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Antenatal (Pregnancy) Care

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When planning a family or expecting a baby, it’s important to understand the various pregnancy and birth care options available to you. Here are some choices:

Midwifery-led care

Most of your antenatal care is provided by a team of midwives. If you are healthy and experiencing a low-risk pregnancy with no complications, this may be an option for you.

Obstetric care (public or private)

Women with more complex care requirements or complications may be referred to an obstetrician. If you have private health insurance, you may also opt for obstetric care. One benefit is that you get to choose your obstetrician to provide all your pregnancy care.

* Shared care

This is where we come in. Shared care involves splitting your antenatal care between your GP and a hospital or birthing center. If you already have a great relationship with your doctor and are experiencing a low-risk pregnancy, shared care may be a great way to go.

  • Continuity of care throughout your pregnancy and beyond
  • More time to discuss your needs and concerns
  • Reduced wait time in a familiar GP environment
  • Ongoing postnatal care provided to you, your newborn and the rest of the family.

PROVIDERS WE WORK WITH

At Bayside Family Medical maternity shared care occurs with the Royal Women’s Hospital (Parkville and Sandringham) with Dr. Cora Mayer. The location of the public hospital where you’ll deliver your baby is based firstly on the type of care you require (low vs high-risk care, which may change as the pregnancy progresses), and secondly on your residential location as pregnancy service hospitals are zoned by area.

HOW DOES SHARED CARE WORK?

Throughout your pregnancy, most appointments will be with us, while a few will be at the hospital. Usually, around 8-10 appointments are scheduled with your GP, of which 3-4 visits are at the hospital.

Your GP will recommend a variety of tests during your pregnancy to monitor the health of yourself and your baby. These can include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • An initial blood test:
    • Full Blood Count, Iron, Blood Group and Antibody screen
    • Screen for infections including HIV, Hep C, Hep B, Syphilis
    • Rubella and Varicella immunity status
    • Urine test for bacterial or sexually transmitted infections – based on risk
    • Thyroid or Vitamin D – based on risk
  • An Ultrasound to confirm your due date (available from 6 weeks, ideally at 7-8 weeks, and often recommended for women who have experienced bleeding during early pregnancy or those who have a history of miscarriages)
  • Genetic Screening tests from 10 weeks onwards, tailored to the individual
    • Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing – taken anytime from 10 weeks
    • First Trimester Screening test
      • Blood test between 10 and 11 weeks combined with the ultrasound results at 12-13 weeks
  • Ultrasound at 12-13 weeks (recommended even if not doing first trimester screening)
  • Complete anatomical ultrasound survey approx. 19-20 weeks
  • Blood test at 28 weeks
    • Oral glucose tolerance test (fasting) checking for Diabetes
    • Full blood count, Iron levels and Blood Group Antibody Screen
  • Blood pressure checks and abdominal examinations throughout pregnancy
  • Foetal heart monitoring after 24 weeks

We’ll refer you for any necessary tests mentioned and discuss the results with you.

Routine procedures via our HotDoc Online booking system.