Obstetrics

Congratulations! We are so excited to be a part of this special journey for you and your family. At Womankind Health, we have a team dedicated to caring for you throughout your pregnancy and post-natal period. We can offer care across a number of centres in Adelaide to maximise your choice for safe and convenient birthing options.

After a positive pregnancy test, we recommend you call 08 8166 4381 or contact us to arrange your pregnancy booking visit.

So, you’ve done a home pregnancy test, or your GP has confirmed your pregnancy with a blood test. Now what?

Once your pregnancy has been confirmed, we recommend confirming your expected due date, as this will help with the timing of appointments, scans, and other tests.

You can ring for an appointment at any time. We recommend a GP referral to ensure you are eligible for medicare rebates for your outpatient consultations.

At your first visit between 8-12 weeks, your obstetrician will discuss any results from tests already arranged by your GP. We will take a comprehensive health history from you to tailor your pregnancy care. We will also discuss the options you have for further testing. This can involve testing for genetic differences that may impact the health of your pregnancy. If you choose to undergo one of these tests (which may be blood tests, an ultrasound, or both) we as your obstetrician will provide a referral for this. During this first visit, we will also make a plan for your ongoing care and will schedule your next appointment.

Your subsequent visit will be at about 12-14 weeks. If you have chosen to have genetic testing, we can convey these results and discuss them in further detail. If there are any concerns about the results, we can discuss and arrange further testing if needed and if you wish. At this visit, we will also discuss and check your health and that of your baby.

At each visit, we will discuss with you any recent results, check on your concerns and answer all your questions. We will check your blood pressure and check on your baby with a bedside ultrasound. You will have monthly visits with us until 32 weeks, and then they become fortnightly. After 37 weeks, we will see you weekly until your baby is born.

We aim to provide a compassionate and relaxed environment where you can truly feel like you can be yourself, and ultimately provide you with the birth experience you are seeking.

Womankind Health assists women choosing to birth at Adelaide’s Burnside War Memorial Hospital, The Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and Flinders Medical Centre.

Your post-natal length of stay will be determined by your choice of hospital, your insurance status, your mode of birth, and your individual recovery.

Our remarkable Womankind Health midwifery team - Julie, Lisa, Olivia, and Hannah

We also have excellent support available with our midwifery team who provide comprehensive antenatal education and support during your pregnancy and afterward. As part of our standard care, we offer in-home visits for post-natal care and recovery. We feel these are valuable for lactation support, tips on infant care and settling, and helping you transition in the fourth trimester to parenthood.

We love to see you again in our rooms at 6 weeks post-birth, but we always welcome you back sooner if you have any concerns.

  • The First Visit

    We recommend a first visit between 8 - 12 weeks of pregnancy.

    During this visit, your health history will be explored, and a bedside ultrasound will be offered to assess the growth of your baby.

    A discussion about screening options for genetic or chromosomal abnormalities is best suited at this time to make all your options available to you.

  • Early Dating Scan

    A dating scan is usually done around 6-8 weeks from the start of your last menstrual period.

    Your obstetrician can perform a scan at your first visit.

    This is most often done over the top of your abdomen, but it can sometimes be necessary to perform a vaginal scan to improve the accuracy of the scan.

    It helps to arrive with a full bladder

  • Booking Blood Tests

    If your GP hasn’t already arranged these, the recommended screening in pregnancy includes:

    Urine test for bacteria or signs of infection

    Blood tests for: hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, rubella & syphilis and to assess your blood group and antibody status as well as your full blood count

    Genetic Carrier Screening is now funded by the MBS and may be an option you wish to discuss

  • Screening Options

    Not all parents choose to have screening in pregnancy.

    Combined first trimester screening can detect 85-90% of pregnancies with Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21) with a false positive rate of 5%.

    Non-invasive pre-natal testing (NIPT) is a DNA based maternal blood test that can detect common chromosomal abnormalities.

    These are discussed and offered in the first trimester

  • Early Anatomy Scan

    Sometimes referred to as the “Nuchal Scan”, this scan is best timed between 11 - 13+6 weeks of pregnancy.

    Even if you have low risk screening, this scan is an important assessment of development that the blood test can’t always capture.

    This scan is usually referred to a specialist radiology practice with accreditation for the "Nuchal Translucency"

  • 14 - 16 Week Appointment

    At 14 - 16 weeks of pregnancy, expect increased energy levels, a growing baby bump and maybe even the "flutter" of movements.

