antenatal care
If you are a first-time expecting mum, antenatal care is crucial to help you with direct medical care and checkups, but also to make sure you and your whole family are supported.
- Antenatal care is about ongoing support and education during your pregnancy
- We offer remote foetal monitoring to give you peace of mind
- Ultrasounds and tests are done at regular intervals to monitor your pregnancy
- Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy are normal
- COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy is recommended early on
Antenatal care Joondalup
So what does it include?
It starts even before you are pregnant
Taking care of yourself and getting ready to deliver your baby starts from the moment you begin contemplating a pregnancy. It’s our firm belief that antenatal care is more than just catering to pregnancy-related medical needs. It’s also about caring for your psychosocial needs and emotional needs.
It is a complex time and most healthy mums will experience a normal pregnancy. Even so, pregnancy requires the skills, experience and expertise of an obstetrician. Quite often, multidisciplinary care is needed to meet the needs of your whole family.
And this is what antenatal care is all about: ongoing support and education during your pregnancy. It is a time when a trusting relationship is developed between your family and your obstetrician.
Obstetrician Joondalup
You will usually see our obstetrician or midwife every 4 weeks till you are 32 weeks and every 2 weeks after that.
You will usually see our obstetrician or midwife every 4 weeks till you are 32 weeks and every 2 weeks after that.
The first consultation of your pregnancy is crucial
Your first consultation with your obstetrician, to discuss your antenatal care journey, is probably the most important one, from a medical risk management point of view.
We will take a detailed medical/surgical & psychosocial history. It means we can be aware of any potential risk factors, based on our experience. The more we know, the better prepared we are if any potential problem arises.
It also gives you the opportunity to ask questions and explore any concerns you may have.
We want to know what is important to you. It’s an excellent opportunity to introduce yourself and your family’s expectations from your pregnancy.
Obstetrician Joondalup
We will explain the philosophy of our practice and how it will benefit your family.
My patients tell me that they leave this first antenatal consultation feeling confident, knowing they have made the best choice and that they are in good hands.
Obstetrician Joondalup
To make sure your partner can attend, we have late evening and weekend appointments available, to fit around your family and work commitments.
Yes, we do. We aim to tailor your pregnancy to your needs. Speak to us about what you would like to achieve.
Anxiety in pregnancy
Feeling worried? We've got your back
Appointment times convenient to you
We offer our families the opportunity to use telehealth for some of their appointments. These appointments are usually in the evening and often allow more time to discuss any concerns the family may have and allow for some education as well.
Access to remote foetal monitoring
Should a family choose to avail themselves of this package they will be provided with a remote fetal monitor and blood pressure machine. This will allow me to remotely monitor your baby while you are in your own home with you applying a simple handheld device to your abdomen.
Access to blood pressure monitor
Free online antenatal classes
You will be given access to our online antenatal classes platform. The free online classes will provide an opportunity to guide our education during your visits.
Pregnancy scan Joondalup
About the tests and scans in antenatal care
Types of tests in pregnancy care
You will need a set of tests screening for any viruses or infections that may affect your pregnancy.
You will also need to have your oxygen-carrying capacity measured. Your iron levels and kidney and liver function will also be tested at the beginning of your pregnancy.
These are routine tests, often done by your GP and they are known as an antenatal screen. They are recommended by our national guidelines.
You will then have another routine set of tests between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy:
- Glucose tolerance test
- Full blood picture
- Syphilis serology
- If indicated, iron studies
- At 36 completed weeks you will have your Full Blood Count (FBC) repeated
- You will then also be offered a vaginal swab testing for a common bacteria that can affect your baby at birth. You will be taught how to collect this yourself.
- All other blood tests will be as indicated.
How about your ultrasound scans?
Ultrasound scans are safe and we routinely offer an assessment of your baby at every appointment. You will, however, need to consider first-trimester screening which will include an ultrasound done by a radiologist and you will need a detailed anatomy survey at 19 – 21 weeks.
Morning sickness remedies
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
Morning sickness, also known as nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, will typically occur in your first trimester between four and seven weeks of pregnancy, peaking at nine weeks and resolving by twenty weeks. Morning sickness, how annoying this may sound, is normal and affects up to 80% of pregnant women.
Unfortunately, some women get ‘Hyperemesis gravidarum’, which is a severe form of nausea and vomiting. It affects approximately 1% of pregnant women and includes signs of dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and weight loss. Hyperemesis gravidarum requires medical attention.
Remember to seek medical advice early as there are other medical conditions that can mimic normal pregnancy nausea and vomiting that will need urgent treatment.
What helps with morning sickness?
Here are 9 tips for dealing with morning sickness:
- Dietary changes: Try to eat before, or as soon as you feel hungry in order to avoid an empty stomach that may aggravate nausea
- Eat small, frequent, high carbohydrate, low-fat meals.
- Some women report an improvement when eliminating spicy or fatty foods and eating salty, bland, dry or high protein snacks/meals.
- Fluids are better tolerated if cold, clear, carbonated or sour (e.g. ginger ale, lemonade) & taken in small amounts between meals.
- Try eating some dry crackers before getting out of bed in the morning, getting out of bed slowly and avoiding rushing.
- Try herbal peppermint or ginger teas.
- Vitamins and supplements: You may consider ceasing your pregnancy vitamins but ensure adequate folic acid and iodine intake.
- Hypnosis: While there is very little evidence if any to support this, some women have reported improvement in their pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting with the use of hypnosis.
