Preparing for Pregnancy
If you are planning a pregnancy, an early consultation provides an opportunity to prepare for conception and identify anything that may need consideration beforehand.
At This Stage, You May Discuss:
- Your medical and family history
- Previous pregnancies
- Current medications and health conditions
- Preconception testing where appropriate
- Genetic carrier screening
- Vaccination status
- Folic acid and supplements
- Lifestyle and general health
- Fertility concerns where relevant
Starting Your Pregnancy Care
Your first appointments establish the foundation of your pregnancy care and help determine the next steps based on your individual circumstances.
At This Stage, You May:
- Attend your first obstetric consultation
- Confirm your estimated due date
- Arrange an early or dating ultrasound
- Complete initial antenatal investigations
- Discuss nutrition and supplements
- Consider prenatal genetic screening options
- Raise questions or concerns
- Establish your upcoming appointment schedule
Understanding Early Development
During the first and early second trimester, the focus shifts towards understanding your baby’s development and reviewing the results of early pregnancy screening.
During This Period, You May:
- Consider NIPT from around 10 weeks
- Complete first trimester screening where chosen
- Have a nuchal translucency ultrasound
- Review screening results with Dr Cheng
- Continue routine maternal health checks
- Attend your morphology ultrasound at around 18 to 20 weeks
- Discuss further investigations if recommended
Watching Your Pregnancy Progress
As your pregnancy develops, regular appointments help track your wellbeing and your baby’s progress while preparing for the third trimester.
During This Period, You May:
- Attend regular antenatal consultations
- Have your blood pressure checked
- Discuss your baby’s movements
- Have your baby’s growth assessed
- Complete gestational diabetes screening
- Complete repeat blood tests where appropriate
- Review any new symptoms or concerns
- Arrange additional assessment if recommended
Looking Ahead to Birth
The third trimester brings greater focus to preparing for labour, understanding your birth options and making practical preparations for your baby’s arrival.
During This Period, You May:
- Attend increasingly frequent appointments
- Discuss your birth preferences
- Review vaginal and Caesarean birth options
- Discuss VBAC where relevant
- Consider pain relief preferences
- Talk about breastfeeding preparation
- Prepare for your hospital admission
- Complete Group B Streptococcus screening where appropriate
Preparing for Your Baby’s Arrival
Appointments generally become more frequent as your due date approaches, allowing your care plan to be reviewed as you get closer to labour.
During This Period, You May:
- Attend regular late pregnancy appointments
- Discuss your baby’s movements and position
- Review your final birth preferences
- Learn about signs of labour
- Discuss when to contact or attend hospital
- Discuss induction where clinically appropriate
- Confirm Caesarean arrangements where planned
- Ask final questions before birth
Birth, Recovery & Postnatal Care
Your care continues through labour and birth, followed by support for your physical recovery and transition into the postnatal period.
Around Birth, Care May Involve:
- Labour assessment
- Monitoring during labour
- Vaginal, assisted or Caesarean birth as clinically appropriate
- Coordination with the hospital maternity team
- Management of any unexpected obstetric concerns
Following Birth, You May Receive:
- In hospital postnatal review
- Recovery guidance
- Maternal health assessment
- Breastfeeding or lactation support referral
- Emotional wellbeing discussion
- Contraception discussion
- Postnatal recovery advice
- Follow up consultation at approximately six weeks