Antenatal care
"Obstetrics" refers to the field of medicine working with pregnancy, birth and the period directly after birth (up to 6 weeks). Our management of pregnant women is based on both international and local guidelines (SASOG, RCOG and ACOG as well as other evidence-based guidelines) and we are always willing to discuss suggested treatment guidelines with our clients. We believe in empowering our clients with the appropriate information in order to assist them in making healthy decisions regarding their preferred care.
Pre-conceptual (BEFORE pregnancy)1. Check if you have German Measles immunity (Do a "Rubella IgG" test).
2. Stop smoking (both partners). 3. Stop excessive alcohol intake (both partners). 4. Discuss the use of any chronic medication with your healthcare provider. 5. Start a multivitamin with at least 800 micrograms of folic acid. 6. Document your menstruation in a menstrual diary. A few practical points:1. When determining how far you are pregnant, we count from the first day of your last menstruation and not the day we suspect conception occurred.
2. We count how far your pregnancy has progressed in weeks, NOT in months. 3. You are considered "Full term" at 40 weeks and NOT 9 months. 4. Your due date is more formally referred to as an "Estimated due date" and it is unfortunately NOT based on perfect science, but merely a science-based expectation. It is therefor very rare for babies to actually be born on their "due date". 5. Routine pregnancy follow up is done every 4 weeks (once per month) until about 34 weeks and then 2 - 3 weekly till delivery if pregnancy uncomplicated. |
Our practice and partners:In Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital Cape Town, Dr Hofmeyr works with 5 other gynaecologists in close association. This means that although we always try our best to personally attend to our clients at the time of delivery or in case of emergency, we cannot always guarantee the physical presence of Dr Hofmeyr at all of these occurrences. Please be aware that the practice has both female and male partners:
Dr Elmarie Basson Dr Catherine Elliott Dr Davin Kaplan Dr Peter de Jong Dr Lynelle Kenneth Dr Daniella Krick There will always be a doctor on standby to provide care for our clients should Dr Hofmeyr not personally be available. |
Antenatal care plan - when to do what:
| pregnancy_information_letter_sasog_2017.pdf |
| screening_and_prenatal_tests.pdf |
" I missed a period" - Do a home pregnancy test
- If positive: Work out how far you are pregnant (See Gestation calculator below)
8 - 10 weeks - "Book" your pregnancy. This means you need to make an appointment to see an obstetrician of your choice around this time
11 - 13 weeks - First trimester Risk assessment and NT scan - Done by a fetal assessment centre
- Do your Booking bloods and Hormonal markers for your first trimester risk assessment (PAPP-A and QBhCG)
14 - 18 weeks - Obstetric check - up in rooms
18 - 22 weeks - Detail ultrasound for fetal anomaly and/or second trimester risk assessment - Done by a fetal assessment centre
22 - 26 weeks - Obstetric check - up in rooms
- Hospital pre-admission
26 - 30 weeks - Immunisation booster (for mom): Tetanus and Pertussis
- Obstetric check - up in rooms
30 - 34 weeks - Obstetric check - up in rooms
34 - 36 weeks - Group B Haemolytic streptococcus screen
- Obstetric check - up in rooms
36 - 39 weeks - Obstetric check - up in rooms
40 - 41 weeks - Induction of labour if undelivered
Please download our example of a "Birthplan" or rather "Birth Preference Form" below:
- If positive: Work out how far you are pregnant (See Gestation calculator below)
8 - 10 weeks - "Book" your pregnancy. This means you need to make an appointment to see an obstetrician of your choice around this time
11 - 13 weeks - First trimester Risk assessment and NT scan - Done by a fetal assessment centre
- Do your Booking bloods and Hormonal markers for your first trimester risk assessment (PAPP-A and QBhCG)
14 - 18 weeks - Obstetric check - up in rooms
18 - 22 weeks - Detail ultrasound for fetal anomaly and/or second trimester risk assessment - Done by a fetal assessment centre
22 - 26 weeks - Obstetric check - up in rooms
- Hospital pre-admission
26 - 30 weeks - Immunisation booster (for mom): Tetanus and Pertussis
- Obstetric check - up in rooms
30 - 34 weeks - Obstetric check - up in rooms
34 - 36 weeks - Group B Haemolytic streptococcus screen
- Obstetric check - up in rooms
36 - 39 weeks - Obstetric check - up in rooms
40 - 41 weeks - Induction of labour if undelivered
Please download our example of a "Birthplan" or rather "Birth Preference Form" below:
| birth_preference_form_june_2015.pdf |
Gestation calculator: how far am I pregnant?Go back to your menstruation calendar. If you have had a regular cycle in the past couple of months, then count from the first day of your last menstruation. If you do this at the time of a missed period in a regular cycle, you should be about 4 - 5 weeks.
If your menstruation has been irregular or if you have been using contraception that failed, this date is more difficult to determine and it would be wise to inform us when you started feeling pregnancy symptoms (breast tenderness, nausea/vomiting, aversion to certain foods, excessive tiredness, etc) so we can work out a good time for your first doctor's appointment and scan. |
What are "booking bloods"?In pregnancy there are a couple of blood tests we do routinely in order to provide the best care possible for you and your unborn baby. These include: - Blood group and Rhesus status (A,B or O positive or negative) - Full blood count and iron level (Ferritin) - Infection screen: - HIV - Syphilis - Hepatitis B - Rubella immunity (German measles) |