Dr. Michael van der Griend

Always great seeing families back at their postnatal appointments!
Congrats to Mona & Nathan on their 3rd addition, baby Zahra 🌼

Welcome to the world baby Zara 🌸
Congratulations to Pip & Ed on the birth of their 4th baby (1st girl)!

•
•
•
•

••• Pregnancy fact •••

Most women who develop GD will have no symptoms, and as such it is recommended that all pregnant women be screened for gestational diabetes between 26 – 28 weeks gestation.

The test involves a glucose tolerance test (GTT) which is where you attend a pathology centre, fast overnight and have 3 blood tests over a period of 2 hours.

Some of the risk factors for developing GD include:

* Strong family history of early onset diabetes
* Women over the age of 40
* High body mass index
* Women who have Asian, Indian, Malaysian or Middle Eastern heritage

Swipe to read more…

••• Pregnancy fact •••

Ectopic pregnancy occurs when the pregnancy develops outside of the uterus. It occurs in less than 1% of pregnancies but can cause serious internal bleeding.

The most common location for ectopic pregnancy is the fallopian tube, but it can also be found in the o***y, a previous Caesarean section scar or rarely as an abdominal pregnancy.

•
•
•
•

📷

Meeting my new granddaughter Freya 💕

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month 💛

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) is found within other pelvic organs. The severity of the symptoms does not always correlate with the severity of endometriosis.

Symptoms can include:
- Lower abdominal/back pain
- Fatigue
- Heavy/irregular menstrual bleeding
- Pain with urinating/bowel movements
- Infertility

The diagnosis of Endo can sometimes be made by specialist pelvic ultrasound, but it needs to be confirmed by laparoscopy surgery. This involves a general anaesthetic and an instrument passed through the umbilicus to visualise the pelvic organs.

The road to diagnosis and treatment can be very long and frustrating for many women. It is estimated that 700,000 women in Australia are impacted by Endometriosis.

Congratulations Holly & Hamish on your newest addition to the family Stanley. I’m sure big brother Finlay is very excited!

••• Pregnancy fact •••

The NIPT blood test can be performed any time after 10 weeks of pregnancy.
The test relies on the release of small amounts of the baby’s DNA into the mother’s circulation via the placenta. This means it is highly accurate, with an ability to pick up over 99% of babies with Down Syndrome. It will also diagnose babies with trisomy 13, 18 and s*x chromosomal problems as well as the baby’s gender.

•
•
•
•

Congratulations to Adriana & Patrick on the safe arrival of their 3rd son Henry 💙👶🏼

•
•
•
•

••• Pregnancy fact •••

During labour as the babies head descends further into the pelvis it will usually rotate to the front. If the mothers pelvis is smaller or has a different shape then it may lead to an obstructed labour.

The outlet of the pelvis is the area between the coccyx at the back, the p***c arch at the front and the ischium from side to side. It is oval shaped with the larger distance from front to back.

•
•
•
•

📷

-photographer **nalbirth

••• Pregnancy fact •••
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common bacteria that can be found in up to 15% of women, forming part of the normal flora within the va**na and re**um.
Most women will not have any symptoms, however GBS can be significant for women in labour or when the waters have broken as there is risk of infection to the newborn.

GBS can be tested for via a va**nal swab & if positive antibiotics can be given in labour to prevent transmission to the newborn. Most Hospitals offer routine screening for all women between 35-37 weeks of pregnancy.

Risk factors:

▫️Maternal fever (>37.5 degrees during labour)
▫️Preterm labour
▫️Ruptured membranes > than 18 hours
▫️Chorioamnionitis (infection în amniotic fluid & membranes)
▫️Previous newborn with GBS
▫️GBS bacteriuria (UTI with GBS
bacteria)
▫️GBS positive in a previous pregnancy is linked with a higher rate of recurrence in the next pregnancy

Impacts to your baby?

Many newborns will come into contact with GBS during labour and birth, and in most cases it is harmless, however a small percentage of babies can develop an infection (1-2%). If you are GBS positive, your newborn will have more regular observations (temp, heart rate, breathing rate).

If your newborn develops any signs/symptoms of GBS infection, a neonatal team will be consulted & your newborn will receive immediate antibiotics. 90% of babies who are infected with GBS will show signs within the first 24 hours of life, however a small proportion will have delayed onset Group B sepsis. If you are ever worried about your baby, seek medical advice immediately.

•
•
•
•

-photographer

Beautiful photo of Ali, Lewis and their second baby boy Charlie 💙

•
•
•
•

The risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 is significantly higher for pregnant women and their unborn baby.
Global surveillance data from large numbers of pregnant women have not identified any significant safety concerns with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines given at any stage of pregnancy. Furthermore, there is also evidence of antibody in cord blood & breastmilk, which may offer protection to infants through passive immunity.
Pregnant women are encouraged to discuss the decision in relation to timing of vaccination with their health professional.
Women who are trying to become pregnant do not need to delay vaccination or avoid becoming pregnant after vaccination. 💉🤰

•
•
•
•

••• Pregnancy fact •••
In Australia, pre-eclampsia occurs in around 5% of women and is more common in a first pregnancy. 🤰

Symptoms of Pre-eclamsia include:

> Elevated Blood pressure
> Severe headaches
> Visual disturbances
> Worsening swelling
> Severe upper abdominal pain
> Protein in the urine
> Disordered liver function

Prevention strategies such as low dose aspirin and calcium can reduce the incidence of developing pre-eclampsia if you are considered high risk.
Treatment is aimed at blood pressure medication/monitoring, increased fetal surveillance, and more frequent blood and urine tests. The ultimate treatment for Pre-eclampsia is delivery of the baby, the timing will be dependent on the gestation of the baby and the severity of the condition. In rare cases pre-eclampsia can progress to Eclampsia which causes convulsions and in severe cases can be life threatening to mother & baby.

