Antenatal Clinic

Antenatal Clinic in the Shire

Pregnancy care consists of prenatal (before birth) and postpartum (after birth) medical care for expectant mothers and their babies.

It’s very important for the mum and her baby to be looked after from the start of pregnancy until after the birth. Care should include providing support and information, monitoring the health and wellbeing and that of her baby, and identifying special medical or personal needs that may require extra help from a doctor or midwife.

Antenatal care during the pregnancy

Once your pregnancy is confirmed, it’s essential to see your GP as soon as possible so you can schedule the appointments you will need during pregnancy. Appointments during your pregnancy are called your antenatal appointments or antenatal care.

During the pregnancy, you’ll need to schedule regular healthcare appointments throughout each stage of your pregnancy. A schedule of visits may involve seeing your doctor

Antenatal appointments will allow your GP to help both you and your baby stay healthy. Even if your pregnancy is going well and you’re feeling well, it’s important for you to attend your appointments so that any potential risks can be identified and prevented, or reduced.

It’s also a great opportunity to ask any questions you have about your pregnancy You can also get support to help you with your lifestyle, including mental health or dietary advice, or help quitting smoking or avoiding drinking alcohol. You can discuss any problems you might be having at home.

Pregnancy Care

During these visits, your doctor will check your health and the health of your baby.

Your GP might ask about:

Your menstrual cycle, gynaecological history and any past pregnancies
Your personal and family medical history
Exposure to potentially toxic substances
Medication use, including prescription and over-the-counter medications or supplements.
Your lifestyle, including your use of tobacco, alcohol and caffeine
Travel to areas where malaria, tuberculosis, the Zika virus or other infectious diseases are common

Share information about sensitive issues, such as domestic abuse, abortion or past drug use, too. This will help your GP take the best care of you — and your baby.

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Your doctor may also perform some tests including

Taking routine tests and screenings, such as a blood test to check for iron deficiency anaemia, HIV, and your blood group
Monitoring your blood pressure and heart rate
Measuring your height and weight gain
Monitoring the baby’s growth and heart rate
Educating about special diet, exercise and sleeping pattern

Later visits may also include checking the baby’s position and noting changes in your body as you prepare for birth.

If your pregnancy is considered high risk because of your age or health conditions, you may require more frequent visits and special care. You may also need to see a obstetrician who works with high-risk pregnancies.

GP Shared Care Service (GPSC)

What Is Shared Pregnancy Care?

GP Shared Care Service allows you to build a relationship between your regularly seen GP, it could be Shire Doctors and Dentists, and your preferred hospital and midwife.

Essentially, this option of care enables you to have some pregnancy appointments with your GP and others at your chosen birthing hospital. Should you need to see a hospital doctor or a specialist, this can be arranged.

Following best practice guidelines, your GP shared care team aims to offer you continuity of care with your GP and midwife. This gives you clear lines of communication between yourself, your GP, and the midwife.

Can Anyone Use GP Shared Care Services?

As long as your GP is affiliated with the birthing hospital of your choice, you should be able to access GP Shared Care Services. One of the main reasons why someone is unable to use GP Shared Care Service (GPSC) is when there is a substantial medical and/or other pregnancy complication history.

There are certain conditions where shared care services are generally not recommended:

This is not a comprehensive list of conditions, therefore, you need to have a conversation with your accredited GP to determine whether you can and should use GP Shared Care Services.

What Are The Advantages Of Choosing GP Shared Care Services?

There are many advantages in opting for the use of GP Shared Care Services, including:

Service is personalised to your experience and preferences.
Consistent care is provided by your GP who will continue to be your main party of guidance before and after the baby arrives.
Generally speaking, waiting times are quicker than in hospital clinics.
There may be more flexible appointment times for you, such as weekends and after hours.

When Should I Start Discussing Antenatal Shared Care With My GP?

This discussion should happen before you are pregnant. Ideally, this conversation would happen when you are planning to fall pregnant so there is the chance to discuss matters including folic acid intake, rubella immunity, and other issues related to antenatal care. However, if you are currently pregnant and wish to discuss options regarding antenatal shared care, it is not too late.

Where Would I Receive Antenatal Shared Care?

Your pregnancy care would be received between your GP’s location and at the hospital with your chosen midwives and doctors.

Where Would The Birth Of My Baby Occur If I Used This Type Of Care?

Based on your decision, you would give birth in the hospital birthing unit. This is where your midwife and doctor would take care of you during the labour and birthing experience. There is an option for your GP to pay a visit while you are in hospital to give birth – but they are not responsible for the baby’s delivery.

