Your Pregnancy Journey Begins!
The First Visit
Pregnancy should be a normal natural event. In the first visit, combined with a midwife, we explore your past medical/family history and previous pregnancies to identify any risks in pregnancy. This visit is typically the first time you will see your baby via ultrasound scan and allows the confirmation of due dates. Today is when reality hits!
In normal pregnancy a number of routine blood tests are performed. These include rubella immunity and blood group, which can be important for later in the pregnancy. Husbands are very welcome to attend this and any visit of the pregnancy.
You may wish to save time by completing the on-line registration form prior to your appointment.
Frequency of Visits
After the visit I will see you monthly until approximately 28 weeks, then every two weeks until 36 weeks, and then weekly until the birth of your baby.
Pregnancy Diagnosis of Abnormalities
In the back of every couples mind is the big question: Is everything normal? No one can ever guarantee this, however, two tests go a long way to decreasing your anxiety.
First Trimester Downs Syndrome Screening
This screening test combines maternal age, some maternal blood tests, and an ultrasound of the thickness of the babies neck at 11½ to 13½ weeks to give a statistical risk of Downs Syndrome. Importantly, this test is NOT a yes or no result.
If the result is high risk then an amniocentesis or CVS is considered.
Although many women do this test I would not consider it routine, and only required if the knowledge of Downs Syndrome is important.
Please visit the links page for more information on these tests.
18 – 20 Week Morphology Scan
This test is considered a routine test in Australia. At this time your baby has grown enough that excellent views of most body organs and parts can be seen and confirmed as normal. We are also able to view where the placenta is situated.
It is important to note that while these scans are very accurate, I can still not guarantee all is normal. Some specific conditions can be tested for in pregnancy if family histories are known (eg. Haemophilia or Cystic Fibrosis). However, there is no test to determine every possible outcome.
I highly recommend QLD Ultrasound for Women for the above scans and test.