Finding out you’re pregnant is an exciting time, but it can also feel overwhelming — especially if it’s your first baby. Antenatal care is the regular health care you receive throughout your pregnancy, and it plays a vital role in keeping both you and your baby healthy.
What Is Shared Care?
Shared antenatal care means your pregnancy is managed between your GP and the hospital where you plan to deliver. Your GP handles most of the routine appointments — check-ups, blood tests, ultrasound referrals, and general support — while the hospital team manages the more specialised aspects of your care and the delivery itself.
This model means you get the continuity and convenience of seeing a familiar GP in Cronulla for most visits, with the reassurance of hospital-based care for delivery and any complications.
Your First Appointment
Book in as early as possible — ideally before 10 weeks. Your first appointment is a longer visit where your GP will confirm the pregnancy, estimate your due date, order initial blood tests, discuss your medical history, and talk through the options for your care.
What Happens at Each Visit?
- Blood pressure and weight monitoring
- Checking baby’s growth and heartbeat
- Urine tests to screen for conditions like gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia
- Ultrasound referrals at key milestones (12-week dating scan, 20-week anatomy scan)
- Discussion of any symptoms, questions, or concerns you have
- Mental health check-ins — perinatal anxiety and depression are common and treatable
Is Antenatal Care Bulk-Billed?
Antenatal appointments at Cronulla Medical Practice are bulk-billed for all patients with a valid Medicare card. There is no out-of-pocket cost for your routine pregnancy visits with us.
If you’ve just found out you’re pregnant, call us on (02) 9544 4004 to book your first antenatal appointment. Let reception know you’d like a longer appointment so your GP has enough time to cover everything.