Pre-Pregnancy Consultation

Pre-pregnancy care is an important step in ensuring a healthy journey to parenthood. Rachel recommends a pre-pregnancy consultation to any couple planning a pregnancy within the next 6-12 months. Your GP will be able to provide you with a referral for this appointment.

At this optional consultation, Rachel will review any previous obstetric and gynaecological history, assess your overall health, ensure optimal management of any pre-existing medical conditions, and ensure that your vaccinations are up-to-date. She will discuss adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle and ensure that you are taking appropriate pregnancy supplements.

This is also an excellent opportunity to discuss genetic carrier screening.

Pregnancy Care

It is now time to begin the very exciting journey to parenthood! Your initial pregnancy appointment will give you the opportunity to get to know Rachel and together, create a plan for the remainder of your pregnancy. Rachel looks forward to answering any questions you may have. Please ensure you bring the following to your initial appointment:

  • A referral from your GP or specialist

  • Recent blood test or imaging results

  • Medicare and health insurance details

The diagram below outlines a general pregnancy timeline, detailing the schedule of appointments, ultrasounds, and pathology tests you can expect. Your specific care will be tailored to your individual needs, which may involve more frequent visits and additional investigations.

Appointments

Your first visit will generally take place between 6 to 8 weeks gestation. You will then have regular appointments with Rachel as seen in the diagram above. These appointments increase in frequency as you near the end of your pregnancy. Please feel free to use these appointments to ask any questions that you may have. Your partner/support person is more than welcome to attend these appointments with you.

Investigations

Your GP will have arranged your early routine blood tests and Rachel will review these carefully. You will have further routine blood tests at around 28 weeks, and this will include the glucose tolerance test (GTT) to check for gestational diabetes. At 36 weeks, you will have more routine blood tests in preparation for delivery.

At 36 weeks, you will also have a GBS swab. The GBS swab is a vaginal swab to check for a bacteria called Group B Streptococcus. GBS is a common bacteria found in the vagina in about 15% of women. GBS itself is not harmful to you but can be harmful to your baby as they travel through the vagina during labour. If GBS is present, it is treated with a simple antibiotic during labour.

Ultrasounds

At each appointment, Rachel will perform an ultrasound scan to assess your baby's well-being, allowing you the special opportunity to see your baby before birth. Additionally, you will need more detailed ultrasounds at 12-13 weeks, 20-21 weeks, and during the third trimester. Rachel will refer you to an obstetric ultrasound specialist for these in-depth scans to ensure comprehensive monitoring of your pregnancy.

Postnatal Care

You will have a post birth visit with Rachel at 6-8 weeks post-partum. This is an opportunity for Rachel to assess your recovery, monitor your physical and emotional wellbeing and provide support for newborn feeding and care.