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Antenatal Guide

Pregnancy Care

A timeline of screenings, tests, vaccinations and antenatal visits from preconception through to postnatal care.

Preconception First Trimester Second Trimester Third Trimester Late & Postnatal Summary

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Preconception & Early Pregnancy

Getting Started

Planning, initial screening and lifestyle before and in early pregnancy

Decide on care model Private / public, midwife / GP / obstetrician Essential

Mental health screening Depression and anxiety assessment Essential

Ensure Cervical Screening Test is up to date Recommended

Baseline blood tests FBC, blood group & antibodies, ferritin, rubella, Hep B, Hep C, HIV, syphilis, urine MCS Essential

Early diabetes screening Glucose tolerance test or HbA1c if high risk Recommended

Additional tests (history-dependent) Chicken pox, thyroid, chlamydia, CMV, vitamin D Consider

Supplements Folate 0.5–5 mg and Iodine 150 mcg daily Essential

Lifestyle review Safe use of drugs / alcohol, diet, exercise; discuss smoking cessation Essential

Update vaccinations COVID-19 and Influenza — safe anytime in pregnancy Recommended

Carrier screening Fragile X, SMA, cystic fibrosis (Medicare funded once only); extended panel at extra cost Recommended

Resources: matermothers.org.au/journey · pregnancybirthbaby.org.au · raisingchildren.net.au/pregnancy

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First Trimester

~6 to 13 Weeks

Dating, viability and genetic screening

Dating / viability scan At least 6 weeks after last normal period Essential

Nuchal translucency screening 11–13 weeks: blood test + ultrasound for Down Syndrome risk, gestation & anatomy check Essential

Non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) From 10 weeks — chromosomal abnormalities (e.g. Down Syndrome); ~$400+, not Medicare covered Recommended

Antenatal visits begin Every 4 weeks from week 12 until 28 weeks; more often if special needs Essential

Tip: Always collect blood test and ultrasound results — don't assume everything is okay. Get a paper copy for your hospital.

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Second Trimester

16 to 28 Weeks

Booking, morphology scan and whooping cough vaccination

Hospital booking-in appointment At 16–20 weeks (earlier if higher risk or for Shared Antenatal Care) Essential

Morphology scan At or after 20 weeks — placenta position, anatomy, growth & development Essential

Whooping cough booster Free in every pregnancy from 20 weeks gestation Recommended

Repeat blood tests (26–28 weeks) FBC, blood group antibodies, syphilis screen Essential

Glucose tolerance test Unless pre-existing diabetes; screens for gestational diabetes Essential

Ferritin testing May be recommended to check iron stores Consider

Rh-negative women: If you have vaginal bleeding at any stage, seek urgent Anti-D within 72 hours.

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Third Trimester

28 to 40 Weeks

Increased visits, Anti-D, RSV vaccine and birth planning

Anti-D injections (Rh-negative) 28 and 34 weeks routinely; urgent Anti-D within 72 hours if any vaginal bleeding Essential

RSV vaccination For mother during 28–36 weeks OR for baby at birth — discuss options Recommended

Antenatal visit frequency increases Every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, then every week until 40 weeks Essential

36-week blood tests Anaemia and syphilis screen; ferritin may be checked Essential

Hospital review appointment For Shared Antenatal Care at 36+ weeks Essential

41-week follow-up If no birth by 41 weeks, arrange follow-up for induction planning Essential

Reminder: Continue to feel baby's movements. Any decrease in movements — contact your care provider immediately.

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Postnatal

After Birth

Early postpartum checks and feeding support

Mental health screening Postnatal depression and anxiety check Essential

Feeding plan discussion Breastfeeding support and resources — breastfeeding.asn.au Recommended

Contraception counselling Discuss options for spacing future pregnancies Recommended

6-week postnatal check Physical recovery, pelvic floor, contraception, mental health Recommended

Support: breastfeeding.asn.au · PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) 1300 726 306

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Quick Reference

Summary at a Glance

Key milestones across pregnancy

Timeframe	Essential	Recommended	Notes
Preconception	✓ Folate, iodine, bloods	✓ Vaccinations, carrier screen	Decide care model
~6 wks	✓ Dating / viability scan
10–13 wks	✓ Nuchal translucency	✓ NIPT (~$400)	Visits every 4 wks from 12 wks
16–20 wks	✓ Hospital booking-in
20+ wks	✓ Morphology scan	✓ Whooping cough booster
26–28 wks	✓ GTT, repeat bloods	✓ Ferritin
28–34 wks	✓ Anti-D (Rh-neg)	✓ RSV vaccine	Every 3 wks then 2 wks
36+ wks	✓ Bloods, hospital review
41 wks	✓ Follow-up if no birth
Postnatal	✓ Mental health screen	✓ Feeding support	6-week check