Antenatal

Throughout your pregnancy you will have regular assessments to ascertain that you and baby are well.  This is the time to get answers to any questions or worries, and to discuss plans for your baby’s birth. 

Antenatal care with our specialists will be on a monthly basis until 28 weeks, then two weekly until 36 weeks, and finally weekly until the onset of labour.  If a midwife is involved with your care we would be happy to alternate visits with her. 

The first half of the pregnancy is a time to check for potential problems with blood testing and ultrasound scans.  We recommend the following tests. Do not hesitate to ask what each test means.  The choice is yours and you will have all the relevant information to help you make up your mind before the test is actually undertaken. 

Anaemia

A full blood count is undertaken to test the haemoglobin in the red blood cells.  Anaemia can make you feel very tired.  If you are anaemic you will be offered iron supplements and advice on diet. 

Blood Group and Antibodies

This test tells us whether your blood group is Rhesus positive or negative, and whether you have any antibodies (foreign blood proteins). If you are Rhesus negative (Rh negative), you will be offered a blood test to check for antibodies during the course of the pregnancy. A rising level of Rhesus antibodies could indicate the baby has been affected by Rhesus disease.

Prophylactic antenatal use of Anti-D Immunoglobulin in Rhesus negative women is now accepted clinical practice in many western countries including Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom at 28 and 34 weeks gestation. We are the only obstetric practice in Christchurch to offer routine prophylactic antenatal Anti-D (c 2015) to pregnant women in Christchurch.

Rhesus disease is generally preventable with prophylactic Anti-D administration.
Download Anti-D Request Form

Rubella

This test is offered to check your immunity.  Most women have been protected by routine rubella vaccinations given during childhood, but if you are not immune, you will be advised to be immunised after the birth.

Hepatitis B

The hepatitis virus affects the liver.  If you are a carrier of the virus or have become infected during pregnancy, you will be advised to have your baby immunised at birth to avoid infection.

VDRL

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease and can seriously damage your baby if left untreated.  If detected, treatment can be offered with antibiotics to control the infection and to help protect your baby.

HIV (Human Immuno Deficiency Virus)

The Human Immuno Deficiency virus affects the baby’s ability to fight infection.  This test is important because any woman can be risk.  It can be passed on to your baby during pregnancy, at birth or through breast feeding.  Treatment given in pregnancy can greatly reduce the risk of infection from mother to child. 

Blood tests are normally performed at the first booking visit and repeated round 28 weeks of pregnancy.  On the latter occasion blood testing will include screening tests for diabetes that may have developed during the pregnancy.  Treatment introduced at this time will minimise the risk of any harm coming to your baby and reduce the chances of macrosomia (a very large baby) developing.