Obstetrics
I prefer to see you for the first time at around 8 weeks gestation to discuss care plan for your pregnancy and any early/lifestyle intervention necessary from early stage of pregnancy. A detailed history will be taken. Internal examination is not routine at antenatal visit unless clinically required. An ultrasound is usually performed.
It is helpful if you have the following:
Subsequent visits will be approximately at 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 20 weeks, 24 weeks, 28 weeks, 32 weeks, 34 weeks, 36 weeks, 38 weeks and weekly thereafter. This could vary depending on your unique circumstances.
I will discuss your plan and mode of delivery with you. With a few exceptions, I will attend, assess and deliver your baby/babies. I do share weekend on-calls with other experienced obstetricians. You will be notified well in advanced on my availability around your due date.
All deliveries will be performed at NorthWest Hospital. North West Hospital is equipped to care for babies over 32 weeks gestation.
We would encourage you and your partner to learn as much as possible about your pregnancy and childbirth. North West Private Hospital does provide one on one education sessions conducted by midwives at 28 and 36 weeks. This is strongly encouraged. A good book is What to Expect When You’re Expecting. You can purchase this online from Book Depository, Amazon or at any good bookstore.
It is normal to put between 10 and 12 kilograms during pregnancy. Excessive or minimal weight change does not necessarily indicate a problem with the baby.
It is advisable to take folic acid while you are trying to conceive and up to 20 weeks.
It is important to maintain a generally healthy lifestyle with gentle, regular exercise. Walking, swimming and yoga are good.
Do not hesitate to contact Min or the labour ward staff in the event of any of the following:
Please call the office on 07 33536855. Alternatively, contact the North West Private Hospital labour ward on 07 3246 3163.
If you have a non-obstetric problem such as asthma, a respiratory tract infection or gastroenteritis please see your General Practitioner or Emergency Centre in the usual way unless there are particular obstetric concerns.
The following medications are safe to take during your pregnancy unless you are previously allergic to it:
Most women stay for four days maximum with a vaginal birth and five days maximum with a caesarean. This convention has been established by arrangements made between the hospitals and health insurers. Many women find it difficult to comply with these arrangements particularly if they deliver on a Monday afternoon and are expected to leave on the Thursday morning for example. You may wish to engage the services of a lactation consultant who can help you with the breast feeding. Lists of lactation consultants will be supplied to you at the hospital.
Some women choose to have their umbilical cord blood stored. This blood is drained from the placenta after the baby is born. It can be used as a source for bone marrow cells if your child should tragically develop leukemia or a similar cancer. The probability of needing this is around 1 in 2700. Storage costs are approximately $4000. Once the blood is stored it is only available to your family. Siblings have a 1 in 5 chance of being compatible if they should need a bone marrow transplant at a later date.
It is conventional to have your baby checked by a specialist Paediatrician when he/she is born. The Paediatrician will also supervise the baby’s neonatal care and arrange for a six week check-up. I am happy to arrange a Paediatrician of your choice but otherwise refer your baby to the most suitable person available at the time.
One in five women develops mastitis. This presents as a red tender breast and often a raging fever. Keep breastfeeding and seek antibiotics as soon as possible.
Please make an appointment for a six week postnatal visit. Contraception will be discussed at this visit.
We have gathered the below useful links that may help answer your questions or provide you further information.
Please note the content in the guides below are not intended or recommended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Queensland Health now has a phone line 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for all Queenslanders to help take the worry out of health concerns.
Patient information: Avoiding infections in pregnancy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient information: Down syndrome (Beyond the Basics)
Patient information: Gestational diabetes mellitus (Beyond the Basics)
Patient information: C-section (cesarean delivery) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient information: Preeclampsia (Beyond the Basics)
Patient information: Preterm labor (Beyond the Basics)
Patient information: Breastfeeding guide (Beyond the Basics)
www.healthdirect.gov.au/pregnancy
sma.org.au/resources-advice/policies-guidelines/active-women
Your Health Fund will be directly billed for all in-patient care. This includes your delivery and all visits in hospital before and after the birth.
When budgeting for your birth please also consider the possibility of needing an Anaesthetist for an epidural or caesarean and Paediatrician to care for your baby.
*NOTE: Contact our practice for any fee queries.
