Your Pregnancy Test is Positive - Congratulations! We understand that this is an exciting yet sometimes overwhelming time. Our experienced doctors at Walker Street Doctors are here to guide you through every step of your pregnancy journey, ensuring you receive the support you need from the very beginning.

What Happens at Your First Pregnancy Appointment?

1. Confirming Your Pregnancy

At Walker Street Doctors, we provide comprehensive early pregnancy care that begins with confirming your pregnancy through detailed testing. While home pregnancy tests are highly reliable, we conduct thorough blood tests to ensure we have a complete picture of your health as you embark on this important journey. These tests include:

• Pregnancy Hormone Levels (bHCG): Confirms your pregnancy.
• Complete Blood Count: Checks for anemia.
• Iron Studies: Identifies deficiencies, especially common in later pregnancy.
• Vitamin B12 Levels: Critical for healthy fetal development.
• Immunity Status: Checks rubella and chickenpox immunity.
• Vitamin D Levels: Important for maternal and fetal bone health.
• Thyroid Function: Crucial for early fetal brain development.
• Blood Group and Antibodies.

These comprehensive tests provide a clear picture of your health status and allow us to address any nutritional or health needs early in your pregnancy.

2. Essential Health Checks

During your first appointment, we conduct a thorough health assessment, including:

• A detailed review of your medical history, including any previous pregnancies.
• Discussion of current medications and their safety during pregnancy.
• Evaluation of any symptoms you're experiencing, including “morning” sickness, which may start around 7 weeks gestation.
• Blood pressure and weight monitoring.
• Family history review to identify any potential genetic concerns.
• Lifestyle discussion, including work, exercise, and dietary habits.
• Mental health check to ensure appropriate support throughout your pregnancy.

3. First Trimester Screening and Scanning

Modern prenatal care offers a range of sophisticated screening options to provide you with detailed information about your pregnancy and your baby's health. Let's explore each option in detail:

Dating Ultrasound

• Ideally performed from 7 weeks of pregnancy.
• Earlier scans may not show the crucial flicker of the fetal heartbeat.
• Pregnancy dating is calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period.

This scan is particularly important if:

• You're unsure of your last menstrual period date.
• You have irregular cycles.
• You've recently been on hormonal contraception.

The scan provides:

• Confirmation of pregnancy viability.
• Accurate dating for your pregnancy.
• Number of fetuses present.
• Location of pregnancy (excluding ectopic pregnancy).

Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)

Percept NIPT offers screening for chromosomal conditions, available from 10 weeks of pregnancy. This advanced blood test:

• Screens for common chromosomal conditions, including Trisomy.
• Provides information about fetal sex if desired.
• Has a higher detection rate than traditional screening methods.
• Is a non-invasive test using a simple maternal blood sample.
• Can be performed earlier than traditional screening methods.

Reproductive Carrier Screening

Prepair is a sophisticated genetic test that identifies if you carry genes for certain inherited conditions. This Medicare-funded option tests for Cystic Fibrosis, Fragile X, and Spinal Muscular Atrophy, starting with the female partner. If testing is positive, your partner is also tested.

Prepair + is the expanded carrier screening test for 250 genetic conditions, involving both partners. Testing costs around $900 and can be done before or during pregnancy, ideally before. This helps inform future pregnancy planning and allows for early intervention if needed.

Pregnancy Vaccinations

Vaccination during pregnancy helps protect both you and your baby from serious infections during the first months of life. We routinely recommend vaccinating against flu, whooping cough & RSV during pregnancy:

Influenza (Flu) Vaccine

The influenza vaccine is recommended during every pregnancy and can be given at any stage of pregnancy. It helps protect you from severe flu illness and provides antibodies that help protect your baby after birth. We recommend this to all other household members too, including anyone who will be around your newborn baby.

Whooping Cough (Boostrix®)

The whooping cough vaccine is recommended between 20 and 32 weeks of pregnancy during every pregnancy, regardless of if you have previously received the whooping cough vaccine before. Vaccination helps protect newborn babies during the period before they receive their first routine vaccinations. This is also recommended for anyone who will meet your newborn too if they haven’t received it within the last 10 years, ideally 2 weeks prior to meeting bub.  

RSV (Abrysvo®)

The RSV vaccine is recommended between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy during every pregnancy. It helps protect babies from severe RSV infection during their first months of life. Family members do not routinely need this; however, grandparents may be eligible for a funded RSV vaccine (discuss eligibility with your doctor).

“Babies whose mothers had Abrysvo® during pregnancy were 70% less likely to be hospitalised with RSV.”

These vaccines are safe, effective, and can often be given during your routine antenatal appointments, or with our Practice Nurses. Our doctors and nurses can discuss the recommended timing and answer any questions you may have. All vaccines should be given 2 weeks prior to the delivery of your baby, to ensure effective coverage for you and baby.

Take the Next Step 

At Walker Street Doctors, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate care for you and your baby. If you have received a positive pregnancy test, book your appointment today for expert guidance and support throughout your pregnancy journey, to ensure you receive the exceptional care you deserve!