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Typical Schedule for Prenatal Visits and Tests in Australia and New Zealand
To ensure the health of you and your baby, you need to schedule regular visits to your midwife or doctor during your pregnancy. Use this guideline for making your appointments and understanding tests that may be offered through your pregnancy if giving birth in Australia or New Zealand.
Note: If you have health issues or develop problems during pregnancy, you may need to see your midwife or doctor more often than the schedule outlined here.
| Stage of pregnancy | Details of visit and tests |
|---|---|
| 6 to 12 weeks | Visit your local midwife or GP for a pregnancy test and prenatal screening. Blood tests to check your health and wellbeing and identify any risks to the baby. Mid stream urine sample to check for symptomless urinary tract infections. A dating ultrasound may be advised if you’re unsure of the first day of your last menstrual period or date of conception |
| 11 to 13 weeks | Nuchal translucency scan (using ultra sound) to screen for chromosomal abnormalities in the baby. Blood tests for free ßhcg and PAPP-A may be recommended for use in conjunction with scan |
| 10 to 14 weeks | Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) may be offered if you’re at high risk of the baby having a chromosomal abnormality |
| 15 to 20 weeks (ideal time 16 weeks) | Triple or Quadruple test to screen for Down syndrome and neural tube defects. Amniocentesis to screen for chromosomal abnormalities in the baby in women with an increased risk |
| 18 to 20 weeks | Morphology ultrasound to look for abnormalities in the baby, placenta or amniotic fluid |
| 18 to 20 weeks | First visit at the hospital clinic or with your private midwife or obstetrician |
| 24 to 26 weeks | Regular check up with a midwife, GP or obstetrician |
| 24 to 28 weeks | Glucose tolerance test to check for gestational diabetes in women at increased risk |
| 28 weeks | Full blood count to check for anaemia. Blood group and antibodies test to monitor women with a negative blood group for antibodies in their blood |
| 28 to 30 weeks | Regular check up with a midwife, GP or obstetrician |
| 32 to 33 weeks | Regular check up with a midwife, GP or obstetrician |
| 36 weeks | Regular check up with hospital staff, midwife or obstetrician*. Group B strep swab to screen for the Group B Streptococcus bacteria in the vagina or anus |
| 38 weeks | Regular check up with hospital staff, midwife or doctor |
| 40 weeks | Regular check up with hospital staff, midwife or doctor |
| 41 weeks | Regular check up with hospital staff, midwife or doctor |
| 42 weeks | Postdates visit with hospital staff, midwife or doctor |
* If seeing a shared-care GP, you generally start being seen at a hospital from 36 weeks.
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Medical Abbreviations Commonly Used during Pregnancy in Australia and New Zealand
To help you understand terms used throughout your pregnancy while at doctor’s visits, touring the hospital, and during labor and delivery, learn these medical abbreviations used in Australia and New Zealand, and what they mean:
| Abbreviation | What it stands for |
|---|---|
| AFP | Alpha-fetoprotein |
| APH | Antepartum Haemorrhage |
| ARM | Artificial Rupture of Membranes |
| BP | Blood Pressure |
| CTG | Cardiotocograph |
| CVS | Chorionic Villus Sampling |
| EBM | Expressed Breast Milk |
| EDC or EDD | Estimated Date of Confinement or Estimated Due Date |
| FHS | Fetal Heart Sounds |
| G | Gravida |
| HSV | Herpes Simplex Virus |
| LGA | Large for Gestational Age |
| LMP | Last Menstrual Period |
| PE | Pre eclampsia |
| P | Parity |
| PP | Presenting Part |
| PPH | Postpartum Haemorrhage |
| SGA | Small for Gestational Age |
| VE | Vaginal Examination |
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Items for Your Labour and Delivery in Australia and New Zealand
During your pregnancy, pack portable items you’re likely to need for your labour, birth and hospital stay in a bag and keep it in a handy place or in your car. For your trip to the hospital in Australia or New Zealand you need:
A camera and video camera (don’t forget your chargers)
Copy of your birth plan
Drinks — fruit juice, soup, tea or water
Face cloth — ideal to cool your neck and face
Health insurance information and Medicare card — Australia only
Hot pack/hot water bottle/wheat pack
