Around four in five Australian women who gave birth in 2023 had their first antenatal visit during the first trimester. That figure, reported by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, represents a steady improvement from 66 per cent in 2011. Yet one in five women still did not see a health professional before the 14-week mark. Booking early matters because the first trimester is when key screening tests need to happen and when risk factors are best identified
Dandenong Doctors provides pregnancy care for women in Dandenong and surrounding suburbs. The GPs at the clinic support women through shared antenatal care arrangements, coordinating routine visits locally while hospital-based teams handle higher-risk assessments and delivery. This model offers convenience without compromising the quality of monitoring that a pregnancy requires.
Confirming Pregnancy and the First Appointment
The first step after a positive home pregnancy test is to book an appointment with a GP. The Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines recommend that a woman has her first antenatal visit within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. This early visit allows the GP to take a detailed medical, obstetric, and family history. The information gathered at this stage guides the plan for the rest of the pregnancy and determines which model of care is most appropriate.
At the first appointment, the GP will discuss the woman's general health, any medications she is taking, her vaccination history, and previous pregnancy experiences if applicable. Blood tests are arranged to check blood type, iron levels, immunity to certain infections, and screening for conditions such as hepatitis B and syphilis. A dating ultrasound may also be recommended to confirm gestational age, which is important for scheduling screening tests at the correct time.
For women who have been using contraception, this visit is also an opportunity to discuss the transition. The doctor can advise on what to expect in the early weeks, which supplements to begin, and how to manage early pregnancy symptoms such as nausea and fatigue. The clinic's page on cervical screening and contraception provides background on how contraceptive management fits into broader reproductive health care.
First Trimester Screening
Between 11 and 13 weeks, women are offered first trimester screening for chromosomal conditions. This involves a blood test measuring specific hormone levels and an ultrasound that includes a nuchal translucency measurement. Together, these results produce a risk estimate for conditions such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, and Patau syndrome.
The screening is optional. A GP explains what the test involves, what the results can tell the woman, and what the next steps might be if the risk estimate is raised. Some women choose not to have the screening, and that decision is respected without pressure. For women who want more definitive information, further testing such as non-invasive prenatal testing or amniocentesis can be discussed with a specialist. The GP arranges any necessary referrals and explains the different levels of accuracy and risk associated with each test.
The GP's role at this stage is to provide clear, balanced information so the woman can make a decision that aligns with her values and circumstances. This is one of the areas where having a trusted GP who knows the patient's background can make a complicated conversation feel less daunting. The GP does not make the decision. The GP makes the decision possible by giving the woman everything she needs to choose for herself.
GP Shared Antenatal Care
Shared care is a model where pregnancy appointments are divided between the GP and a hospital maternity team. For women with low-risk pregnancies, most routine visits take place at the GP clinic. Hospital visits are reserved for ultrasounds, specialist consultations, and the birth itself. The GP and hospital team share a common pregnancy record so both sides have full visibility of the woman's care.
This model has practical advantages. Attending a local GP clinic in Dandenong is often more convenient than travelling to a hospital for every appointment, especially for women who are working, caring for other children, or relying on public transport. The waiting times at a GP clinic are typically shorter than at a hospital antenatal clinic. The continuity of seeing the same GP at each visit also means the doctor develops a detailed understanding of the woman's health and pregnancy that a rotating roster of hospital staff cannot match.
The GPs at Dandenong Doctors participate in shared care arrangements with hospitals in the region. At each visit, the GP checks the woman's blood pressure, measures fundal height, listens to the fetal heartbeat, and discusses any symptoms or concerns. Results from pathology tests and ultrasounds are reviewed and explained. If any complications arise, the GP can refer the woman to hospital-based care without delay. The transition between GP and hospital is designed to be seamless, with clear communication between the two care providers.
What Routine Antenatal Visits Cover
After the first trimester, antenatal visits follow a schedule that increases in frequency as the pregnancy progresses. Monthly visits are typical until around 28 weeks, then fortnightly until 36 weeks, and weekly until delivery. The exact schedule varies depending on the woman's individual needs and any risk factors that have been identified.
At each visit, the GP assesses both maternal and fetal wellbeing. Blood pressure monitoring is important throughout pregnancy because raised blood pressure can indicate conditions such as pre-eclampsia, which requires prompt management. Fundal height measurements track the baby's growth pattern, and any significant deviation from expected growth prompts further investigation with ultrasound. Fetal movements become an increasingly important indicator in the third trimester, and the GP will ask the woman about her baby's movement patterns at each appointment.
Pathology tests at specific points in the pregnancy check for gestational diabetes, anaemia, and antibody changes in women who are rhesus negative. A glucose tolerance test at around 26 to 28 weeks screens for gestational diabetes, which affects how the body processes sugar during pregnancy. If diagnosed, the GP and hospital team work together to manage the condition through dietary changes, monitoring, and specialist review if needed. Early identification of gestational diabetes reduces the risk of complications for both mother and baby.