I Need Advice Or Help Regarding Antenatal Matters. Who Can I Speak To?

For non-urgent problems – please contact your preferred GP, which could be Shire Doctors and Dentists, to arrange an appointment to discuss the antenatal issue or matter. We are available Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, and can be reached on +02 9063 8650.

For emergency medical help – please get in contact with the birthing unit at your preferred hospital or call 000 for life-threatening matters.

Ultrasound during pregnancy

Your doctor will advise you when an ultrasound is recommended. The following ultrasounds are common in pregnancy

8–9 weeks dating scan

some women choose to have an early ultrasound around 8-9 weeks. This ultrasound can confirm the due date where the last menstrual period is unknown, or for reassurance.

11–13 weeks first trimester screen

an ultrasound (also known as a nuchal translucency scan) combined with a blood test (PAPP-A) is recommended for all pregnant women. This is a screening test which will calculate your estimated risk of having a baby with Down Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. It is also commonly used to calculate your estimated due date.

18–20 weeks morphology scan

an important ultrasound to check for major anatomical abnormalities in your baby. This scan can help parents to find out the baby’s gender.

In a normal, low-risk pregnancy, the list above is usually all you will need. Extra ultrasounds beyond this may be recommended for high-risk pregnancies or to check on the baby’s growth and wellbeing.

Diet during pregnancy

Your diet during pregnancy should include adequate amounts of the following:

fruit and vegetables
breads and cereals
dairy foods for calcium
lean meats, chicken and fish

You don’t have to increase the quantity but you need to eat more variety.

Vegetarians

Lentils, beans, tofu, eggs and soy milk can replace animal foods in a vegetarian diet. If you do not eat animal foods you will need to take a vitamin B12 supplement before and during pregnancy, as this vitamin is needed for the baby’s brain development.

Folate

Folic acid is a vitamin found in a variety of foods. It’s recommended you take a folate supplement for two months before you get pregnant and during the first three months of pregnancy, to reduce the risk of spinal problems such as spina bifida in your baby. As well as eating foods rich in folate, a daily supplement containing 500mcg of folic acid is recommended.

If there is a family history of cleft lip, spinal problems or you are taking an anti-epilepsy medication, your GP may recommend a higher dose of folic acid.

Fish

Fish is also important for developing your baby’s brain and nervous tissue. One to three serves of fish per week is recommended. There are certain types of fish that should be limited because of their high levels of mercury. Shark (flake), broadbill, marlin and swordfish shouldn’t be eaten more than once per fortnight and orange roughy (sea perch) and catfish, more than once per week. Other fish are safe to eat. Canned tuna is not restricted.

Iodine in pregnancy

Iodine is another nutrient that is important for your baby’s brain development. To ensure adequate iodine either:

Eat fish one to three times a week, (limit high mercury types) and/or
Use iodised salt or
Take a multivitamin for pregnancy that contains iodine.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is mostly made in the skin by the action of sunlight, but a small amount can come from foods like oily fish, egg yolks, margarine and milk. Vitamin D is important for the development of your baby’s bones and teeth and low levels can cause muscle weakness and pain in women. You may be vitamin D deficient, if you:

have darker skin
cover most of your body with clothing
spend most of your time indoors.

Please discuss this with your GP, who may order a vitamin D level on your initial blood test and suggest supplements while you are pregnant and breastfeeding.

Iron

Iron is needed to make red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. During pregnancy you need more iron because the volume of your blood increases and your baby’s blood is also developing.

For an iron rich diet:

include at least two serves of meat, chicken, fish, legumes or nuts every day
eat wholegrain breads, cereals and green leafy vegetables regularly.

Some women can’t get enough iron from food, so you may need an iron supplement. Your GP or dietitian can recommend what you will need.

Food safety and hygiene

Listeria and toxoplasmosis are uncommon infections that can be passed onto your unborn baby.

To reduce your risk of listeria:

Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before preparing food.
Keep chopping boards and cooking utensils clean when preparing food.
Wash vegetables and fruit before eating.
Avoid cold sliced meats, e.g. ham and salami, cold cooked chicken, pate, uncooked seafood, soft-serve ice-cream, pre-prepared salads and cheeses such as brie, camembert, feta and ricotta.

Listeria is killed by cooking, so make sure that when you reheat food, it is very hot.

To reduce your risk of toxoplasmosis

Looking for an Antenatal Clinic in Caringbah?

The friendly doctors at Shire Doctors and Dentists are more than happy to help and guide you on your journey. Please book an appointment here or you can contact us on 02 9063 8650.