COA CARE

As a group practice, we have a team approach, sharing expertise and patient care.  As a patient we encourage you to meet all the COA obstetricians during your antenatal visits.  This ensures that, prior to your delivery, you will have met the doctor who will be responsible for managing the labour and birth.

We offer a set fee, which is all inclusive, regardless of pregnancy complications or method of delivery.  A small fee is made for the additional investigation of amniocentesis, if it is indicated as a result of antenatal screening.   Our fee also includes your six week postnatal visit.

Antenatal clinics are held four days per week and we can offer a variety of appointment times which will suit both yourself and your partner.  We welcome the presence of your partner at these visits.  Children are always welcome to attend with you.

We offer full antenatal care with all antenatal visits being conducted at COA. Delivery will be supervised by one of our consultants. We will make available a postnatal midwife to assist with your care upon your discharge from hospital. 

We are happy to work with a midwife and share the antenatal care with him/her.  We would alternate the visits with your midwife.  Should a complication arise we would be pleased to see you at short notice.  If there are any concerns about your pregnancy then we will see you as often as necessary.  One of our specialists is always on call.  If you call outside normal clinic hours please call Christchurch Women's Hospital Labour Suite (03 364-4715) to ascertain the name of the specialist on call for COA. Please request the phone number to contact the specialist. We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

 

Early Pregnancy

Most women have their first, and longest antenatal assessment around the 8th – 12th week of pregnancy.  This visit may take 30 – 40 minutes.  At this assessment a general health questionnaire will be completed along with any past obstetric history.  Any concerns regarding family history of inherited disorders or anxieties regarding the early part of the pregnancy can be resolved at this time. 

This is an opportunity for your obstetrician to establish an early assessment of your pregnancy and identify special risks which may be present for you and the baby.  Appropriate support can then be put in place to deal with these issues. 

At this first visit you will have your weight and blood pressure taken. Appropriate antenatal blood tests will be offered.  A discussion regarding antenatal screening tests will take place.  Your decisions on which tests you feel most appropriate can then be adopted as part of our care. 

 

Later Visits

Later visits are usually shorter in duration.  Blood pressure and urine testing are routinely undertaken.  The abdomen will be examined to check the growth of the baby and, from 30 weeks, the position of the baby.  The baby’s heart beat will be listened to. This is an opportunity to ask any questions and talk about anything that is worrying you.  Talking is as much a part of the antenatal care as all the tests and examinations.

Having regular antenatal care is important for your health and the health of your baby. 

 

Antenatal Classes

Antenatal classes can help you prepare for your baby’s birth, and for looking after and feeding your baby.  They can also help you to keep yourself fit and well during pregnancy.  They are often referred to as “Parent Craft Classes” and may cover relaxation and breathing and antenatal exercise.  They are usually informal and fun. 

The topics covered by antenatal classes are:
Prenatal care, Nutrition, Relaxation, Pain relief, Preparing for labour, Breastfeeding, Postnatal issues, and others.

If you are living outside of the Christchurch area please speak to our midwife regarding the classes in your area.