From the first test
to the first months.
Planning a pregnancy, early pregnancy visits, vaccines, and postnatal checks for you and your baby, with a GP who knows your family. Female GPs are available. Bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.
Good to know before you book.
Positive test? Book in early
An early visit confirms your pregnancy, checks your health and starts the right referrals and tests.
Early care gives you time to plan where you will have your baby.
Book an early pregnancy visit (opens HotDoc in a new tab)Female GPs available
Dr Sasikala (Sasi) Hariharan and Dr Prishantha Sirisena are female GPs with an interest in pregnancy care.
Choose either when you book online.
Book with Dr HariharanVaccines in pregnancy
Whooping cough, flu and RSV vaccines are recommended in pregnancy and are free for eligible people.
They protect you and give your baby protection in the first months.
Read about pregnancy vaccinesTwo checks, one visit
Your postnatal check and your baby's six-week check can often be booked together.
Ask reception for a longer appointment for you both.
Call to book: (02) 6543 8424
Find the care that fits.
Choose a topic to see what is involved, the questions people ask most, and how to book.
A good time to see us is before you start.
A preconception visit lets you start folate at least a month before conception, check immunity to infections such as rubella and chickenpox in time to vaccinate, review your medicines, and catch up on cervical screening if it is due.
It is also a chance to talk about weight, alcohol, smoking and any health conditions, so you start pregnancy in good shape.
- Book a preconception visit
- Talk it through with your GP
- Tests, treatment or referral if needed
- Follow-up and review
When should I start folate?
At least a month before conception and through the first trimester.
What about my medicines?
Bring everything, including supplements. Do not stop anything on your own; your GP will review what is safe.
Your first pregnancy visit.
Your GP can confirm your pregnancy, check your health, arrange blood tests and the first ultrasound, and talk you through screening options for your baby. Together you can plan where you will have your baby and who will look after your pregnancy care.
Nausea, tiredness and worry are common in early pregnancy. Your GP can help with all of it.
- Book an early pregnancy visit
- Talk it through with your GP
- Tests, treatment or referral if needed
- Follow-up and review
In early pregnancy, do not wait. Severe one-sided pain, shoulder-tip pain, heavy bleeding, dizziness or fainting need urgent assessment. Call 000 or go to the emergency department.
When should I book my first visit?
As soon as you know you are pregnant, ideally in the first 6 to 8 weeks.
What tests are offered?
Usually blood tests, a dating ultrasound and screening options for chromosomal conditions. Your GP will explain each one so you can decide.
Protection for two.
A whooping cough vaccine is recommended in every pregnancy, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks, and the flu vaccine can be given at any stage. An RSV vaccine is also free for eligible pregnant people from 28 to 36 weeks, to help protect babies in their first months.
These vaccines are free for eligible people under the National Immunisation Program, and can be given at the surgery.
- Book a pregnancy vaccine
- Talk it through with your GP
- Tests, treatment or referral if needed
- Follow-up and review
Are pregnancy vaccines safe?
Vaccines recommended in pregnancy have been widely studied. Your GP can answer your questions and help you decide.
Do I need whooping cough vaccine if I had it last pregnancy?
Yes. It is recommended in every pregnancy, because protection passed to the baby fades.
Looking after you both.
Your postnatal check covers your recovery, bleeding, pelvic floor, feeding, sleep, contraception and how you are feeling. Your baby's six-week check looks at growth, development, hips, heart and eyes, and is the first of the regular immunisation visits.
Adjusting to a new baby is a big change. It is common to feel overwhelmed, and your GP is a good place to start if you are struggling.
- Book a postnatal check
- Talk it through with your GP
- Tests, treatment or referral if needed
- Follow-up and review
When is the postnatal check?
Usually around six weeks after birth, and earlier if you have any concerns.
Can we book both checks together?
Often, yes. Ask reception for a longer appointment for you and your baby.
It is okay to not be okay.
Anxiety and depression during pregnancy and after birth are common, and treatable. Signs include feeling low or anxious most of the time, not enjoying things, trouble sleeping even when you can, or thoughts that frighten you.
Partners can be affected too. Talking to your GP is a good first step, and support can include counselling, a mental health treatment plan and parent support services.
- Book a wellbeing appointment
- Talk it through with your GP
- Tests, treatment or referral if needed
- Follow-up and review
Is it just the baby blues?
Baby blues usually ease within two weeks. If low mood or anxiety lasts longer, or is getting worse, talk to your GP.
Where can I get support now?
PANDA, the Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia helpline, is on 1300 726 306. In an emergency, call 000.
The numbers worth knowing.
