Patients should have their 1st visit at 8 – 10 weeks gestation calculated from the 1st day of their last menstrual period. The expected date of confinement (EDD) is calculated by adding 9 calendar months and 7 days to the date of the last normal menstrual period. At this 1st visit an obstetric and medical history is obtained and an examination carried out. There will be an opportunity to discuss the future management of the pregnancy and to answer any questions you may have. If there are any doubts as to the dates or if any bleeding has occurred, an ultrasound scan can be done at this time.
Subsequent visits are initially every 4 weeks and you should bring a specimen of urine for testing for sugar and protein which allows checking for bladder infection or pre eclampsia. You will be weighed at each visit as a guide to weight gain during the pregnancy which on average should be 12 – 13 kilograms for the entire pregnancy. Your blood pressure will be checked and the abdomen palpated to assess the growth and presentation of the baby. Other examinations may be necessary if you have problems but in general would not be required. Visits are fortnightly from 28 weeks and weekly from 36 weeks gestation.