High Risk Pregnancy
Get complete care and peace of mind with a specialised high risk pregnancy obstetrician in Melbourne
Get complete care and peace of mind with a specialised high risk pregnancy obstetrician in Melbourne
As a specialised high risk obstetrician in Melbourne, Dr Nathan is experienced in helping women safely manage their high risk pregnancies.
Your pregnancy may be considered high risk if there are any pre-existing conditions that make your birth a more complex process. Alternatively, your pregnancy may become high risk if complications develop, either in your baby or with your own health.
If we suspect that there’s additional risk involved with your pregnancy, there’s no need to worry. We will discuss the situation with you, and adjust your antenatal care to accommodate for increased check-ups, scans, and blood tests, to ensure a safe, healthy birth.
It’s important to understand that ‘high risk’ doesn’t mean dangerous—it just means that either through the nature of your pregnancy, or due to a pre-existing condition, there’s an increased chance of pregnancy complications occurring.
This can include:
As you’re growing another human inside you, who’s dependent solely on you for their health, pregnancy is always subject to a variety of risk factors. However, there are different levels of risk associated with your pregnancy.
High risk patients have confirmed risk factors, whether it’s associated with your baby, or issues with your own health. Your pregnancy will require close management and support by a high risk pregnancy obstetrician, and potentially involve other medical specialists, depending on your needs.
Dr Nathan is a high risk pregnancy obstetrician based right here in Melbourne. Together, our team will stay by your side during your pregnancy and delivery, ensuring any complications are managed calmly and confidently.
If your pregnancy is identified as an increased risk, we will develop a specialised birth plan that takes your situation into account, and will schedule extra appointments to suit your needs. Where close monitoring is required, we have a cardiotocograph (CTG) machine that we will use during your consultations, to track and measure your baby’s heartbeat.
Your situation may require involvement of other medical specialists, such as an endocrinologist, haematologist, or paediatric cardiologist. As your high risk pregnancy obstetrician Dr Nathan will collaborate with these specialists on your behalf, and bring them on your journey with you.
In the case of extreme prematurity (under 32 weeks), referral to a hospital may be necessary. Both Cabrini and Waverley Private Hospitals accommodate babies in their
Special Care Nursery from 32-34 weeks gestation.
If we identify that your pregnancy involves increased risk, we strongly recommend you attend the antenatal education classes provided at your hospital.
Both Cabrini and Waverley Private Hospitals offer a series of informative and interactive classes to help expecting parents prepare for your pregnancy, labour, childbirth, and caring for your new baby.
These classes are designed to help you and your partner feel informed, thoroughly prepared, and confident about your upcoming birth.
Be sure to book in soon as places are limited.
A complicated pregnancy might have its ups and downs, but as your high risk pregnancy obstetrician, Dr Nathan will be there with you throughout it all.
This also includes during your delivery. Dr Nathan is currently taking new pregnancy bookings for Cabrini and Waverley Private Hospitals.
For high risk pregnancies, familiarising yourself with your chosen hospital will give you peace of mind come the big day. So we recommend booking a tour of each one, so you can decide which one is right for your needs.
Visit them at the details below.
Cabrini Mother and Baby Centre
Level 2/183 Wattletree Rd
MALVERN VIC 3144
Ph: (03) 9508 1724
343-357 Blackburn Road
MOUNT WAVERLEY VIC 3149
Ph: (03) 9881 7700
We're on this journey with you.
Get in touch today to book your consultation.
Dr Nathan will help you determine a birth plan that’s right for you, and works directly with midwives from your chosen hospital to ensure a calm and supported birth.
We want your birth to be a special moment and positive experience, and can discuss all the important aspects of a caesarean birth during your antenatal appointments.
Dr Nathan is experienced in managing all manner of high risk pregnancy situations, and will be there with you to ensure the safety and health of your baby.
We provide specialist pregnancy care treatment—and peace of mind—for women with multiple pregnancies.
Genetic testing provides you with more information about your baby, and allows you a safe, accessible way to work out the risk of any specific genetic conditions.
When we determine your pregnancy may be a high risk, we can help you book in your following consultations as part of your management plan. We’ll also discuss options for your hospital bookings (Dr Nathan delivers at Cabrini and Waverley Private Hospitals).
Dr Nathan will also update your GP and the medical specialists involved in your care when necessary.
Your first appointment will be held in our rooms in Melbourne. As your high risk obstetrician, Dr Nathan will take a comprehensive personal and family history, and provide you with the opportunity to discuss all aspects of your health and pregnancy.
You’ll also have the opportunity to meet with Lisa, our midwife, at each pregnancy appointment.
Please bring your referral, your medicare card and private health insurance details, and any previous results for pathology or ultrasound.
If you’re able to fax, email, or send in your referral and other information ahead of time, this will help us to get to know a bit about you first, and will make your initial consultation much more specific to your needs.
You can call us on 9527 9000 to book in for your pregnancy. We’ll ask you for the date of your last menstrual period and calculate your estimated due date. We’ll then send through your booking to either Cabrini or Waverley Private Hospitals, whichever is best for you.
If you haven't seen your GP yet, it’s a good idea to do so and confirm your pregnancy. This allows you to claim back your Medicare rebate.
A high risk pregnancy requires a more involved testing schedule. There are a number of screening tests available that can tell you if your babies are at an increased risk of a serious health condition. Taken throughout your pregnancy, these tests typically combine results from a blood test and an ultrasound to assess the risk posed to yourself and your baby.
To find out more, the Victorian Clinical Genetics Services provides a comprehensive list of the types of tests available to you. We will discuss all the options available at your first appointment, and determine which ones are relevant to your situation.
The chance of undergoing a caesarean birth is higher with high risk pregnancies, but you may still be able to have a natural birth. This will be affected by the weight, health, and position of each of your babies, the complications involved, and your personal health.
We typically advise that most forms of low-impact exercise are safe during your pregnancy, up to a moderate level of intensity. However, a high risk pregnancy brings extra complications.
Come in and see us before you start your exercise program, and we can help you ensure you’re able to undertake regular exercise during your pregnancy.
With a low-risk pregnancy, many women are still able to travel. However, this can change with a high risk pregnancy. Dr Nathan can advise on your safest travel options.
In general, it’s best to avoid any long, tiring car journeys, as they can become quite uncomfortable and may also increase your risk of DVT. If you must take a long car trip, make a stop every two hours to get out, move around, and stretch your legs.
It’s recommended to take a general pregnancy multivitamin such as Elevit (R) or Blackmores (R) to help your body meet the increased nutritional needs of pregnancy. This also applies if you’re planning on getting pregnant, and will help your body build up the levels of nutrients it needs to support the initial growth of your baby.
Folic acid/folate 0.5mg should be started prior to conceiving, for at least 2-3 months, and can be continued until week 12 of your pregnancy.
Depending on the results of the blood tests we take during your consultations, further supplements may be required during your pregnancy. We can discuss these at your follow-up consultation and put you on the necessary supplement plan.
Our fees cover your entire pregnancy care, including all antenatal visits, Dr Nathan's on-call availability, midwife appointments, hospital visits, any extra appointments, delivery, and postnatal care up to 6 weeks after the birth.
Our pregnancy management fee is divided into two payments at 20 weeks and 28 weeks. Our reception team will discuss this with you over the phone when you book in for your appointment.
If you’re self funded, aren’t eligible for Medicare, or have an overseas health fund, give us a call or send us an email, and we can email the fee schedule to you.
Get in touch with us to book a consultation at a time and clinic that suits you. Either give us a call on the number below, or send us an email with your details and we’ll get back to you to confirm your appointment.
