Obstetrics & Gynecology Services

Health Care Services Including Fertility Treatment & More in the Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie & Newcastle, NSW Areas

 

Whether your health needs are related to infertility, pregnancy or gynaecology, Hunter Women’s Health Centre provides the testing, monitoring, diagnosis and treatment that YOU need. View our full range of women’s health care services below.

Low-Risk Obstetrics Services

At Hunter Women’s Health Centre, we’re dedicated to bringing you from the beginning of your journey until six weeks following your delivery. Whether you’re low-risk or high-risk, we’ll guide you every step of the way. Visits for women with low-risk pregnancies are generally scheduled every four weeks until 28 weeks, every two weeks until 36 weeks and then weekly until delivery.

FIRST TRIMESTER

Your first appointment, at around seven to eight weeks, will include an extensive visit with your midwife and information about paperwork. Additionally, you will meet your doctor and complete an ultrasound to see your baby for the first time. Screening for Down syndrome can be completed in the first trimester.

SECOND TRIMESTER

During the 20-week scan, we’ll screen to check the progress of your baby’s major organs, fluid, placenta and more.

THIRD TRIMESTER

Some common or more specific blood tests such as iron levels and glucose testing will be completed during the third trimester. Gestational diabetes, for example, should be tested for early on in this trimester, because testing for and treating this early can decrease the chance of you or your child developing diabetes later on in life.

 

Hunter Women’s Health Centre will help you deal with common anxiety and stress that pregnancy can bring. We’ll discuss your labour and birthing plans and even give suggestions for what to pack in your hospital bag. We’ll help you discuss your labour and birth to give you the best idea of what to expect. Expectant dads can also sign up to SMS4Dads to learn how to best connect with your baby and support your partner.

The following are some of the common obstetric services we offer. To schedule an appointment with us, please contact our friendly receptionist.

• Preconception counselling
• 3D/4D ultrasounds with every visit
• Comprehensive management plan in consultation with couple
• Hyperemesis gravidarum (persistent nausea and vomiting)
• Screening bloodwork
• First trimester screening

 

• Morphology scanning
• Glucose tolerance testing
• Anti-D
• Strep B testing
• Low-risk deliveries including Water Birth (at John Hunter Hospital only)

High-Risk Obstetrics Services

For those going through difficult or high-risk pregnancies, the staff at Hunter Women’s Health Centre are here to help. We can assist with pregnancies in cases of twins, triplets, quads, diabetes and more, from the initial visit to the final six-week postpartum appointment.

High-risk pregnancies sound scary, but at Hunter Women’s Health Centre, we will be sure to take great care of you with more frequent visits, ultrasounds, blood tests and discussions about probable early due dates. We maintain partnerships with John Hunter Hospital, so Maternal Foetal Medicine and Neonatal Intensive Care support are readily available for your needs.

To find out more about how we serve our high-risk pregnancy patients, please view the services below or call us to schedule an appointment.

• Preconception counselling
• 3D/4D ultrasounds with every visit
• Multiples, e.g. twins
• Medical conditions affecting pregnancy, e.g. diabetes, thyroid problems, high blood pressure
• Consultation with John Hunter Hospital Maternal Foetal Medicine Unit if and when appropriate
• Comprehensive management plan in consultation with couple
• Screening bloodwork
• Hyperemesis gravidarum (persistent nausea and vomiting)

 

• First trimester screening
• Morphology scanning
• Foetal growth monitoring
• Glucose tolerance testing
• Anti-D
• Strep B testing
• Vaginal Birth After Caesarean Section (VBAC)
• Assisted vaginal deliveries
• Caesarean section

Infertility

If you’ve been trying to become pregnant with your partner, you know it can be a stressful and frustrating process. Our doctors are experienced with assisting patients through the process of conceiving for the best results. After initial testing, we’ll make a plan on how to proceed.

During the initial appointment, we’ll listen to you and your partner to find out how to best serve you. Blood tests, imaging, paperwork and an examination will be completed during this appointment. Your partner can join you for the examination. We recognise that this part of the visit is most uncomfortable for most women. Everything we do will be explained and will only proceed with your permission.

After discussing our findings and suggestions for tests or even surgery, you may need help to ovulate. At Hunter Women’s Health Centre, we only use oral agents to assist with ovulation. On the odd occasion that further help is needed, you will be referred to an IVF specialist. As always, we at Hunter Women’s Health Centre are here to support you during the entire process.

 

To meet us in person, please schedule an appointment at our office. We would love to get to know you and help you feel more comfortable with bringing your infertility issues to our office.

• Investigations including hysterosalpingogram
• Cycle tracking
• Male factor
• Metformin/Clomid
• Diagnostic laparoscopy
• Operative hysteroscopy

Gynaecological Care

Many women tend to put their gynaecological needs on hold because they’re busy or their problems are embarrassing. At Hunter Women’s Health Centre, we believe that every woman deserves the best health care possible. Whether you’re experiencing heavy periods, incontinence, prolapse, pelvic pain or another more complicated issue, we’re here to help.

We recommend coming early to your first visit to complete all necessary paperwork. During your first appointment, you can expect to speak with your doctor about your needs and medical history, complete any necessary blood tests and imaging, complete an initial examination and discuss any findings with your doctor. Our nurse will be with you throughout your examination, and your partner or a friend can join you during it, as well. We recognise that this part of the visit is most uncomfortable for most women. Everything we do will be explained and will only proceed with your permission.

Read below for more information about our specific services, then call us to schedule an appointment. We would love to meet you and help you feel more comfortable at our office.

 

CERVICAL SCREENING TESTS
(FORMERLY PAP SMEAR)

•   CST
•   Colposcopy for abnormal results and unexplained bleeding

CONTRACEPTION COUNSELLING

• Barrier methods, Implanon, Mirena, non-hormonal IUD, NuvaRing
• Laparoscopic tubal ligation, birth control pills, Depo-Provera

ABNORMAL UTERINE BLEEDING

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Hysteroscopy, D&C, endometrial ablation, diagnostic laparoscopy, tumour removal and hysterectomy
• Minimal or no menstrual bleeding
• Postmenopausal bleeding

MENOPAUSE

•   Hot flushes; vaginal dryness
•   Hormonal or non-hormonal therapy

PELVIC PAIN INCLUDING PAINFUL MENSES

•   Multidisciplinary approach
•   Endometriosis – Medical and surgical therapies

WARTS

•   Medical lesion destruction
•   Surgical lesion destruction

 

URINARY LEAKAGE

•   Pelvic floor physiotherapy
•   Pessary
•   Bladder testing
•   Medical therapy
•   Tension-Free Vaginal Tape (TVT-O)

VAGINA/VULVA

•   Discharge
•   Persistent itching
•   Lichen sclerosis and vulvoscopy
•   Bartholin’s cyst/abscess
•   Incision and drainage
•   Marsupialisation
•   Excision

PROLAPSE

•   Bladder, rectum, uterus, vagina
•   Pessary
•   Vaginal, laparoscopic or abdominal repairs
•   Hysterectomy