Ideally, your first consultation should be 7-8 weeks after your last menstrual period. In order to accurately estimate your delivery date, Ken will ask you the first day of your last menstrual period, details about the regularity of your menstrual cycle, when contraception was ceased and the dates of any positive or negative pregnancy tests. If IVF was used to conceive, the date of embryo transfer is important. Ken will also ask about your general health and family medical history.

A general physical examination will be performed, including checking blood pressure and weight, and usually a bedside ultrasound.  If a pap smear is overdue, this will be performed (this does not jeopardise a healthy pregnancy).  At this visit any blood tests that your GP has arranged will be reviewed.  Further blood tests may be necessary and these will be discussed together with arrangements for further ultrasounds.

Ken delivers at 2 hospitals, Kareena Private and Sutherland Hospital and you will be given the booking paperwork for the hospital of your choice at 15 weeks.

Miscarriage

This common event is often both sad and frustrating. Fifteen percent of women with a diagnosed pregnancy will suffer loss of the pregnancy typically during the first 10 weeks. In most of these cases the pregnancy never developed into a normal fetus (e.g. no heartbeat detected). Pregnancy loss after 12 weeks is  less common (1.5%).

Options for counselling include: 
Sands Support and Aim for Hope Counselling