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Pregnancy is an exciting and potentially nerve-wracking time for expectant parents. Navigating the journey to parenthood with an experienced obstetric team not only offers reassurance at every step, but meticulous antenatal care is also internationally regarded as essential for maternal and infant wellbeing.

Caring for mothers and babies is Netcare Park Lane Hospital’s speciality.

 

First trimester (0 to 12 weeks) In the first weeks of pregnancy, your body starts releasing hormones that will nurture your unborn child’s development in the womb while preparing your body for the changes to come. According to the Netcare birthwise obstetric team at Netcare Park Lane Hospital, as soon as you know you are pregnant, it is important to book your first antenatal appointment, ideally before 10 weeks’ gestation or after missing your second period. At this appointment your obstetrician gynaecologist will examine you, take your medical history and perform your first scan. Here, you will be able to see your baby starting to form and can even see the tiny heart beating from as early as six weeks. This is a special moment, as it is the parents’ first introduction to their unborn child. “Antenatal appointments present an opportunity to discuss all aspects of your pregnancy, and it is vital to tell your maternity team about any symptoms you are experiencing,” says Netcare Park Lane Hospital birthwise coordinator and midwife, Sr Amber Buyl. During the first trimester, it is relatively common for expectant mothers to experience morning sickness, which is characterised by heightened sensitivity to smells, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. This often resolves in the second trimester. “If the morning sickness symptoms are severe, you must bring this to your obstetrician’s attention because in rare cases women may develop a complication known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), which may require treatment to keep mother and baby safe. This is one of the many conditions we check for at this crucial early stage of pregnancy,” she says.

 

Second Trimester (13 to 26 weeks)

By now, the foetus is fully formed, and your obstetrics team will carefully monitor your baby’s growth and heartbeat. Scans at this stage show if the baby will be a boy or a girl, although it is up to the parents whether they want to know this information before the birth.

“We continue to monitor the mother’s health, as there are a few pregnancy-related conditions that can develop during the second trimester. For instance, the obstetric team will test the mother’s blood glucose to check for gestational diabetes, which usually has no noticeable symptoms and monitor her blood pressure for signs of pre-eclampsia,” Sr Buyl says.

Both conditions can cause complications affecting mother and baby if they are undiagnosed and unmanaged, but with early detection and treatment as part of your maternity checks, the risks can be averted for a healthy pregnancy.

Netcare Park Lane Hospital is one of South Africa’s most respected maternity hospitals. It offers multidisciplinary expertise and state-of-the-art equipment for mothers’ and babies’ health needs throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond.

Third trimester (27 weeks until birth)

When entering the third trimester, the frequency of check-ups increases to keep a careful watch over your unborn baby’s development, position and heartbeat in preparation for their arrival. In the final weeks it can feel increasingly uncomfortable for the mother as the foetus grows and places pressure on her bladder and stomach, and she may notice swelling of the ankles and feet.

Sr Buyl says that antenatal classes are recommended for the mother-to-be and her birth partner starting from as early as 20 weeks’ gestation, to be ready for the delivery.

“During our antenatal classes, we discuss everything you need to know – from birthing positions and what to expect when you go into labour, to caring for your newborn and breastfeeding advice,” she says.

With the introduction of Netcare birthwise, access to the state-of-the-art maternity facilities at Netcare Park Lane Hospital has become more affordable for members of most medical aid benefit options that list the hospital as a designated service provider (DSP). From the first appointment to the baby’s birth, including scans, tests, consultations, and antenatal classes, the obstetricians’ and hospital fees are all within medical aid rates on this innovative programme.

“Caring for mothers and babies is our speciality at Netcare Park Lane Hospital, and we welcome this opportunity to extend the benefits of high standards of maternity care to more families,” says Endri Kruger, general manager of Netcare Park Lane Hospital.

“As always, our services are underpinned by Netcare’s commitment to the best and safest person-centred health and care to provide a strong foundation for the next generation’s future.”

For more information, please visit https://www.netcare.co.za/Portals/0/Images/Content-Images/PDF/Netcare-parklane-hospital-Maternity-guide-sml.pdf

Ends

References available on request

Notes to editors
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