Key facts about screening and care, at a glance.
20to 32
Weeks for the whooping cough vaccine
Recommended in every pregnancy.
28to 36
Weeks for the RSV vaccine
Free for eligible pregnant people.
6weeks
Postnatal check
For you and your baby, often together.
What is due at your age?
Australia's screening programs start at different ages and run on different timeframes. Move the slider to see what generally applies.
40years
General information about Australian programs, not a personal plan. Talk it through with your GP.
Everyone involved, around you.
Your care can involve more than one person. Choose a part of your care team to see how it fits together.
Your care team
Your GP
Pregnancy care and checks, and postnatal care for you and your baby.
Meet the GPsYour care team
Hospital and midwives
Where you plan to give birth, working alongside your GP.
Your care team
Pathology and ultrasound
Blood tests and scans arranged by your GP.
Pathology and blood testsYour care team
Support services
PANDA on 1300 726 306 and Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436.
Your pregnancy, step by step.
- Folate and vaccines
- Medicine review
- Cervical screening if due
- Health check
- Confirm pregnancy
- Blood tests and dating scan
- Screening options
- Plan your pregnancy care
- Routine checks
- Morphology ultrasound
- Whooping cough vaccine from 20 weeks
- Glucose test
- RSV vaccine from 28 weeks if eligible
- Routine checks
- Birth planning
- Feeding questions
- Postnatal check
- Baby's six-week check
- Contraception
- Wellbeing and support
GPs with an interest in pregnancy care.
These GPs list pregnancy, women's health or children's health among their interests. All are bulk billing GPs for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.
Female GP. Women's health including pregnancy care and family planning.
Book with this GP (opens HotDoc in a new tab)Female GP Registrar with experience in obstetrics and gynaecology, and women's and children's health.
Book with this GP (opens HotDoc in a new tab)Women's health and children's health.
Book with this GP (opens HotDoc in a new tab)Women's health and children's health.
Book with this GP (opens HotDoc in a new tab)
Make the most of your appointment.
A little preparation gives you and your GP more time for what matters to you.
What to bring
Your ticks are saved on this device only.
What your care will cost.
Pregnancy and postnatal GP consultations are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card. Vaccines recommended in pregnancy are free for eligible people. Some pathology and ultrasound can carry a cost, and you will be told before anything is ordered.
Bulk billed
GP consultations
GP consultations in pregnancy and after birth, for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.
Bulk billed
Free vaccines
Whooping cough, flu and RSV vaccines in pregnancy, for eligible people.
Set by the provider
Other providers
Pathology, ultrasound and specialists set their own fees. Medicare rebates may apply.
If things change between visits.
- Getting worse?(02) 6543 8424Call reception and tell them things have changed, so you can be seen at the right time.
- When we are closed1800 022 222healthdirect, for health advice any time of day or night. PANDA is on 1300 726 306.
- In an emergency000Heavy bleeding, or bleeding with pain, dizziness or fainting. The nearest emergency departments are at Muswellbrook and Scone hospitals.
Signs that need urgent help
- Heavy bleeding, or bleeding with pain, dizziness or fainting
- Severe one-sided abdominal pain or shoulder-tip pain in early pregnancy
- Your baby moving less than usual later in pregnancy. Contact your hospital maternity unit straight away
- Severe headache, vision changes or sudden swelling of the face or hands
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Antenatal and postnatal care questions, answered.
If yours is not here, call (02) 6543 8424 and reception will help.
When should I see a GP after a positive pregnancy test?
As soon as you can, ideally in the first 6 to 8 weeks, so tests and referrals can be arranged in good time.
Is pregnancy care bulk billed?
GP consultations are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card. Some pathology and ultrasound can carry a cost.
Can I see a female GP?
Yes. Dr Sasikala (Sasi) Hariharan and Dr Prishantha Sirisena are female GPs.
Which vaccines are recommended in pregnancy?
Whooping cough in every pregnancy, flu at any stage, and RSV for eligible people from 28 to 36 weeks. These are free for eligible people.
When is the six-week check?
Around six weeks after birth. Your postnatal check and your baby's check can often be booked together.
Nothing matches that. Try a broader word, or call reception on (02) 6543 8424.
Related reading and services.
- Planning and contraceptionService
- Children's healthService
- Women's healthService
- Mental health careService
- Our teamMeet the GPs
- All services37 services on Segenhoe Street
This page is general health information. It is not advice about your own situation and does not replace a consultation with your doctor. In an emergency, call 000.
Every step, close to home.
Book online any hour, or call reception from 8:00am, Monday to Friday. Bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.