Frequently Asked Questions
1. When do I book my first antenatal appointment?
It is recommended to start antenatal care as soon as possible after you find out you are pregnant, ideally within the first 8-10 weeks of pregnancy, however, we are delighted to welcome you at any point from 7 weeks onward.
2. Are partners and children allowed to attend appointments?
Absolutely! We warmly welcome partners or support persons to accompany you during your appointments. We understand the importance of having your loved ones by your side for support. Additionally, if needed and if you feel comfortable, children are very welcome as well.
3. Does private health insurance cover antenatal care?
Antenatal care appointments are typically classified as outpatient services, which means that coverage from private health insurance usually begins upon admission to the hospital.
Once admitted to the hospital, your private health insurance typically extends coverage to various services provided by other doctors, such as Anaesthetists, Surgical Assistants, Paediatricians, Pathology, and Pharmacy (keep in mind you still may have a “gap” or “out-of-pocket cost” for these services as well). Concerning the fees for your hospital stay, you will generally only need to pay your hospital excess, the amount of which may vary depending on your health fund.
4. Do you accept self-funding patients?
Yes, we welcome self-funding patients. Additionally, it's important to consider the expenses related to your hospital care as well. For more information on all costs associated with self-funding, please reach out to us, and we can provide you with details of our fees and relevant contacts for the hospital.
5. Do I need a referral before booking an appointment?
While we do recommend obtaining a referral before your appointment, we understand that our schedule can fill up quickly. Therefore, we welcome patients to contact us as early as possible. We can tentatively book an appointment for you even without a referral, ensuring that you secure a spot, with the requirement of obtaining the referral before your actual appointment.
6. Do you only deliver at SJOG Hospital Geelong, and if so, is there an option to receive only antenatal care?
We exclusively deliver at SJOG Hospital Geelong. While we understand the desire for flexibility in care options, we do not offer standalone antenatal care or delivery services outside of SJOG. Our commitment to providing comprehensive and personalised care means that we prioritise patients delivering at SJOG to ensure we can deliver the highest quality of care.
6. Can I choose my Obstetrician at Berth?
Absolutely, you have the freedom to select your Obstetrician, subject to their availability around your due date. Typically, our Obstetricians attend to their own patients on weekdays, with a shared weekend on-call schedule between them. Additionally, they offer coverage for each other during periods of sick leave or holidays. Throughout your pregnancy, you will generally receive all your care from your chosen Obstetrician and from our Berth Midwives, but you're welcome and encouraged to meet with both Obstetricians to ensure you feel comfortable with the care provided by our team.
7. How often will I attend appointments during my pregnancy?
If you click here, we have a general guide and breakdown of when to expect to be seeing your Obstetrician and midwife during your pregnancy care at Berth.
In addition to this, we acknowledge that every pregnancy is different and your obstetrician will be able to work with you to make a personalised pregnancy care timeline that best suits your unique needs. At any stage during your pregnancy where you may feel the need for an extra visit, your Obstetrician is more than happy to see you. There is no charge for extra appointments with your Obstetrician.
I have just found out I am pregnant, should I be taking any supplements?
While maintaining a balanced diet is typically recommended, meeting nutritional requirements can be challenging during early pregnancy due to factors like nausea, vomiting and dietary aversions.
To prevent neural tube defects, we suggest consuming at least 500 micrograms of folate daily, ideally starting one month before conceiving and continuing throughout the first trimester.
Iodine is another nutrient that is important for your baby’s brain development, we suggest taking a multivitamin for pregnancy that contains at least 150 micrograms of iodine.
Vitamin D is important for the development of your baby’s bones and teeth, we suggest pregnant women to take a vitamin D supplement of 400 international units (IU) per day (may also be written as 10 micrograms).
All these supplements can be discussed further with our Obstetricians and midwives who are hear to guide you every step of the way.
9. Do I need to book into SJOG Hospital separately to my booking with Berth?
Yes, you will need to complete certain forms and schedule a Maternity Pre-Admission Appointment. At your initial visit with Berth, you will receive detailed instructions on how to register with SJOG Hospital and when to complete this process. For more information and access to the required forms, please click here.
10. How do I access childbirth education?
We offer childbirth education through Berth with our dedicated team of Obstetricians and Midwives. Our classes are open to all Berth patients as well as the public. To learn more about our childbirth education, please click here.
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