Antenatal care

Booking in visit

Once you are pregnant your GP will refer you to an obstetrician for your first appointment. Your obstetrician or your midwife will take your medical and family history, and perform an examination to identify any factors relevant to your pregnancy.

There are number of tests recommended during your pregnancy:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Ultrasounds
• Genetic tests

You will also obtain information on diet, food preparation, dietary supplements and vitamins, exercise during pregnancy and any other lifestyle factors that may affect you and your baby’s health.

Even though pregnancy is a natural process and most women have no problems, sometimes complications occur. Therefore further appointments will be scheduled for you during which your wellbeing and that of your baby will be assessed, and any conditions relevant to your pregnancy will be monitored. Sometimes additional investigations and tests will be recommended.

Appointments

Appointments are typically scheduled every 4 weeks until the 32nd week of pregnancy, 2 weekly appointments until the 36th week and then weekly appointments until the birth of your baby. You will have the opportunity to discuss birthing process. Whilst most women deliver vaginally, there are conditions which preclude vaginal delivery and a caesarean section is indicated.
If needed, or if you simply elect to have a caesarean section we generally schedule the procedure between 39 and 40 completed weeks of pregnancy.
Important information that you should inform your obstetrician or midwife any time during your pregnancy:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Leakage of water
• Abdominal pain
• Decreased baby movements
• Abdominal trauma

Feel free to ring the clinic should you have any questions or concerns and are unable to wait for your scheduled appointment.

Further information about antenatal care: