PREGNANCY/

ANTENATAL CARe

We provide antenatal care across a series of appointments. At each appointment, you will see a midwife and me, your obstetrician, who will monitor your health and that of your baby. We will perform the necessary scans and give you the opportunity to discuss any problems or concerns that you may have as they arise.

Because we really get to know you over the course of your pregnancy, we are able to offer a specialised continuity of care that carries over into your labour, delivery and postnatal care.

FREQUENCY OF APPOINTMENTS

We design your antenatal care plan to suit your individual needs and risk factors, but generally speaking, you will come in every four to six weeks at the start of your pregnancy (up to 28 weeks gestation).

After 28 weeks, the frequency of visits increases to every two to three weeks (or possibly more frequently if needed).

If it is your first pregnancy, I may see you every week from 36 weeks.

COMMON TESTS

Every pregnancy is different. Depending on your personal medical history and how things are progressing during your pregnancy, we may perform some of the following tests:

Iron Studies
Full Blood Count
Infection Screening (rubella, hepatitis, syphilis, HIV)
Blood Group and Antibodies Screen
Thyroid Function
Vitamin D
Gestational Diabetes
Group B Streptococcus Screening
Midstream Urine and Chlamydia
Ultrasound

ULTRASOUND CHECKS

You will see your baby on ultrasound at every appointment to measure growth, wellbeing, position and movement. When baby is obliging, you will receive a 3D ultrasound picture from me. There are also a few more detailed ultrasound checks performed throughout your pregnancy by specialist obstetric ultrasonologists, including:

Early Foetal Anatomy (at 13 weeks) plays an important role in the early detection of potential abnormalities. This scan is the first detailed check of your baby’s anatomy.
Anatomy Ultrasound, also known as the “morphology ultrasound”, is performed by ultrasound specialists at around 19 weeks and serves to detect any potential developmental abnormalities. It also checks the position of your placenta and the condition of your amniotic fluid and allows us to assess your baby’s development. It will measure cervical length to help us predict and prevent preterm birth.