Your pregnancy is a very special and personal experience, and you want to make sure that you have a clinic and doctor who makes you feel comfortable and supported throughout this process. 

 

The good news is that you have a whole variety of options when it comes to your pregnancy journey. 

 

Your General Practitioner (GP) will often be the first point of contact when you think you are pregnant, however you may choose to start your pregnancy care with an Obstetrician instead. 

 

Going to an obstetrician-gynaecologist at a private clinic can provide many benefits to your pregnancy care, from pre-pregnancy counselling right through to after labour care. 

 

Here is how a private maternity clinic can assist your pregnancy journey. 

 

Before Pregnancy

While some people may not see a doctor until after they have conceived, there are many things your doctor can assist you with before conception has occurred. 

 

Preconception Check Up

If you are looking to start your family then pre-pregnancy counselling is a great way to make sure that you are ready and prepared. 

 

Having a preconception check up can help make sure that you are healthy and ready to conceive. Here are some things that may be covered at a preconception check up;

 

• General advice on lifestyle changes that can help improve the chances of successfully conceiving and having a healthy baby
• Any relevant supplements you can take before, during and after pregnancy
• Assessment of both parents medical history 
• STI tests
• Blood tests
• Prescription medication assessment 

 

Having a preconception check up, whether it’s with your GP or a private clinic is a great way to ensure that you are giving your family the best chance right from the beginning. 

 

It is especially important if you have a family history of genetic issues, or a pre-existing medical condition. You may need to see a specialist, or discuss other relevant options. 

 

Fertility Assessment

If you have a preconception check up, your doctor may be able to pick up on any potential fertility issues right away. This can save you a lot of time, or give you peace of mind. 

 

However, not all potential fertility issues can be discovered from a preconception check up, and you may need a specialised fertility assessment. 

 

It is typically recommended that you seek out a fertility assessment if you have not conceived after 1 year of trying, or if you are over the age of 35, after 6 months of trying. 

 

As an obstetrician-gynaecologist, Dr. Kelvin Larwood is qualified and experienced in assessing the fertility of both parents, and helping guide you through the process of successfully conceiving. 

 

During Pregnancy

One of the great benefits of seeing an obstetrician at a private clinic is that you will have continuity of care. During your pregnancy, all your consultations will be with Dr. Kelvin Larwood, who is an experienced obstetrician and gynaecologist. 

 

Dr. Larwood understands that each woman and pregnancy is unique, and provides individualised care, information and updates that help enable good decisions and provide you with the best opportunity for a safe pregnancy and birth. 

 

A private maternity clinic can help you with the management of early pregnancy problems such as miscarriage or ectopic. These can be quite traumatic, so having a caring obstetrician who you trust can help you feel safe and supported. 

 

Antenatal care (the care you receive during pregnancy) is incredibly important to ensure both mother and baby are safe and healthy. There are many issues that may occur during pregnancy and childbirth, so having an experienced specialist to assist you can help reduce these risks. 

 

Antenatal Appointments 

As each pregnancy is unique, your antenatal care may change depending on your personal health and any risks you may face during your pregnancy. 

 

Depending on the stage of your pregnancy, there will be different things involved at your antenatal appointments.

 

 Some of the things that may be discussed or done include;

 

• Ultrasound of your baby
• Listening to baby’s heartbeat
• Discussing your medical history – such as general health and any previous pregnancies
• Discussing your medications
• Discussing due date and what to expect in each trimester 
• Ensuring you are up to date on any tests and checks 
• Checking blood pressure, weight and urine
• Blood tests and screening
• Advice on lifestyle changes
• Feeling and measuring stomach 
• Discussing any issues that may have arised for you 
• Discussing your birth plan – including if things don’t go as planned
• Discussing potential antenatal education classes 
• Advice regarding when your baby is born – i.e. taking care of them etc. 

 

By using a private maternity clinic, you can feel confident that your maternity care will be thorough, and personalised to your individual needs. 

 

These antenatal visits are the perfect opportunity to get to know one another, so that you know your personal values and preferences are understood and respected. 

 

You can thoroughly discuss your birth plan, including your preferences on pain relief, caesarean birth and other maternity services. 

 

Dr. Kelvin Larwood is on call for his patients, and encourages them to always check in as soon as they have an issue. 

 

Labour

With a private maternity clinic, you will have the benefit of giving birth in a private hospital. Dr. Kelvin Larwood offers birthing at Buderim Private Hospital. 

 

Depending on your personal circumstances and wishes, private hospitals offer a whole range of advantages over public hospitals. 

 

Public hospitals offer high quality maternity care, with little out of pocket costs. However, you may miss out on making key decisions in your pregnancy journey. 

 

When giving birth in a public hospital, you will likely not know the midwives and health professionals who look after you. They may not know your birth plan, or properly understand your personal preferences. You may not even get to choose where you give birth. 

 

With a private obstetrician, you can have more choice regarding your pregnancy and labour. You may choose to have an elective caesarean, which is often only an option for high risk births in the public system. 

 

You will also have the option of a private room, where your partner can stay with you as well. Often in public hospitals you will be sharing your room. 

 

Overall, one of the main benefits of private care from an obstetrician is the personalised, one-on-one care that you receive. 

 

Dr. Larwood is present at most of his patients’ births. In the rare situation he is unable to attend, there is always a trusted colleague available if needed. 

 

 

After Birth 

Depending on your labour experience, there are many things that you may need to do after birth. If you had uncomplicated labour, you may simply need to rest at home following instructions from your doctor, along with advice on breastfeeding and any other concern that may arise. 

 

In the unfortunate circumstance that you have complications, having an experienced obstetrician and gynaecologist on hand, can help ensure any surgery or treatment you need is delivered efficiently and safely. 

 

Dr. Kelvin Larwood has two private clinics on the Sunshine Coast in Buderim and Noosa, and is dedicated to helping give women and their babies the best opportunity at being healthy. 

 

For more information, you can contact the clinic.