. [She] exudes
12 Connecting Care
confidence, which boosts mine, so
I’m so glad I was able to meet with
her again.”
Dr. Mary-Jo Woolgar has been
a physician for 16 years. Now as
a Lactation Consultant, her past
experience with obstetrical care and
deliveries means she’s familiar with
the whole process. “I really enjoy
what I do because I can almost
always help fix the problem. Often,
Mom and Dad come in unhappy and
worried. But they all leave happy,”
she says with a smile.
“There’s such a wealth of
information here,” says Paola, when
asked about her experience with staff
at the clinic. “Dr. Woolgar is great –
and the whole staff here too. It’s very
empowering to have a whole group
of experienced professionals back
you up. Their support [has been]
tremendous.”
Patients can self refer to the clinic,
or be referred by their family doctor.
For more information, see page 25. q
By Kavi Mohan