Northern Health Routine Antenatal Visits for Shared Maternity Care: Summary
This reflects minimum visits. Additional visits should be arranged as appropriate.
For more detail on antenatal visits please refer to the Shared Maternity Care Guidelines 2010 on GP Access www.nh.org.au
Location
Initial GP
consultation
Timing
(approximately)
Usually 4 -10
weeks
Who sees
GP
Notes
Indicate request for Shared Maternity Care in referral
Fax referral to outpatients FAX-8405 8761
Please ensure that copies of any investigations ordered by the GP are sent with the
patient to the first hospital visit.
Antenatal screening tests:
 MSU
 Blood Group/Antibodies
 FBE
 Hep B Serology
 Rubella
 VDRL
 Glucose Challenge Test
 Hep C Serology
 HIV
 Vitamin D level
 TFT
Consider:
 Dating US
 Ferritin
 Haemoglobin electrophoresis/DNA analysis for Alpha Thalassaemia
 Varicella Antibodies
 Chlamydia (urine)
 GTT
 Pap test if due
Discuss testing for fetal abnormalities
 Combined First Trimester Screening (this is generally not
available via the hospital)
 Second Trimester Maternal Serum Screening
 Fetal morphology ultrasound
1st Hospital Visit
10-16 weeks
Midwife
and
Consultant
SMCA
16 weeks
GP
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Consider tests for fetal abnormalities/genetic carrier status
 CVS/amniocentesis
 Cystic Fibrosis testing
 Fragile X testing
 Others as relevant
Note: It is preferable that initial investigations are ordered by the GP with copies of
results sent with the woman to the first hospital visit. If they have not been done, they
will be arranged at the first hospital visit
 Standard antenatal examination
 Second Trimester Maternal Serum Screen at 14+
weeks organised by Northern Health
 18-20 week fetal morphology ultrasound arranged by
Northern Health
 Smoking & illicit drug use screening.
 Genetic counselling arranged if indicated
 Standard antenatal examination

Review of pregnancy record entries

Ensure testing for Down Syndrome has been discussed/organised

Ensure fetal morphology ultrasound has been discussed/organised
Hospital
20 weeks
SMCA
24 weeks
Hospital
28 weeks
Consultant
GP
Consultant

Standard antenatal examination

Review and document investigation results including fetal morphology ultrasound

Standard antenatal examination

Review and document investigation results including fetal morphology ultrasound

Standard antenatal examination

Fetal Movement Chart

Glucose Tolerance Test (if abnormal Glucose Challenge
Test at first visit)
SMCA
30 weeks
SMCA
32 weeks
SMCA
This is replaced
by a hospital
visit for women
requiring anti-D
Hospital
34 weeks
36 weeks
GP
GP
GP
Consultant

FBE, Rh Antibodies

Anti D if required

Standard antenatal examination

Review and document investigation results

Standard antenatal examination

Review and document investigation results

Standard antenatal examination

Review and document investigation results

Anti-D (if required)

Standard antenatal examination

GBS swab

For women with past history of caesarean section: discussion with the hospital Doctor
and decision regarding vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) or elective caesarean is
finalised at this visit
SMCA
37 Weeks
SMCA
38 weeks
SMCA
39 weeks
Hospital
40 weeks to
delivery
Post delivery
Week 6
GP
GP
GP
Consultant
GP

Standard antenatal examination

Review and document investigation results

Standard antenatal examination

Review and document investigation results

Standard antenatal examination

Review and document investigation results

Standard antenatal examination

Review and document investigation results

Cardiotocograph (CTG) as per arranged by hospital

Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI) as per arranged by hospital

Patient to make own appointment

Northern Health consultant visit only if significant complication of pregnancy or request
for sterilisation/IUD

Schedule visits 18/11/10
Referral for OGTT given to patients with Gestational Diabetes, GP to follow up result
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