Your first appointment

HomeMaternity ServicesYour first appointment

Your first appointment at the hospital is also known as the booking-in appointment.

Tests you may need

When you see your GP in early pregnancy, they will refer you for the following tests:

Full blood count
Rubella serology
Hepatitis B surface antigen
Midstream urine (MSU) (to test for infection)
Blood group and antibody screen
TPHA
HIV with or without hepatitis C
Varicella IgG

Each woman is unique and your GP will advise if there are any additional tests recommended for you, based on your medical history.

You may also be referred for an ultrasound. The most common reasons for this are:

to determine when the baby is due for women who are unsure of their dates
a nuchaltranslucency screen which, when paired with another blood test, helps determine your baby’s risk of congenital conditions like Down syndrome

Your GP will discuss these tests to help you chose if they are suitable for you.

For more information on tests in early pregnancy, please see PDF icon NSW Health Having a Baby – Antenatal Care Book

First-appointment

What to bring to the booking-in appointment

Please bring the following to your booking-in appointment.

A hard copy of all of your blood tests and ultrasound reports (images are not necessary) from your pregnancy so far
your referral letter from your GP
Any questions you have for the midwives
Your Medicare card and proof of address

What to expect at the booking-in appointment

We aim to attend the booking-in appointment when you are around 13 - 14 weeks pregnant.

We will attend a thorough assessment so please allow two hours (1/2 hour admin and 1 ½ hours for midwife). We will talk to you about your health up to now and review any tests results you have had.

You will have a general wellbeing check including your weight, blood pressure and baby’s heart rate.
The midwife will discuss youroptions for care and what to expect during your pregnancy
You will be given information about pregnancy health such as healthy eating, exercise and any tests that may be recommended for you.
The midwife will confirm you have a referral for yourmorphology ultrasound (18-20 weeks) is booked and discussAnti D immunoglobulin if you have a negative blood group
The midwives will also answer any questions you may have

How to make your first appointment

To make your booking-in appointment please call the number for the hospital closest to where you live. Either numbers below and our clerical staff will assist you. Occasionally you will need to leave a message and our staff will get back to you.

Please note this may come from a private number.

Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital phone: (02) 9485 6699

Royal North Shore Hospital phone: (02) 9463 2378

The first appointment is also called the booking-in appointment and it is a time for us to discuss and review:

Your pregnancy so far
Your medical history
Any special considerations you have and
How we can best care for you and your baby during your pregnancy labour, birth and after the baby is born.
We aim to see you for the booking-in appointment when you are around 14 weeks pregnant and we suggest you call us a few weeks before that. A GP referral is required to book in to the Maternity services.

It is important you book in to the hospital that is in External Link your local government area. This is to ensure our midwives can provide postnatal care in your home. If you have pregnancy complications that require specialist services at another hospital, we can arrange that for you and help to coordinate your care

If you’re not sure which hospital is in your local government area the staff in each clinic can help you.

How to find us

Royal North Shore Hospital

Parking information:

Metered parking is available along Westbourne and Herbert street
Paid parking is located on P1 and P2
P1 -Enter via Westbourne street, located next to North Shore Private. Parking after 9am can be limited
P2- Enter via Reserve Road from Pacific Highway, more availability later in the day
When you are coming into hospital for a longer-term admission for example when having you baby it is more economical to purchase a three day multi-entry pass (~$38.40). Any time before exiting take your entry ticket to be validated at the Wilson parking office in P2, located opposite the main entrance to the acute services building. This can be used in both P1 and P2.
Concessional parking rates are available to concession card holders and some eligible patients, please speak to your care provider if you have any questions.

Having issues viewing the map? Royal North Shore Hospital map can be downloaded below

Hornsby Hospital

Parking information:

Timed street parking (2P) available on Palmerston Road, Burdett Street, Lowe road and surrounding streets
Paid parking located in multi-storey parking station, enter via Palmerston Road – maximum daily fee (~$10.10)
Concessional parking rates are available to concession card holders and some eligible patients, please speak to your care provider if you have any questions

Having issues viewing the map? Hornsby Hospital map can be downloaded below

Ryde Hospital

Parking information:

There are 350 free car parking spaces spread across six carparks
The main carpark can be accessed via Denistone Road
Un-metered parking available in surrounding streets

Having issues viewing the map? Ryde Hospital map can be downloaded below