A midwife is a university-qualified health professional who specialises in caring for women throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. In our private obstetric practice, our midwife, Anna, works closely with Dr Tetstall to provide education, support and pregnancy care, helping you feel informed and confident throughout your journey.

An Endorsed Midwife is a highly experienced registered midwife who has completed additional education and training approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Endorsed midwives can order pregnancy-related tests and ultrasounds, prescribe selected medications within their scope of practice, and provide a greater level of continuity and personalised care as part of your maternity team. Anna is an endorsed midwife and hence a Medicare rebate is also provided for her antenatal appointments.

Continuity of care means seeing the same trusted healthcare team throughout your pregnancy, birth and postnatal care. Research has shown that continuity of care improves communication, builds trust, increases satisfaction with pregnancy care and helps you feel more confident and supported. At our practice, you will be cared for by Dr Tetstall and our Endorsed Midwife, Anna, who work closely together to provide personalised care from early pregnancy through to after your baby is born.

Absolutely. Partners, family members or another support person are welcome to attend your midwifery appointments. Pregnancy is a shared journey, and involving your support person allows them to ask questions, learn about pregnancy and birth, and feel more confident in supporting you.

Your midwife appointments are designed to complement your obstetric care and provide additional education, guidance and support. At your 24 week appointment you will discuss antenatal classes, movements, pregnancy changes and be given request forms for your 26 - 28 week bloods. At your 36 week appointment you will discuss antenatal expressing, perineal massage and GBS screening if planning a vaginal birth, delayed cord clamping, your birth plan, and caesarean delivery if planning an elective caesarean section.

Antenatal expressing is the collection of small amounts of colostrum (your first milk) before your baby is born, usually from 36 weeks of pregnancy. Stored colostrum can be used after birth if your baby needs extra feeds and may be particularly beneficial for women with diabetes, whose baby may need to go the nursery, or anyone who wishes to have colostrum available after delivery.

Delayed cord clamping means waiting for a short period after your baby is born before clamping and cutting the umbilical cord. Current Australian and international guidelines recommend delaying cord clamping for at least 60 seconds in healthy babies, as this allows extra blood to transfer from the placenta to your baby, improving iron stores and reducing the risk of iron deficiency during infancy. Unless there is a medical reason to do otherwise, delayed cord clamping is routinely supported.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common bacterium that many healthy women carry naturally without causing symptoms. During pregnancy, a simple vaginal and rectal swab is recommended between 35 and 37 weeks to determine whether GBS is present. If your test is positive, antibiotics are recommended during labour to significantly reduce the risk of your baby developing a serious GBS infection after birth.