Pregnancy Care / Schedule Of Visits

Your first antenatal visit is usually between 8-10 weeks of pregnancy. This visit will involve a medical check-up and a discussion to plan your pregnancy. This can take 30-60 minutes and may also include an ultrasound. A full medical history will be taken and a physical examination performed.

You will also have blood tests which your GP may have already ordered that check your Blood group and rhesus status, and Full Blood count. We also routinely screen for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and Syphilis. We will also check your vitamin D and thyroid function. A urine sample is tested for infection and screening for fetal abnormalities and Down’s syndrome will be discussed.

Most women will have visits approximately once a month until 28 weeks, then every 2-3 weeks until 36 weeks, then weekly until birth. Blood tests may be ordered throughout the pregnancy. In addition, a 12 and 20 week ultrasound are routinely ordered. Women with High Risk pregnancies such as Twins, women with certain Medical conditions, History of adverse pregnancy outcomes or certain fetal conditions such as growth restriction may be seen more often.

We encourage you to write down any questions that may arise between appointments so we can discuss them during your visits. We will also discuss your wishes for the birth, hospital stay and breast-feeding from 30 weeks of pregnancy.

To prepare for your first obstetric visit, please check that you have:
• A referral from your GP
• A copy of any recent blood tests or ultrasounds
• The date and result of your last pap smear
• Your Medicare card and health insurance details

Dr Hamilton aims to run to schedule, however due to the unpredictable nature of obstetrics, delays are sometimes unavoidable.