What to expect throughout your pregnancy.

At Auckland Obstetric Centre, we believe in a collaborative, team-based approach to maternity care. Our experienced obstetricians work closely together, combining their expertise to provide the highest standard of support throughout your pregnancy journey. During your antenatal care, you will have the opportunity to meet each of our specialists, helping you feel comfortable and confident with the doctor who will support you during birth.

Our comprehensive care package is designed to give you peace of mind, covering your pregnancy, birth, and postnatal care regardless of how your journey progresses. This also includes postnatal midwifery visits and your six-week follow-up appointment, ensuring continued care and support during your recovery.

We offer clinic appointments Monday to Friday, and we warmly welcome your partner or a family/whānau member to attend with you. We are committed to supporting you in making informed decisions and believe that pregnancy care is a partnership built on trust, communication, and personalised care.

We encourage you to book with us as early as possible. As appointment availability fills quickly, contacting us soon after a positive pregnancy test helps secure your place and allows us to provide continuity of care throughout your pregnancy.

It is recommended that you make contact early in pregnancy, ideally as soon as you receive a positive test result. Your first appointment is usually scheduled between 10.3 and 12 weeks’ gestation. This allows time to establish your care, confirm your estimated due date, and discuss your preferences for pregnancy and birth.

At this initial consultation, your obstetrician will take a comprehensive medical history, arrange any necessary investigations, and begin planning your care. If blood tests have not already been organised by your GP, these will be arranged at this stage. Early pregnancy blood tests typically include your blood group, iron levels, infection screening, and immunity status.

You will also be offered screening options for chromosomal conditions, including combined first trimester screening or non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). For further information, please refer to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG)

Link: Prenatal Screening

The first trimester is often associated with symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, and breast tenderness. Nausea may occur at any time of the day and can vary in severity. Many women find they require more rest than usual during this time. While these symptoms can be challenging, they generally begin to improve towards the end of the first trimester.

You will be advised to take folic acid and iodine supplements. Folic acid supports early spinal and brain development, while iodine is essential for your baby’s neurological development and should be continued throughout pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

The second trimester is often a more comfortable stage of pregnancy. Energy levels typically improve, and your pregnancy will become more visibly apparent as your abdomen grows. You may begin to feel your baby’s movements between 18 and 22 weeks; these movements are an important indicator of your baby’s wellbeing.

During this stage, appointments are generally scheduled every four weeks. These visits provide an opportunity to monitor your baby’s growth, address any concerns, and guide you through decisions as your pregnancy progresses.

Between 18 and 22 weeks’ gestation, a detailed anatomy scan is recommended. This ultrasound is an important assessment of your baby’s development, including the brain, heart, spine, and other organs, as well as the position of the placenta.

At approximately 26 to 28 weeks, further blood tests are arranged to screen for gestational diabetes and anaemia. Your obstetrician will discuss the results with you and arrange any necessary follow-up care.

This stage of pregnancy is also an appropriate time to begin preparing for birth. Many women choose to attend antenatal classes during the second trimester.

As you enter the third trimester, your care becomes more frequent and increasingly focused on preparing for birth. Appointments are usually scheduled every two weeks, increasing to weekly visits from approximately 36 weeks’ gestation.

We will arrange a longer consultation between 35 – 37 weeks’ gestation to discuss your birth plan in detail. This includes your preferences for labour, pain management, and a discussion about what to expect during labour and delivery. Partners are encouraged to attend this appointment where possible.

Your baby’s movements will become stronger and more regular during this stage. Rather than formally counting movements, it is important to become familiar with your baby’s usual pattern. Any noticeable decrease or change in movements should be assessed promptly.

Your obstetrician will continue to monitor your baby’s position and discuss what this may mean for your birth. If your baby is not in a head-down position, options such as an external cephalic version or a planned caesarean birth may be considered.

Screening for Group B Streptococcus is offered between 35 and 37 weeks’ gestation. If the result is positive, antibiotics are recommended during labour to reduce the risk of infection for your baby.

Sleep can become more disrupted in late pregnancy, and many women find it helpful to rest during the day when needed. From around 28 weeks onwards, sleeping on your side is recommended.

For further detailed information, please refer to the Safer Sleep Guidelines New Zealand College of Midwives patient resources:

Link: Sleeping on your side in pregnancy