If you have any signs or symptoms of pre-eclamspia during your pregnancy contact your health provider.

For some more information, visit www.aapec.org.au

•
•
•
•

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mums out there! 💕

📷

Congratulations Nicole & Cameron on your newest arrival baby Cooper! 👶🏼 🤱

•
•
•
•

••• Pregnancy fact •••

Blood loss occurs due to the placenta coming away from the uterine wall. This leaves open blood vessels that continue to bleed until the uterus contracts. Postpartum bleeding can last anywhere from 2-6 weeks following birth, and for some women it can last longer.

Blood loss greater than 500mls is considered a postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). A PPH can happen at anytime after giving birth, however it is more likely in the first 24 hours post delivery. This is usually due to the uterus not contracting effectively. If the placenta is incomplete, there may be a higher chance of a PPH.

Normal postpartum Bleeding:

- Bleeding decreasing over time, which should
change from red to pink to brown
- Bleeding to stop around 6 weeks following
birth
- Soaking up to one pad every hour during first
day post delivery
- Soaking up to one pad every two hours after
the first day
- Generally heavier bleeding when
breastfeeding or first getting up in the
morning
- Passing small clots

When to seek help:

- Fevers, shortness of breath or dizziness
- Soaking more than one pad every hour
during the first day post delivery
- Soaking more than one pad every two hours
after the first day
- Bleeding lasting more than 8 weeks
- Sudden increase in bleeding or passing large
clots 🩸

•
•
•
•

**nalbirth

Wishing everyone a happy & relaxing Easter! 🐰

📷

••• Pregnancy fact •••
Epidurals are administered by an anaesthetist who inserts a fine catheter into the lower back.
Anaesthetic solution is then infused through the catheter to provide continual pain relief.
Most epidurals are patient controlled epidural anaesthesia (PCEA). This is where a woman can self administer top ups of the infusion as needed.
Due to decreased sensation from the waist down, a urinary catheter is necessary to prevent urinary retention.
IV fluids are also required to counteract any blood pressure changes that could occur.
•
•
•
•

New website has officially launched! Let us know what you think 💭
Website link is in comment section and bio!

••• Pregnancy fact •••

The cervix usually remains thick & closed throughout pregnancy.

During labour it thins (effaces) & dilates to 10cm to allow passage of the baby’s head into the birth canal.

In the active phase of labour the cervix dilates approximately 1cm/hour in a women in her first pregnancy.
In subsequent pregnancies, the cervix usually dilates significantly faster.
•
•
•
📷

••• September is polycystic o***y syndrome (PCOS) awareness month.

PCOS is a hormonal imbalance which affects approximately 1 in 10 women of reproductive age.

Not all women with PCOS will have the same symptoms.
Women with PCOS typically have irregular menstrual cycles as a result of not ovulating.

Some of the other symptoms include: weight gain, excessive facial/body hair (hirsutism), infertility, acne, anxiety & depression.

A blood test will usually indicate an elevated luteinizing hormone level & free androgen index (active testosterone).
Ultrasound will typically show multiple follicles in both ovaries (on average 10-20 per o***y).

Unfortunately it is often under diagnosed & misunderstood.

Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful dads out there 💙

••• Pregnancy fact •••
This increase is due to the hormone relaxin, which facilitates the passage of the baby through the pelvis in labour.
•
•
•
•

My beautiful grandsons Hugo & Luca 💙

It’s world breastfeeding week and to spread awareness we will be sharing some interesting facts 🤱🏼💕🤱🏼
org.au wrote these truthful words, see below:

“For some mums, breastfeeding comes easily and is an enjoyable and rewarding part of motherhood.

For others, however, it can be a frustrating, difficult and sometimes painful journey – and can take its toll on a mama’s mental health.

This can be compounded by the prevailing message that "breast is best", which can leave mums feeling as though they've "failed" when it's simply not working.

For more information on the supports available for breastfeeding and bottle-feeding mums, please visit our website: https://www.cope.org.au/new-parents/first-weeks/breast-feeding/support-breastfeeding-bottle-feeding”

Congratulations Lanai & Nick on your first beautiful baby 👶🏼

••• Pregnancy fact •••
The placenta produces hormones such as HCG, estrogen, and progesterone.

It is the interface between the mother & baby, providing nutrients and oxygenated blood to the baby via the umbilical vein. It also filters waste products and deoxygenated blood via the umbilical arteries ✨