At your first visit your obstetrician will take your medical history, review your blood test results, explain and discuss the options of further screening of your pregnancy, and of course discuss any concerns or wishes that you may have. An ultrasound will be performed and your doctor will confirm your due date or estimated date of confinement (EDC).

What to bring
At this visit you will need to bring with you, your referral from your GP, your Medicare and Private Health Fund cards, along with any blood test or ultrasound results that you may have already had through you General Practitioner. 

Every attempt will be made to see you at your appointed time. However, if a delivery or other complex problem occurs during consultation times, there will be delays. If this occurs, you are welcome to wait, or make an alternative appointment. It is always wise to confirm the timing of your appointment an hour before attending the practice.

Your appointment schedule
Following your first visit your doctor will see you monthly until 28 weeks, then fortnightly until 36 weeks, and then weekly until the time of your delivery. Your husband, partner or support person is most welcome to attend your visits and of course, the birth of your baby. You may also wish to involve others close to you, although this is entirely up to you. At 28 weeks your doctor will organise a test for diabetes and check your blood count. At about 36 weeks a vaginal swab will be taken to confirm that you are not a carrier of group B streptococcus, potentially dangerous bacteria in labour carried by around 15% of women. If you do test positive, both you and your baby will receive antibiotics during labour and delivery.