Pregnancies with additional complexity are managed with more frequent review, targeted ultrasound, and input from maternal–fetal medicine and other specialties where appropriate. Second opinions and transfer of care are welcome at any stage. Open any topic below that applies to you.
Twin pregnancies are reviewed more often than single pregnancies, with ultrasound at shorter intervals. Whether the twins share a placenta is established early, because it determines how closely the pregnancy is monitored and when birth is usually recommended.
Timing and mode of birth are discussed well in advance, and birth is planned at a hospital with a nursery able to care for both babies. Dr Aridas worked in the multiple pregnancy and preterm birth prevention unit at Monash Health.
Whether a vaginal birth after a previous caesarean is a reasonable option depends on why the caesarean happened, how many you have had, the interval since, and how this pregnancy is progressing. All of that is reviewed with you rather than decided by a rule.
If you plan a VBAC, labour is monitored more closely and the plan is documented with the hospital in advance. Choosing a planned repeat caesarean instead is an equally supported decision, and you can change your mind as the pregnancy goes on.
A baby lying bottom-first late in pregnancy is common and is usually identified at a routine visit or on ultrasound. There is more than one reasonable way forward.
Options include an attempt to turn the baby (external cephalic version), a planned caesarean, and in selected circumstances a planned vaginal breech birth. Which of these are available to you depends on your pregnancy, and each is set out with its risks and alternatives before you decide.
If a baby is measuring smaller than expected, or growth appears to have slowed, monitoring moves to serial ultrasound with assessment of blood flow in the cord and placenta.
The purpose is to judge when birth is safer than continuing, which is a balance rather than a fixed threshold. Dr Aridas completed accredited maternal–fetal medicine training and supervises a fetal growth restriction service in the public sector.
This includes diabetes, thyroid disease, high blood pressure, autoimmune conditions, epilepsy, higher body weight, and mental health conditions, among others.
Care is coordinated with your physician or GP, and medications are reviewed — ideally before conception, but at any point in the pregnancy. Dr Aridas worked in the diabetes and obesity in pregnancy unit at Monash Health. If you are planning a pregnancy and have a condition you are unsure about, a pre-pregnancy appointment is often the most useful first step.
If a previous pregnancy, birth or procedure was frightening or traumatic, that matters to how this one is planned. Care is offered sensitively and at your pace.
This can include reviewing your records and explaining what happened, a birth debriefing, and a written plan for this pregnancy that the hospital holds as well. You are welcome to bring a support person, and to stop or pause any discussion.
You choose your booking hospital with guidance from Dr Aridas, based on your pregnancy, your health fund cover and where you live.
You are reviewed daily while in hospital. Before discharge you will have written instructions covering wound or perineal care, pain relief, activity and warning signs.
A postnatal appointment is usually arranged for around six weeks, covering recovery, contraception, cervical screening if due, mood and wellbeing, and planning for any future pregnancy.