Your First Visit with our Obstetrician 

Your first visit is usually the most important visit for your pregnancy.  It is ideal though not essential that both you and your partner attend this visit.  Please allow approximately 45 minutes for this visit.  During this visit I will ask you questions about your health and your pregnancy, perform a physical check-up, and do an ultrasound of your baby.  I will also discuss with you and arrange any further testing that needs to be done.

What to expect on your first obstetric visit

During your first visit I will discuss with you your medical history, any previous pregnancies you have had, and any concerns you have about your current pregnancy.  If you have significant past or current health issues, or if you have had previous pregnancies, the more information you provide about those events, the better.  For particularly complex problems, if you have hospital discharge summaries or letters from specialists, please bring these along

What to bring on your first visit

• You will need a valid referral from a doctor if you want to be able to claim a Medicare rebate for your visit.  Referrals from one specialist to another are only valid for 3 months, whereas referrals from a GP to a specialist are valid for 12 months.  To cover your entire pregnancy it is therefore helpful to obtain a referral from a GP, even if you have been referred by a specialist.
• A completed Personal Information and Consent form, which you would have received in your information pack after you booked your appointment
• A completed Medical History form, which was also included in the information pack you received
• Your Medicare card and private health insurance details
• Details & results of any testing you have had so far in the pregnancy

How often will I be seen during pregnancy?

Subsequent visits are usually shorter - approximately 15 minutes.  Assuming your pregnancy is progressing smoothly, I will normally see you approximately once per month up until about 24 weeks gestation.  From 24-36 weeks I will see you every 2-3 weeks, and then it is usually weekly until the birth.  

I will also see you for a check-up after the baby is born.  Usually this takes place approximately 6 weeks after the birth.

What happens if there are complications during pregnancy?

In my years as a specialist obstetrician, I have helped many parents through difficult or high-risk pregnancies. In the event that your pregnancy is more complicated than usual or problems develop as the pregnancy progresses, the frequency and timing of our visits may need to change accordingly.

What to ask your obstetrician on your first visit

Every pregnancy and every individual is different, but as a starting point for our discussion, here are some questions that are worth considering – I am more than happy to discuss any with you. 

• Will I have scans throughout my pregnancy? When?
• Do I need to make any lifestyle changes while I am pregnant (for example, diet, physical activity, alcohol and other drug use)?
• Can I continue to take my current medications?
• Is it safe for me to travel overseas? Up until when in my pregnancy?
• What methods of pain relief do you use or recommend during labour?

Additional general questions can be found on the Victorian Government’s Better Health website.

Discuss your needs with my office

Contact my office at the Epworth Freemasons Day Procedure and Maternity Centre to book a consultation. Call (03) 9416 2802 or make an enquiry via our contact form.