An appointment with your Origins' obstetrician

During the course of your pregnancy, you will have around 12 antenatal appointments with your Origins' obstetrician. Additional visits may be necessary if you are expecting more than one baby, have a history of pregnancy problems or simply need extra reassurance.

Most women have their initial appointment with Origins when they are between eight and ten weeks pregnant. This appointment is up to an hour long, allowing plenty of time to talk through your wishes and concerns.
Routine appointments include a weight check, urine test and blood pressure check. You'll have around 15 minutes with your obstetrician. During this time, he will perform a quick ultrasound scan so that you can see your baby. Both obstetricians have ultrasound scanners in their surgeries.
Week 36 requires a half hour appointment, so that you can create a written birth plan with your obstetrician. This plan covers off details such as whether you want an epidural, what to do with the placenta, who your support people will be and more.

Your first appointment with Origins

If your GP has ordered your first antenatal blood tests, please bring a copy of the results to your first appointment or ask your GP to fax them to us on 630 8271. Make a list of points you'd like to discuss with us. Topics might include:

The type of birth experience you'd like to have i.e. natural with no pain relief, epidural to minimise pain, elective caesarean.
Individual risk factors. These could include your age, health problems or inherited disorders that run in your family.
The facilities at National Women's Hospital, recommended antenatal classes, recommended reading.
Meeting the other Origins' obstetrician, bringing your partner to appointments, who to call when you have a question or concern between appointments.
Previous pregnancy experiences - good and bad.
Which screening and diagnostic tests you'd like to have.
Any other fears or concerns that you need to get out in the open.