Large T-shirt (much more comfortable than a hospital gown)
Light nourishing food for you and support people
Lip balm or lanolin
Lollies such as barley sugar
Massage oil — almond, olive or vegetable oil
Maternity pads and several pairs of underpants
Mobile phone and charger
Pillows (in case of a shortage or restriction)
Pregnancy hand-held record
Radio, CE or mp3 player, if you find music relaxing
Socks to warm cold feet
Swimmers for your partner to wear when assisting you under the shower or in the spa
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Important Milestones in Your Baby’s Development through Pregnancy
As your baby’s develops through your pregnancy, certain milestones are hit along the way. Here’s a summary of your baby’s development from conception to birth:
| Week | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 3 | Baby is known as an embryo. |
| 9 | Baby is known as a fetus. |
| 12 | Baby begins to move (though you won’t feel the movement). Placenta is fully functional. |
| 14 | Second trimester begins. |
| 16 | Baby’s main organs are now completely formed. Colostrum (the first breast milk) is present. |
| 20 | Baby’s movements can be felt (though you might feel movement earlier). |
| 24 | Baby’s eyes open. |
| 28 | Third trimester begins. Baby can hear sounds and voices. |
| 37 | Baby’s development is complete. Baby is getting ready for birth. |
| 40 | Estimated due date |
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Eating Well and Keeping Fit and Healthy While Pregnant
During your pregnancy, ensuring you eat well and keep active is vital. Keep in mind that no single food can satisfy all of your nutritional needs and that nutritionists recommend a well-balanced diet. Here’s a guide to understanding the healthy eating and exercising recommendations while you’re pregnant:
Food variety is the key. Variety in your diet helps ensure that you receive enough of the essential nutrients, and people who eat a wide variety of foods are healthier, live longer and have protection from some diseases. Nutrition Australia recommends you aim to eat around 20 to 30 different nutritious foods each day. Choose foods from each food group, paying particular attention to the plant-based groups (fruits, vegetables and cereals).
You need an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals during pregnancy, particularly calcium, iodine, iron, sodium and Omega 3 fatty acids.
Fruits and vegetables aren’t just a good source of vitamins and minerals; they’re also high in dietary fibre, which is very important during pregnancy to help reduce constipation. Vegetables are high in vitamins A and C and folate, as well as iron. Fruits, too, contain healthy amounts of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium.
Breads and cereals provide complex carbohydrates, which are long-lasting energy sources. Grains are also a good source of vitamins, minerals and fibre. Choose whole grains when possible.
Foods rich in protein and calcium include meat, chicken, fish, eggs and milk products, such as cheese, yoghurt and, of course, milk. Eat moderate amounts of these foods.
Cut back on fats, oils and sugar. Foods containing these yummy but less nutritional substances include chocolate, lollies, many desserts, butter, mayonnaise and salad dressings. Look for low-fat varieties of these foods in your supermarket, but remember that even though they may be lower in fat, they often still contain lots of sugar.
If you’ve a moderate exercise routine, continue on. If you’ve been pretty sedentary, don’t suddenly plunge into a strenuous program — ease in slowly.
Forms of exercise that are usually safe to continue through pregnancy include pregnancy, low-impact or water aerobics, cycling, swimming and yoga. Avoid exercising flat on your back for long periods of time — doing so may reduce blood flow to your heart — and listen to your body. Modify your program according to what you can reasonably tolerate.
Try not to overheat or become dehydrated while exercising during pregnancy and, if you feel fatigued, dizzy, faint or nauseous, stop. If you experience contractions, vaginal bleeding or any significant pain, also stop exercising immediately and call your doctor or midwife.
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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/pregnancy-for-dummies-cheat-sheet-australianew-zea.html
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