Whether you are starting to plan for a family or are already pregnant, you’re in expert hands with SRMG. Our specialist GP Obstetricians have advanced training in family medicine and obstetric care.
At SRMG it is our privilege to look after you throughout your pregnancy, labour, birth and beyond.
Our GP Obstetricians provide a comprehensive maternity and newborn service both from our rooms and at the Albany Health Campus.
We continue to invest in equipment to provide high quality care to our pregnant patients, including ultrasound machines to view your baby and CTG and Doppler machines to monitor your baby’s heart rate throughout your preganancy.
So, you are thinking about trying to get pregnant? Whilst you can’t plan for everything, preparing for a healthy pregnancy includes taking some time to consider your own health. Take the opportunity to talk to your GP or book in with one of our GP Obstetricians for a Pre-Pregnancy Health check.
At your first antenatal visit, your GP will do a thorough check up and organise antenatal blood tests. We suggest, if not already doing so, that you commence folic acid and iodine supplements and we will also discuss delivery options.
During the first visit we will also discuss the first trimester screen so you can fully understand your options and make an informed decision as to whether you wish to pursue this. It is important that the right decision for you is reached and our doctors are trained to assist you in this.
The first trimester screen is a combination of a blood test and ultrasound scan performed between 9 and 12 weeks which can estimate a mother’s risk of having a baby with a chromosomal abnormality. It is not a diagnostic test. If interested, women will have a blood test to measure amounts of certain hormones in the blood ideally at approximately 10 weeks. They will also have an ultrasound scan done at approximately 12 weeks which measures the thickness behind the baby’s neck
to estimate the risk of having a baby with down syndrome and other rarer chromosomal abnormalities. The risk is worked out as a ratio e.g 1:1500 would be considered low risk, anything greater than 1:300 is considered high risk. If the first trimester screen comes back as high risk further testing is recommended for diagnosis. At SRMG our doctors can discuss these tests and their implications in more detail during your first antenatal visit.
The level of care you will need during pregnancy can depend on many factors. Our GP Obstetricians will discuss your circumstances with you at your first visit and will make a plan with you based on your individual needs.
If you know you are pregnant, please let our receptionist know when you are booking your first pregnancy consult. This will allow us to schedule some extra time with the doctor.
Some of the things that will be taken into consideration include:
Expecting parents can go through a range of potentially conflicting feelings and emotions. There is joy, happiness and excitement, but also uncertainty and nervousness. On top of this, there are physical changes to get used to and other potentially stressful adjustments to be made. So it is no wonder that this can be a vulnerable time for many expecting mums and dads.
Antenatal anxiety and depression are common for both women and men during pregnancy.
If you are experiencing symptoms of antenatal anxiety or depression or perhaps you are just confused about what you are feeling, it is important to seek help as early as you can. Remember, these feelings are normal, it is treatable and you will be able to feel better.
There are a number of risk factors making some women and men more vulnerable to antenatal anxiety and depression. These include:
In most instances the GP Obstetrician who looks after you through your pregnancy will deliver your baby. In some instances this may not always be possible.
At SRMG we have a team of dedicated GP Obstetricians who provide cover for each other. This means that should your GP Obstetrician not be available you will still be cared for by one of our team.
This is a wonderful and often busy time when you and your loved ones get the opportunity to meet and get to know your baby. It is also important to be mindful that birth takes a physical toll on your body, so take the time to recover from the birth of your baby. Your body and your baby will benefit.
Your GP Obstetrician will continue to be available to provide care for you and your baby in the weeks following the birth. If all is going well with you and your baby a routine follow up between 6-8 weeks is highly recommended.
Your GP Obstetrician will want to see you and your baby at approximately six weeks after you give birth to check on your recovery from pregnancy and birth.
This is a good time to ask questions about your labour and delivery, discuss how you are doing emotionally and address your needs going forward.
You may also still be dealing with some pregnancy or childbirth related aches and pains and have some questions about how your body has changed, breastfeeding, birth control, exercise, sex, and work.
The 6 week check up for your baby is the perfect time to give them their first immunisations, the doctor will also give your baby a top to toe medical examination including:
When booking the 6 week check up, please let our receptionists know so they can allow sufficient time for this appointment.
