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Early Pregnancy

Early pregnancy is a crucial period in which expectant mothers in Australia receive support and guidance to ensure the health and well-being of both mother and baby.

This section of our website provides comprehensive information about the management of early pregnancy, including potential issues, related conditions, symptoms to be aware of, and medical procedures available.

Overview of Early Pregnancy

Early pregnancy refers to the first trimester, which encompasses the first 12-weeks of gestation. This phase is critical for the development of the foetus, and it’s also a period when women are susceptible to certain health conditions that can affect the pregnancy outcome.

Bleeding and pain in early pregnancy is quite common.

The diagnosis of a viable pregnancy, miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy may not be evident with your first visit.

  1. We will advise you to repeat blood test (beta hCG ) a few times, along with an ultrasound scan to locate the pregnancy and also to know the viability or miscarriage diagnosis.
  2. This period can be very stressful. You can see your doctor (GP or specialist) or attend a EPAS Clinic in a Public Hospital. Alternatively, in cases of heavy bleeding or severe pain, we advise you to attend an emergency department straightaway. Depending on your diagnosis, you may need surgical intervention.
  3. Folic acid and Iodine in the form of Prenatal vitamins is recommended during pre-conception until 12-weeks.
  4. Smoking and alcohol should be completely avoided during pregnancy.
  5. Your First appointment with Dr Mane will consist of a full history, height, weight (BMI calculation), baseline blood pressure and booking your blood test for pregnancy.
  6. A dating scan will be arranged at 7-9 weeks period to know more about your early pregnancy.
  7. Regular prenatal check-ups are essential to monitor the health of the mother and the developing baby.
  • Morning Sickness: Nausea and vomiting are common in early pregnancy, affecting up to 80% of pregnancies. While typically mild and manageable, severe cases (known as hyperemesis gravidarum) may require medical treatment.
  • Miscarriage: Unfortunately, miscarriages are a common complication in early pregnancy, with statistics suggesting that up to 20% of confirmed pregnancies end in miscarriage, most often due to chromosomal abnormalities in the foetus.
  • Ectopic Pregnancy: Occurring in about 1-2% of pregnancies, an ectopic pregnancy is a serious condition where the embryo implants outside the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube. This usually requires surgery (laparoscopy).
  • Bleeding: Light spotting can be normal, but bleeding in early pregnancy may signal an underlying problem, such as a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

During the first trimester, several symptoms can indicate normal pregnancy adaptations or potential complications:

  • Common Symptoms: Nausea, breast tenderness, fatigue, and frequent urination.
    Symptoms Requiring
  • Medical Attention: Severe nausea and vomiting, significant abdominal or pelvic pain, heavy vaginal bleeding, or any signs of infection (such as fever or chills).

Early pregnancy care involves various diagnostic and management procedures to ensure the pregnancy is progressing healthily:

  1. Initial Consultation and History Taking: This includes discussing medical history, previous pregnancies, and any current health issues.
  2. Ultrasound Scans: An early ultrasound may be performed around 7-9 weeks to confirm the viability of the pregnancy, check for multiples, and rule out ectopic pregnancy.
  3. Blood Tests: These check for hormonal levels, blood type, Rh factor, and infections that could impact pregnancy, such as rubella immunity and sexually transmitted infections.
  4. Aneuploidy Screening: Offered to detect conditions like Down syndrome or other chromosomal abnormalities. this is offered to all pregnant women between 11-14 weeks. This is called Combined First trimester screening and it is Medicare covered.
  5. NIPT (Harmony Test): A good option for CFTS, but it is not covered by Medicare. The sensitivity and specificity to pickup Down’s syndrome is 99% with this test. This is still a screening test and a diagnostic test.
  6. Early Morphology Scan: Generally done along with CFTS to measure Nuchal thickness and any other major anomalies in the baby which can get picked up early. If you choose to do NIPT test, then this will be arranged separately.

Conclusion

Early pregnancy is a foundational stage for the rest of the pregnancy journey.

Dr Shree Mane is a Sydney Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, and Fertility Medicine sub-specialist with 30+ years of experience. She has achieved specialist registration in India, the United Kingdom and Australia.

She consults and operates across Western Sydney and offers Saturday appointments, as well as telehealth bookings.

If you have a question about a condition or treatment, or would like to book an appointment, please contact us and one of our friendly staff members will happily assist you.

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