    Now is an opportunity to review any screening results or arrange diagnostic testing if any screening results demonstrate an increased risk.

    If not already organised, we will arrange referral for your detailed anatomy scan which is best around 20 weeks

  • The Morphology Scan

    This is an important scan between 18 - 20 weeks of pregnancy.

    This scan will assess the detailed anatomy and growth of your baby.

    This scan will also examine for the position of the placenta and the length of your cervix

  • 20 week Review

    You're halfway! This is an opportunity to review the results of your anatomy scan.

    We will start to discuss some birth plan preferences and map out your pregnancy and birthing journey.

    You will also be offered Pertussis vaccination to provide passive antibody protection for your baby against Whooping Cough

  • At 24 Weeks

    Your baby is growing more rapidly and you may notice more pronounced movements.

    This is a key time for discussing the warning signs for preterm labour as well as planning your glucose screening test for gestational diabetes. You may wish to discuss management of swelling, heartburn or other common discomforts.

    Now is a good time to start planning your Maternity Leave

  • 28 weeks

    As you enter the third trimester your baby is getting bigger and stronger., you may notice more defined kicks and movements.

    If you haven't already done so, arrange your screening for gestational diabetes, iron deficiency and anaemia. This is also a good time to discuss your mental health.

    For those who have a Rh Negative blood group, you will be offered Anti-D prophylaxis.

  • A visit at 32 weeks

    Is a good opportunity to start discussing more details aspects of your birth plan including pain management options and discuss your preferences for postpartum care.

    Talk to us about managing discomforts like back pain and leg cramps and discuss some warning signs for obstetric complications like pre-eclampsia or preterm labour.

    If you haven't already arranged classes, ask us about opportunities for birthing and breastfeeding classes

  • 34 Week Review

    Your baby may now be settling into a head-down position in preparation for birth. This is an important time to discuss with your obstetrician the signs of labour, when to go to the hospital, and what to expect during your birth.

    You may feel increased pelvic pressure and more frequent Braxton Hicks contractions.

    If you're a Rh Negative blood group, you'll be offered another dose Anti-D prophylaxis.

  • At 36 Weeks

    At your 36 week visit its important to confirm the presentation of your baby in preparation for birth and discuss any additional details in your birth plan and preferences. Be sure to address any questions about your hospital stay.

    A vaginal swab screening for Group B Streptococcus will be offered.

    Now is a good time to pack your bag ready for the hospital.

  • The Wait

    In the waiting weeks of pregnancy you wil be offered weekly visits to refine your birth plan and provide reassurance about your baby's wellbeing.

    You may wish to discuss and learn how to express colostrum.

    We will discuss ways to help promote labour. If medically indicated, and the right decision for you we may discuss and plan induction of labour or caesarean section

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about pregnancy that isn’t covered here? Send us your questions on the contact page

The best position to sleep during your pregnancy is on your side - especially after 28 weeks.

We suggest a pillow behind your back and under your knees to prevent falling on your back. Back positions may decrease the blood that flows back to your heart because of compression from the weight of the baby.

You may feel your baby’s movements as anything like flutter, kick or roll. There is no set number of movements. It is NOT TRUE that baby’s movements slow down towards the end of pregnancy. Any change should be investigated.

Trust your intuition. You know your baby best.

Food precautions are important to prevent illness from harmful bacteria.

Avoid raw or undercooked meat, fish or shellfish

Avoid unpasturized dairy products & soft cheese

Wash all fruits and vegetables before eating

Wash hands, knives and cutting boards after use

If you are pregnant, the influenzae and whooping cough (pertussis) vaccinations are recommend in pregnancy.

Both vaccinations are offered for free in Australia

Safety and Quality of Care

As a Womankind client, you will have access to our specialist obstetricians 24 hours a day throughout your pregnancy and up until your six-week postnatal visit.

You primary obstetrician will lead your care. We also provide you with the opportunity to meet all the Womankind obstetricians during your pregnancy.

We prioritise offering you the best and safest care. Many well conducted studies recognise the impact of fatigue on performance and safety. As such, we choose to prioritise your safety by our group on-call safety management system and shared responsibility.

You can be confident your receiving the safest, most individualised care.