Pregnancy Care in Point Cook

Getting ready to conceive

A pre-pregnancy visit reviews your general health, medicines and vaccinations. Folic acid and iodine supplements are recommended for most women from before conception and through early pregnancy. Immunity to rubella and chickenpox can be checked with a blood test, and cervical screening brought up to date.

General advice is to see a doctor after 12 months of trying without success if you are under 35, or after six months if you are 35 or older.

Habits that help before and during pregnancy

• Stopping smoking and avoiding alcohol
• Eating a varied diet, staying active and limiting caffeine
• Checking medicines and supplements with a GP or pharmacist
• Avoiding foods with a higher listeria risk, such as soft cheeses and deli meats
• Keeping up with dental care, as gums can become more sensitive

Confirming the pregnancy and early pregnancy care

Home urine tests are generally reliable from the day a period is missed, and a blood test can pick up pregnancy slightly earlier. After a positive result, a doctor can confirm the pregnancy and estimate the due date from the first day of your last period. Dorevitch Pathology collects samples at the clinic, so your early blood tests can be done without a separate trip, and a referral can be written for an ultrasound where one is needed. Bring a list of medicines and your questions, and a partner or support person if you like.

Choosing where to give birth

Booking early matters, as some hospitals fill their places quickly. Referral to a public hospital or a private obstetrician comes from the GP, who can also explain the optional screening tests offered at particular weeks, so you can decide which you want. Private obstetric care usually involves out-of-pocket costs, which are worth asking the obstetrician about early.

Long-term conditions and medicines

Diabetes, epilepsy, thyroid disease, high blood pressure, asthma and depression can all be managed in pregnancy, ideally with planning before conception. Some medicines need changing, while stopping others suddenly can be harmful, so talk to a doctor before making any change. A past pregnancy complication, miscarriage or difficulty conceiving is also worth raising early, as it may lead to a specialist referral.

Feelings, safety and early symptoms

Mixed feelings are common, even when a pregnancy is planned. Feeling low or anxious, being unsure about continuing the pregnancy, or not feeling safe at home are all things you can raise in confidence, and the GP can talk through options and refer you to support services.

Nausea, tiredness and tender breasts are normal early on. Being unable to keep fluids down, bleeding or strong abdominal pain need prompt medical attention, and an emergency needs 000.

Vaccines recommended in pregnancy

Influenza vaccine is recommended at any stage, whooping cough vaccine ideally between 20 and 32 weeks, and an RSV vaccine is offered later in pregnancy to protect the baby in its first months. These vaccines pass protective antibodies across the placenta, and all three are free for pregnant women under the National Immunisation Program. Ongoing check-ups are covered on the Antenatal Care page.

Fees and bulk billing

Out-of-pocket fees apply to most consultations, and each practitioner sets their own fees. Bulk billing is available with all our doctors for Veterans’ Affairs patients, pensioners over 65, childhood and adult immunisations and GP care plans. See our fees page or call reception before you book.

Other services

• Implanon Insertion and Removal
• IUD Insertion and Removal
• Contraception Advice
• Antenatal Care
• Fertility Management
• Birth Control
• Pre-Pregnancy Check
• Infertility Management