Introduction

As a group practice, we have a team approach, sharing expertise and patient care. As a patient, we encourage you to meet all the AOC obstetricians during your antenatal visits. This ensures that you will have met the doctor looking after you during your delivery.

We offer a set fee, which is all-inclusive, regardless of pregnancy complications or how your baby is born. Our fee also includes postnatal midwifery visits and your six week postnatal check-up. The fee for full pregnancy care can be paid by instalments during your pregnancy.

We have clinics every day of the week and can usually change appointment times for you at short notice if you are unable to leave work or have problems with childcare. Children are always welcome at AOC and we have a play area with lots of toys to keep young toddlers happy.

When you come to visit us at AOC you are welcome to bring your partner or members of your family. We will help you to make informed decisions. We recognise that pregnancy care is very much a partnership.

You may book at AOC at any stage of pregnancy, either for full pregnancy care or for a one-off consultation.

If you have a problem during your pregnancy and you are seeing another caregiver, then we are happy to accept referrals for one-off consultations.

When you book with us for full pregnancy care you will see us between 10 and 15 times during your pregnancy. You will visit us monthly until 30 weeks and then fortnightly until 36 weeks. From 36 weeks until birth (usually at about 40 weeks) you will visit us once a week.

If there are any concerns about your pregnancy then we can see you as often as necessary. One of our specialists is always on call and a second specialist is available as a back up. If you call our number outside of clinic hours your call will be put through to the on call specialist for advice. We are available every hour of the day every day of the week.

First Trimester

When you phone AOC to make a booking we will usually arrange your first consultation for about your 8th to 9th week. As the initial appointment is 45 minutes please contact us early in your pregnancy to ensure a booking.

You are most welcome to arrange a first appointment earlier in your pregnancy, particularly if you are concerned about miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or any other early pregnancy problems.

At your booking visit we will discuss your medical history, general health and answer your questions about antenatal care. We will also arrange for you to have an initial set of antenatal screening bloods (see medical tests in pregnancy) and discuss other screening tests you may wish to have.

Most women at this stage feel tired and experience "morning sickness", which may occur through much of the day. You may also find you need to go to sleep much earlier than usual. Some women also experience constipation and breast tenderness. Don't worry: most of these symptoms subside and you will "glow" as your first trimester symptoms start to settle.

Second Trimester

Most women are aware of a "bump" from about 12 to 14 weeks after their last period but at first it may only be obvious at the end of the day. By 18 to 20 weeks most women should have started to feel baby moving.

During the second trimester there are some screening tests that many women opt to have. These include screening tests for Down Syndrome that comprise a nuchal translucency scan at 11 to 14 weeks and a blood test at 14 to 18 weeks. These two tests can be done on their own or as an "integrated test" that takes the risk assessment from both tests to produce a more reliable result. For more information see medical tests in pregnancy.

At 18 to 20 weeks most women have an anatomy scan to check baby's heart, spine, brain and other important organs. This scan also checks that the placenta is in the right place and that baby has grown appropriately.

At this stage we are only seeing you every four weeks but there is no need to save all your queries for your clinic visits. You can call us between appointments with any questions or concerns that you might have. If you are planning to attend antenatal classes it is worth booking them now as they fill up quickly (click here for contact details of antenatal class providers).

At 26 weeks you will have a second set of blood tests to screen for diabetes (the polycose test), anaemia and blood group antibodies.

If you are travelling at this time do check that your insurance covers problems in pregnancy as most insurance companies will not cover you after 28 weeks.

You will need to start planning when you will cut back or stop working.

Third Trimester

During the third trimester we are seeing you in clinic every two weeks and then weekly from 35 weeks. We are checking for problems such as high blood pressure but also answering any questions you have. At about 35 weeks we put aside an appointment to discuss your birth plan and make sure we know how you wish to be cared for during labour. We are very keen for your partner to attend this appointment.

Baby's movements may start to follow more of a pattern with movements being more marked in the evening or at bedtime (yours - not baby's!). Many women aren't sleeping well at this time so make time for a rest during the day. Do call if you are worried that baby is moving less often or you experience any abdominal pains or bleeding.

Women with Disabilities

As a group we have looked after many pregnant women with vision or hearing impairment or mobility problems. Sometimes it has been a learning experience for us but always it has been a privilege to be part of their pregnancy care. Do talk to us if you are concerned that these issues may make pregnancy care and delivery a problem for you. Our clinic is on the ground floor of the Birth care building with easy wheelchair access.