To enable you to claim with Medicare, you will need a referral from your GP and/or IVF specialist. Bring this, along with any other relevant ultrasounds and blood test results you have.
For pregnancy, you do not need to have had an ultrasound or blood tests to see us, as we will perform the ultrasound at the first visit and order any outstanding blood or urine tests
Whether you’re seeing us for a gynaecological issue or for your pregnancy, we may request various tests for you to have performed. We will explain the reason behind all of these tests with you at your appointments. When some test results return requiring further attention and treatment, you may be referred to another doctor specialising in that particular issue e.g. an Endocrinologist for Gestational Diabetes. Most pregnant patients will elect to attend a 12 and 19 week ultrasound exam at a radiologist nearby.
Once you find out you’re pregnant, contact our office and book with the administration team for your first appointment. Depending on your pregnancy symptoms and history, we will see you between 8 and 11 weeks of pregnancy.
We, along with our practice midwife Lyn will see you throughout your pregnancy in our rooms in Norwest. You will have the advantage of seeing your baby in State of the Art 3D ultrasound at each appointment if you wish (at no additional cost). You will follow a close structure of appointments, which towards the end of the pregnancy become weekly. If there is any time that you need reassurance or have extra questions, appointments can easily be made between these scheduled appointments.
Once you are home, you can make your postnatal appointment to come into the rooms and see us for a check-up, 6 weeks after your baby is born. Ongoing contraception and cervical screening tests (replaced pap smears in December 2017) can be discussed and performed at this appointment.
What is vNOTES?
vNOTES (vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery) is an advanced minimally invasive gyanecologic surgical technique that is used to access the pelvis through the vagina, without the need for abdominal skin incisions. It combines the benefits of the vaginal and laparoscopic approaches to gynaecological surgery. The vNOTES technique allows for laparoscopic instruments to be placed through the vagina into the pelvis to provide access to the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. The most common procedure performed by vNOTES is a hysterectomy, including the removal of the fallopian tubes and/or ovaries.
Why vNOTES?
The benefits of vNOTES include:
- Less post-operative pain
- Less pain medication
- Shorter hospital stays (often within 24 hours)
- No visible scars
Dr Bassem Gerges (Bas) has been performing vNOTES hysterectomies since 2019. Please do not hesitate to discuss this with Bas.
The following links contain useful information:
General Pregnancy Information (Australian Government Department of Health)
Jean Hailes – information on endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and menopause
International Urogynecological Association – information on urinary incontinence and pelvic floor prolapse
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Patient Information
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Patient Information
Australian Gynaecological Society Endoscopy & Surgery (AGES) Society have videos providing information on the patient journey for various surgical procedures.
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