Grace Womens – Obstetrics and Gynaecology

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Pregnancy is one of the most vulnerable stages of a woman’s life. Having been through it twice herself Dr Sasmira Bhatt understands the delicate nature of this. She values the importance of good communication and treats all her patients with respect and empathy. She will take her time to explain the processes and ensure you have a good understanding of the issues and implications before making any important decisions.

Your initial consultation with her will take 40-60 mins. During this appointment, Sasmira will take a detailed medical history and introduce you to the pathway including what investigations to expect and when.  She will also perform an ultrasound scan to confirm your due date.
During every subsequent consultation, she will perform an in-room ultrasound scan and discuss any complications in detail if you develop any. She will also take the opportunity to promptly refer you to other team members such as an endocrinologist, physiotherapist and so on if required.

You will also have the opportunity to meet our team midwife at each or most of your appointments. Our midwives can provide you with guidance on topics such as common pregnancy-related symptoms, optimal nutrition, weight management and exercise as well as breastfeeding guidance. We also appreciate the toll that pregnancy and the changes in the body can take on your mental health. Due to this, we have strong links to a mental health team and would be very happy to refer you if required for additional support. We request that you bring the following to your first consultation with Sasmira:
  • Referral from your GP
  • Any investigations performed till date (blood tests, ultrasound scans, genetic screening). If you don’t have copies of these reports, just let us know where you had them and we can chase them for you before your appointment.
  • Medicare card and private insurance details
  • Completed medical history questionnaire which will be provided to you after you book in with us
Your pregnancy journey with us will start at around 6 weeks gestation. This is usually the time around which your initial consultation will be timed.
Once you have booked in with us and seen Sasmira, she is ‘on call’ for you through all hours of the day. Should you require attention due to an evolving complication such as bleeding, pain or reduced baby movements, you will be able to contact her at all times through her emergency pager number and she will attend to you immediately.
If your pregnancy is uncomplicated, you can expect the following antenatal timeline:
Pregnancy Age What will be discussed/What will happen Which investigations will be required

5-7 weeks
  • Pregnancy booking with us

  • Introduction to Sasmira and our midwives

  • Fees, private hospital booking in

  • Booking in blood tests
7-10 weeks

  • First appointment with Sasmira
  • Internal (vaginal) scan by Sasmira to visualise location of pregnancy and confirm due date

  • Genetic screening tests for common chromosomal condition such as Downs syndrome

  • Genetic career screening tests for both partners to evaluate baby’s risk of inheritable conditions.

  • Healthy pregnancy habits eg what foods to avoid, good hand hygiene, adequate nutrition, exercise, weight management
10-14 weeks
  • Phonecall from midwife

  • Routine visit with Sasmira

  • Information on test results

  • Organisation of 13 week scan with Monash Ultrasound for Womens (MUFW)
17 weeks

  • Phonecall from midwife

  • Consolidation of all investigations

  • ?Questions
20-22 weeks

  • Routine visit with Sasmira

  • Whooping cough vaccine available in rooms from 20 weeks. Fluvax available in rooms at any stage of pregnancy.
  • Organise 20 week ultrasound scan (detailed fetal anatomy scan with MUFW and placental location)

  • Discuss ultrasound findings
26-28 weeks
  • Routine visit with Sasmira

  • Chase 26 week blood test results

  • Organise 26 week blood tests (diabetes and anaemia screen)
32 weeks
  • Routine check-up with Sasmira

  • Discussion on mode and type of birth and reminder to write up birth plan if preferred.
34-36 weeks

  • Routine check-up with Sasmira

  • Fetal growth ultrasound scan with MUFW

  • Group B streptococcus vaginal swab test
37-40 weeks
  • Weekly visits with Sasmira

  • Discussion on timing and mode of birth
41 weeks

  • Discussion on and booking of induction of labour

  • Fetal CTG (welfare and heartbeat monitoring).
If you are planning to have a baby, we encourage you to see us for a pre-pregnancy consultation. This is a valuable opportunity to gain an understanding of how to optimise your body and health to ensure success. We advise you to bring a list of questions to this appointment.

During this extended consultation, we will cover the following topics:
  • You medical and surgical history
  • Pregnancy and gynaecological history
  • Review of medications
  • Assessment of your fertility
  • Education on menstual cycle and fertile window to optimise natural conception
  • Vaccinations
  • Diet and lifestyle modification and healthy weight management
  • Vitamins and supplements
  • Best hygiene practice and food safety
  • Genetic screening options