OBSTETRICS

Guiding you through each stage of pregnancy.

Dr Kwok is committed to providing the highest level of care and support through every stage of your pregnancy – in a friendly, compassionate and unhurried manner.

He will see you for your first visit between 7 and 9 weeks of pregnancy or earlier if required, every month until 28 weeks, and then every fortnight. From 36 weeks, you’ll have weekly appointments.

If there are any concerns, more frequent visits may be arranged. Dr Kwok is on call seven days a week and after hours for births and obstetric emergencies. He rarely takes weekends off-call.

YOUR CHECK-UPS

Your first appointment may take up to an hour, and involves a full history, physical check-up and an ultrasound to determine your due date and exclude ectopic pregnancy. Dr Kwok will address any concerns and questions, and advise you on diet, exercise and other important information. He will also talk about prenatal testing including the non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT), nuchal translucency ultrasound and reproductive genetic carrier testing.

Subsequent visits give you the opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns, as well as undergo a weight measurement, blood pressure measurement and ultrasound.

Discussions regarding your birth preferences take place in the second half of the pregnancy. Any particular wishes or concerns are discussed in an unhurried and supportive fashion.

More frequent visits are required at the end of the pregnancy to prepare for the birth.

Dr Kwok endeavours to start all antenatal appointments on time. Occasionally he is called out for an urgent delivery, in which case you will receive a phone call to postpone or re-arrange your appointment. We ask for your understanding as babies can come at any time!

TESTS AND SCREENING

Dr Kwok will guide you through the following tests.

Initial Blood Tests

INITIAL BLOOD TESTS

Full blood count (to check for anaemia)
Ferritin (iron levels)
Syphillis
Hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV
Rubella immunity
Blood group and antibody status
Varicella zoster
Parvovirus
Thyroid function test
Vitamin D

Reproductive Genetic Carrier Screening

REPRODUCTIVE GENETIC CARRIER SCREENING

Screening is now available for more than 150 conditions which may affect the unborn baby if both parents are carriers of a defective gene. These include cystic fibrosis, thalassaemia, spinal muscular atrophy and fragile X syndrome. This optional test can be carried out before conception, and if you are already pregnant, it should be done as early as possible. It is not yet covered by Medicare.

10 - 37 Weeks

10 - 37 WEEKS

10 or more Weeks

Non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) – a new and accurate blood test for sex, Down syndrome and trisomy 13 and 18 (optional).

12 Weeks

Nuchal translucency ultrasound – screening for Down syndrome (optional).

18-20 Weeks

Detailed morphology ultrasound – detects possible structural abnormalities and checks for placenta position and cervical length.

27 Weeks

Repeat full blood count, iron levels and diabetes blood test.

36-37 Weeks

Vaginal swab – screening for group B streptococcal carriage.

Vaccinations

VACCINATIONS

The NSW Department of Health recommends all pregnant women have the flu and whooping cough vaccinations during their pregnancy. These vaccinations are offered to Dr Kwok’s patients as a complimentary service in his rooms.

Find out more about Dr Adrian Kwok by getting in touch today. Call (02) 9929 8688 to arrange a consultation at his North Sydney rooms or submit an enquiry via the contact form.

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