Nutrition, Supplements, and Lifestyle During Pregnancy
A GP provides guidance on nutrition throughout pregnancy. Folic acid supplementation is recommended before conception and through the first trimester to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Iodine is recommended throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. The GP can also advise on iron supplementation if blood tests indicate deficiency, which is common given the significant increase in blood volume and iron demand during pregnancy.
Women who cannot tolerate oral iron supplements or whose levels remain low despite supplementation may benefit from an iron infusion arranged through the clinic. This delivers iron directly into the bloodstream and can be performed safely in a GP setting. Resolving iron deficiency during pregnancy reduces the risk of fatigue, breathlessness, and complications during delivery.
Physical activity during pregnancy is encouraged for most women. The GP can advise on what types and intensity of exercise are appropriate based on the woman's fitness level and any pregnancy-related considerations. Walking, swimming, and modified strength training are generally well tolerated. Rest, hydration, and avoiding certain foods that carry infection risk, such as soft cheeses, raw meat, and high-mercury fish, are also covered during consultations. The GP adjusts this advice at each visit as the pregnancy progresses.
Mental Health During Pregnancy
Emotional wellbeing is a core part of antenatal care. The Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines recommend screening for depression and anxiety during pregnancy. GPs use validated screening tools such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to identify women who may benefit from additional support. Screening happens at the first visit and again during the third trimester, though a GP may screen more often if concerns arise at any point.
Pregnancy can bring a range of emotional responses. Anxiety about the baby's health, changes in relationships, financial pressures, and physical discomfort can all affect a woman's mood. For women with a history of depression or anxiety, pregnancy can also increase the risk of a recurrence. A GP who asks about emotional wellbeing at each visit creates an opportunity for early intervention if problems arise, rather than waiting until the postnatal period when services become harder to access amid the demands of a newborn.
At Dandenong Doctors, the GPs can prepare a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan for pregnant women who need access to subsidised psychology sessions. The broader women's health GP services at the clinic recognise that a woman's mental and physical health are connected throughout pregnancy and beyond. Having a single GP who monitors both aspects of wellbeing is more effective than separating them between different providers.
Vaccinations in Pregnancy
Certain vaccinations are recommended during pregnancy to protect both the mother and the baby. Influenza vaccination is recommended at any stage of pregnancy. Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination is recommended during the third trimester, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks, so that protective antibodies pass to the baby before birth. This provides the newborn with passive immunity during the first weeks of life, before they are old enough to receive their own vaccinations.
The GPs at Dandenong Doctors administer these vaccinations as part of routine antenatal care. The clinic also provides travel vaccination advice for women who are planning to travel during pregnancy, though some vaccines are not suitable for use during pregnancy and alternatives need to be discussed. COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is discussed based on current recommendations, and the GP can explain the latest advice and help the woman make an informed decision about timing
After the Baby Arrives
Postnatal care continues the relationship between the GP and the new mother. A postnatal check at six weeks covers the woman's physical recovery, emotional wellbeing, contraception planning, and any breastfeeding concerns. It is also a chance to screen for postnatal depression and anxiety, which can emerge in the weeks and months after delivery. Not every woman who develops postnatal depression recognises it in herself, which is why the structured check is valuable.
The GP can arrange referrals to lactation consultants, physiotherapists for pelvic floor recovery, or maternal and child health services as needed. For women who experienced complications during pregnancy or birth, the GP provides ongoing monitoring and coordination with specialist services. Women recovering from gestational diabetes, for example, need follow-up glucose testing to confirm that blood sugar levels have returned to normal.
The baby's health needs are also addressed through the GP. Children's health GP services at Dandenong Doctors include newborn checks, immunisation schedules, and developmental assessments. Having both mother and baby under the care of the same clinic simplifies appointment scheduling and record keeping. It also means the GP can observe the mother-baby relationship during visits, which is part of holistic postnatal care.
Planning for Pregnancy and Beyond
For women who are thinking about becoming pregnant, a preconception appointment with a GP is a valuable step. The GP can review medications for safety during pregnancy, arrange blood tests to check immunity and iron levels, discuss folate supplementation, and identify any health conditions that may need management before or during pregnancy. For women approaching menopause management, the GP can discuss how hormonal changes affect fertility and what options remain available.
Pregnancy care at Dandenong Doctors is designed to be thorough, personalised, and accessible. The bulk-billing model removes cost as a barrier, and the shared care arrangement with local hospitals gives women the best of both settings. Booking an early appointment is the single most useful thing a woman can do when she discovers she is pregnant, and the contact page has details on how to arrange that first visit.