What to expect at your first GP visit and confirmation of pregnancy.
***Key Points***
Whether you are planning to have private or public pregnancy care you most women will visit their GP to discuss their Pregnancy care options
The aim of every antenatal visit in pregnancy is to check on your health and wellbeing and the progress of your pregnancy.
Decisions regarding your care will be made in collaboration with you factoring in your preferences for pregnancy care.
Your first appointment with your GP to confirm your pregnancy will ideally be as early as possible in pregnancy.
***Key Points***
***Your GP will discuss***
At this appointment your GP will discuss with you
- Your general health and wellbeing and medical history, social history and any previous babies you have had.
- Options for pregnancy and birth care such as Public hospital care, Shared GP/Obstetric Care, Private Obstetric care, Private Midwifery care or care attended at an Aboriginal health service.
- Potential factors that may contribute to your pregnancy being high risk
- Folic acid supplements and any further supplements recommended
- Any medications you are taking
- Foods to avoid in pregnancy.
- Food hygiene and safety in pregnancy
- Aspects of your life that may affect your health or the health of your baby, eg. smoking, recreational drug use and alcohol consumption.
- What to do if you have concerns about your pregnancy prior to attending your first scheduled appointment at the hospital, midwifery or obstetric practice
***Your GP will discuss***
***Blood tests offered***
GP will provide you with a referral for the following blood tests;
- HCG level (to confirm you are pregnant)
- Blood group and antibody screen
This will include checking if you are Rh negative or positive
- Full blood count
- Iron level and Ferritin
- Thyroid levels
- Vitamin D
- Hepatitis B screen
- Hepatitis C screen
- HIV screen
- Syphilis serology
- Rubella immunity
- Urine screen – to check for signs of any infection
They may suggest any of the following depending on your individual circumstances
- Vitamin B check
- Early diabetes screening
***Blood tests offered***
***Ultrasounds offered***
Your GP will also provide a referral for
- Dating Ultrasound – this ultrasound is usually attended before 12 weeks and confirms an estimated due date by ultrasound
- Nuchal translucency ultrasound – this ultrasound is attended between 11-14 weeks of pregnancy and is part of the first trimester combined screen and also provides information on the development of the baby’s spinal cord and brain.
- 19/20 week morphology ultrasound and placental localisation
***Ultrasounds offered***
***Models of pregnancy care***
All the information that you provide your GP, the results of the initial investigations and blood tests are sent in a referral letter to the place you have chosen for your pregnancy care and birth of baby/babies. IE – Public maternity hospital, Private Obstetrician, Private Midwife.
It is incredibly important to make the most of the time with the Midwife/Obstetrician who meets with you at your first booking visit at the hospital or private practice so as a thorough history is taken and information shared is complete. A checklist in preparation for this visit is available here.
***Models of pregnancy care***
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