Pregnancy Care
Pregnancy is one of the most exciting and life-changing journeys you can experience. Our team of pregnancy doctors is committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate, and personalised care throughout your pregnancy. Whether it’s your first child or you’ve been through this before, our goal is to support you every step of the way, ensuring you and your baby’s health and well-being.
Pregnancy care, also known as prenatal care, is a crucial aspect of ensuring the health and well-being of both the mother and the developing foetus during pregnancy. Prenatal care involves a series of medical check-ups, screenings, and education to monitor the progress of the pregnancy, identify and address potential issues, and promote a healthy outcome for the mother and baby.
What to Expect
Kirrawee Doctors provides multiple appointments to evaluate the health of you and your baby.
Early Prenatal Visits
At your first appointment, your pregnancy doctor will review your medical history, discuss your pregnancy symptoms, and perform a general physical examination. They will confirm your pregnancy through certain tests and discuss key topics such as nutrition, lifestyle modifications, and what to expect during pregnancy. They may also provide guidance on managing common pregnancy symptoms and preparing for childbirth.
Ultrasound Exams
Ultrasounds are used to assess the health and development of your baby, confirm the due date, and detect any potential issues. Early ultrasounds can confirm the pregnancy, detect multiple pregnancies, and evaluate the embryo’s growth. Depending on your pregnancy, your GP may refer you for several ultrasounds throughout your pregnancy to monitor foetal development and ensure the placenta is functioning correctly.
Blood Tests During Pregnancy
Early blood tests typically include checking your blood type, Rh factor, haemoglobin levels, and screening for infections such as HIV and hepatitis B. They also assess your risk for conditions like anaemia and gestational diabetes. Additional blood tests may be done at various stages to monitor your and your baby’s health, including glucose tolerance tests and screenings for genetic conditions if necessary.
Regular Prenatal Check-Ups
During a standard, healthy pregnancy, you will have regular check-ups every four weeks until 28 weeks, then every two weeks until 36 weeks, and weekly thereafter until delivery. These visits typically involve checking your blood pressure, measuring your weight, assessing the baby’s heartbeat, and discussing any concerns you may have.
Foetal Growth Monitoring
Your GP will measure the size of your uterus to ensure the baby is growing at a normal rate. This is usually done during each check-up after 20 weeks. If there are concerns about foetal growth, your GP may schedule additional ultrasounds to track the baby’s development and make sure everything is progressing normally.
Pregnancy Screenings
Depending on your medical history and risk factors, your GP may recommend genetic screenings or tests to assess the risk of certain genetic conditions. Screening for conditions such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes may be done based on your health and any symptoms you experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
When to Book an Appointment
It’s best to seek pregnancy care as early as possible. Once you either think or know you’re pregnant, schedule an appointment with Kirrawee Doctors who will be able to support and guide you on your journey to parenthood.