Frequently Asked Questions
What Do I Need for My First Appointment?
Whether attending for a gynaecology appointment or for pregnany care, the following are required:
- A doctor’s referral
- Medicare card
- Private Health insurance details
- Any prior blood tests/ultrasounds/reports/x-rays
Should I Be Taking Vitamin Supplements for My Pregnancy?
Iron and folate are very important for a healthy pregnancy and ideally should be taken preconceptually or as soon as you discover that you are pregnant. There are many formulations on the market for a combined supplement, such as Elevit, but it is best to speak to your doctor about your needs.
What Antenatal Tests Will be Done During My Pregnancy?
Routine antenatal tests are carried throughout pregnancy. The type of routine tests done depend on the stage of pregnancy. Other non-routine tests may be ordered depending on your medical history, age and progression of pregnancy. On the first visit an ultrasound is done to assess fetal viability and dating. In the first trimester the following tests are also done:
- Full blood count.
- Blood group & Antibody screen (whether Anti-D positive or not)
- Viral screen for Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B&C, HIV, CMV, and Parvovirus
- Syphilis screen
- Vitamin D level
- Mid-stream urine for infection
- Combined maternal screening for aneuploidy. This includes an ultrasound at twelve weeks for nuchal translucency. The result of which is then correlated with the maternal blood test at 10 weeks to estimate the risk ratio for chromosomal abnormality.
In the second trimester, another ultrasound is performed at 18-20 weeks for fetal anatomy screening and placental site assessment.
In the third trimester at 28 weeks, a glucose challenge test is carried out to screen for gestational diabetes. A full blood count is also repeated to check for anaemia.
Other tests are based on individual medical need.
What is the Frequency of Visits During Pregnancy?
In normal uncomplicated pregnancies, following the initial consultation, visits are organised every four weeks until 28 weeks gestation, then fort-nightly until 36 weeks gestation, then weekly until delivery. In twin, multiple or complicated pregnancies, visits are determined by medical necessity.
How Do I Find Out About Breast-Feeding and Other Antenatal Classes?
Breast-feeding classes are usually offered by your hospital that you will be admitted to for the delivery. Other topics apart from breast-feeding are also usually covered, and some hospitals offer Le Mas classes.
What are the Normal Symptoms of Pregnancy?
During the course of pregnancy a number of symptoms may possibly be experienced. Most women experience one or other symptoms during their pregnancy. The most common are nausea or “morning sickness,” heart-burn/indigestion and back pain. Headaches and tiredness are also very common.
Morning sickness or nausea is typically experienced early on in the pregnancy and usually subsides by the start of the second trimester. Sometimes it may last longer. Some simple remedies may be beneficial in controlling symptoms. These include Vitamin B6 and fresh ginger or ginger derivatives such as ginger-tea. If these fail to provide relief, you can speak to your doctor about prescription medications.
Heart burn or indigestion usually starts in the second trimester and may continue until delivery. Having small frequent meals often helps. Otherwise, there are many over-the-counter remedies that may help such as Mylanta and Quick-eze. Again, if these fail, speak to your doctor about other possible treatments.
Back-ache usually occurs in the third trimester as the abdomen becomes larger. This causes your centre of gravity to change and the hormonal changes in the body also cause muscles/ligaments to become lax. Resting where possible is best. You might also benefit from massage therapy.
Some women also experience bleeding/spotting in pregnancy with or without abdominal pain. These are important symptoms to report to your doctor so that they may check your health and that of your baby.
What is Rhesus Incompatibility and What Can Be Done About It?
The Rhesus factor is an antibody found in blood. It is not found in all individuals and as such, its presence or absence determines whether your blood group is positive or negative respectively.
If the blood of anyone who’s Rh- comes into contact with Rh+ blood, it will react to it as ‘foreign’, and will develop antibodies to the Rh+ cells that will kill them off.
If a Rh- woman who has antibodies in her blood is pregnant with a Rh+ baby, it’s possible for her antibodies to pass through to the baby and damage or even destroy the baby’s red blood cells. This can lead to the baby becoming anaemic or developing jaundice, or occasionally to more serious complications.
Fortunately, Rhesus factor problems are almost entirely preventable. Women who are Rh- are routinely given an injection of a substance called Anti-D.
This is given routinely at 28 and 34 weeks gestation. It is also given shortly after the baby is born if the baby tests positive for Rhesus factor. Anti-D is also administered at any stage during the pregnancy if there is any bleeding, trauma or injury where a materno-foetal transfusion may have occurred.
