Obstetrics
At Northwest Women's Health, obstetric services are provided by Dr George Hardas, Dr Alexander Chen, and Dr Edmund Gomez. All three obstetricians are experienced and highly skilled in managing both high and low risk pregnancies.
Expert care will be provided and you will be guided through your pregnancy, labour, birth and the newborn period with compassion.
Your obstetrician will work with a team of experienced midwives at the practice who assist in providing care during your pregnancy.
Obstetric services are provided at the following hospitals:
Hospitals Serviced
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Pregnancy Care - 1st trimester
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Pregnancy is an exciting time in your life. Dr Hardas is a skilled obstetrician with more than 20 years experience in managing high and low risk pregnancies. Dr Chen has trained in the largest tertiary obstetric hospitals in both Sydney and Melbourne managing both complex and low risk pregnancies with over 10 years of experience. Your obstetrician along with their team of expert midwives will provide care for you during your pregnancy. At the first consultation a detailed medical history will be taken and an ultrasound will be performed to confirm that your pregnancy is progressing normally. Routine antenatal blood tests including thyroid function, Vitamin D & iron levels will be ordered. A urine sample will be collected for analysis to check for protein, glucose and infection. Your obstetrician will discuss non-invasive testing for chromosomal disorders (such as Down Syndrome), They will arrange either a Nuchal Translucency (NT) ultrasound at about 12 weeks or a NIPS (non-invasive prenatal screen) which is performed after 10 weeks. You will be provided with general pregnancy advice such as nutrition, exercise and vitamin supplements. Booking into your preferred Maternity Unit as well as birth classes will be arranged. The frequency of visits is initially monthly and at each consultation you will have your blood pressure, weight and urine checked. Your obstetrician will perform an ultrasound at every consultation to check your baby's progress. |
Pregnancy Care - 2nd trimester
During the second trimester your obstetrician and their midwives will see you every 4 weeks to ensure that your pregnancy is progressing as expected.
If you are due for a pap smear (now replaced with the CST - cervical screening test) - this will usually be performed at about 14 weeks.
It is perfectly safe to have a CST during pregnancy. Your 18-20 week fetal morphology ultrasound (to check for abnormalities) will also be arranged.
A 2 hour glucose tolerance test at about 26 weeks to screen for gestational diabetes is recommended.
Your obstetrician will provide comprehensive management of gestational diabetes with an Endocrinologist (diabetes specialist) and dietitian - should this problem arise.
Pregnancy Care - 3rd trimester
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Your frequency of visits will increase; every 2 weeks until 36 weeks and weekly thereafter. This is because most pregnancy complications, such as high blood pressure, occur in the later stages of pregnancy. Your obstetrician will perform an ultrasound at 28 weeks to ensure that your baby is growing well. You will have blood tests repeated to check for anaemia. A low vaginal swab is usually collected at 36 weeks gestation to screen for Group B Streptococcus. The 3rd Trimester care focuses on the health of the baby, in order to have it in the best possible condition before birth. We have various ways of assessing the baby's wellbeing including CTG, ultrasound for growth and fetal welfare studies. Finally, your birth plan and delivery options will be discussed at length to cater for you individual choices. |
Post Natal Care
Your obstetrician will visit you regularly in hospital after birth to ensure that you are recovering normally and that breastfeeding is progressing well.
A Paediatrician will be appointed to care for your baby, and will see you both most days whilst you are in hospital.
A postnatal consultation with your obstetrician will be arranged at 6 weeks after the birth of your baby.
Feeding will be discussed, a pap smear will be taken if it is due, and your contraceptive options will be addressed.