- Acupressure and acupuncture: Acupressure and acupuncture are considered safe in pregnancy and may improve nausea and vomiting.
Covid vaccine pregnancy
COVID-19 and pregnancy
Preparing for parenthood can be exciting, but COVID-19 restrictions may impact the joy of childbirth.
To reduce the levels of stress, related to COVID-19, we recommend vaccination as soon as possible and we will support you through the pandemic and delivery.
Pregnant women have a much higher risk of more severe illness from COVID-19 than women who are not pregnant. Getting vaccinated may protect you from severe illness and may help protect your baby(s).
Obstetrician Joondalup
When pregnant with COVID-19 you are more likely:
- To need care in an intensive care unit (ICU)
- To need a ventilator for breathing support
- To die from the illness
Your baby is also more likely to:
- Be born preterm
- Be possibly stillborn
- Be affected by COVID-19
- Be admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit
Getting vaccinated protects:
- You
- Your baby(s)
- Your family
- Your community
Did you know that:
- The vaccine does not use the live virus that is responsible for causing COVID-19
- Rigorous studies have compared the pregnancies of women who have been vaccinated with those who have not and these studies have not shown safety concerns with regards to pregnancy outcomes
- When vaccinated the antibodies that are produced in your body can be passed through breast milk and may help protect your baby(s)
- There is no data to support an effect of the vaccines on fertility
12 excellent reasons to choose Joondalup Obstetrics and Gynaecology Group
Care for the whole family, organising work certificates for partners.
Providing safe care and birth options (experience as a rural GP obstetrician).
A limited number of private patients to allow us the ability to provide patients with the service they deserve.
Make the time for patients, understand what they want/expect from their journey, available 24/7 (when on leave you will be covered during those times).
Blood pressure management.
Foetal growth assessment.
Maintaining a close relationship with your GP.
In-house access to allied health services such as physiotherapy and lactation consultants.
Free online antenatal classes.
About
JOGG
We are Joondalup Obstetrics and Gynaecology Group, in short JOGG. We are a Joondalup-based private obstetrics and gynaecology practice, and cater for mums, women and families across the Perth metro area.
antenatal care information
More FAQs for your first pregnancy
Yes, pregnancy will come with many changes.
We generally do not recommend alcohol/tobacco/drug use in pregnancy.
We encourage regular exercise in most instances.
Please follow this link to a pamphlet on healthy eating in pregnancy
A birth plan is not compulsory but it does provide a good opportunity to express what you want from your birthing experience.
I recommend writing a birth plan as early as possible and spending some time to go through this with your obstetrician so we can help you achieve your goals
No, it is never too late. While we prefer that you start a few weeks before you fall pregnant please commence folate supplements as soon as you find out you are pregnant.
There are some situations where you will need a much higher dose of folate such as if you are on anti-epileptic medications. Speak to us or your GP early.
This is dependent on your pre-pregnancy weight but in general, we recommend no more than 16kg through the pregnancy.
If weight gain becomes an issue, we are here to help and can assist with the aid of a dietitian, advice and ongoing support through the pregnancy.
If you are in good health with a normal pregnancy then it is safe to continue or start regular physical activity. This does not increase your risk of miscarriage, low birth weight or preterm birth. Please discuss this with us early in your pregnancy.
Ideally, I recommend about 150min of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (Able to break a sweat, raise your heartbeat and talk normally but not sing) per week. This can be divided into about 30min daily workouts on 5 days or smaller 10 min workouts spread through the day.
Regular exercise:
- Reduces back pain
- Can help with constipation
- Assists with weight management during the pregnancy
- Reduces the risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and caesarean birth
- Improves overall fitness
Regular exercise is not recommended if the following conditions or pregnancy complications exist:
- Certain lung and heart disease
- Cervical cerclage
- Twins or triplets and other risk factors for preterm labour
- Placenta previa after 24 weeks
- Rupture of membranes
- Preeclampsia or hypertension
- Severe anaemia
We support all birthing choices. Please talk to us about your options. As an obstetrician, my passion is to provide a safe environment for you to bring new life into the world.
My role is to use the experience and knowledge I have to keep you and your family safe.
Please detail your birth plan and discuss it with me at your earliest convenience.
In most cases, it is safe to travel during pregnancy until close to your due date.
Having an anterior placenta is a normal variant in pregnancy. You have nothing to be worried about.
Benefits for the mother:
- May help lose some of the weight put on during pregnancy
- May reduce your long term risk of diabetes and high blood pressure
- May lower your risk of breast and ovarian cancer
- May help reduce the amount of bleeding after childbirth
Benefits for your child:
- Has the right amount of fat, sugar, water, protein, and minerals needed for a baby’s growth and development
- Is easier to digest than formula, and breastfed babies have less gas, fewer feeding problems, and less constipation
- Breast milk contains protective antibodies that keep your child safe from certain illnesses
- Breast milk reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Yes, lactation is a big part of a successful pregnancy. We recognise this and have partnered with “lactation your way” to help.
You will be offered an appointment early in the pregnancy.
It is also worth noting that many of the midwives that will look after you are also experienced lactation consultants.
Yes. Provided you have not been told by your caregiver that you have a “low lying placenta”. You will be told about this after you have had your anatomy scan, usually done at 20 weeks.
If at the 20-week scan you have a “low lying placenta” then it is best to abstain from intercourse and discuss this with us.
Any pain you feel during your pregnancy should promptly be discussed with your obstetrician.
Remember we are available to you 24/7
