From planning to postnatal
Pregnancy & Preconception Care
Pregnancy is a good time to have a GP who knows you and can walk alongside you. I offer preconception advice, shared antenatal care with the Royal Hospital for Women, and postnatal care for you and your baby - so much of the journey can be looked after close to home.
In brief
- Dr Amanda Henderson offers preconception advice, shared antenatal care and postnatal care in Maroubra.
- She is a registered shared antenatal care provider with the Royal Hospital for Women, Randwick.
- It's ideal to see a GP about three months before trying to conceive.
- Much of routine pregnancy care can happen locally, coordinated with the hospital.
What I can help with
Before you conceive
Ideally we'd meet a few months before you start trying. We can review your health and medications, check immunity and screening, start folate, and talk through anything specific to you - including planning after 35 or with an existing condition.
Shared antenatal care
As a registered shared care provider with the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, I can look after much of your routine pregnancy care locally, coordinating with the hospital for your scans, tests and birth.
Through your pregnancy
We'll keep an eye on your health and your baby's, arrange the recommended tests and screening, and talk through the everyday questions - food and medication safety, nausea, exercise, and how you're feeling.
After the birth
The six-week check looks after both mother and baby. We can also support feeding, sleep, recovery, contraception and perinatal mental health - for as long as you need.
When it may help to see a GP
- You're thinking about trying for a baby in the next year
- You've had a positive pregnancy test
- You'd like shared antenatal care close to home
- You're approaching your six-week postnatal check
- Pregnancy or new parenthood is feeling hard
What a consultation may involve
At a first pregnancy visit we'll confirm dates, talk through your health and history, arrange your early tests and screening, and set up a plan for the months ahead - including whether shared care suits you. There's no rush; it's a chance to ask anything that's on your mind.
Care is provided by Dr Amanda Henderson, a family GP (FRACGP) in Maroubra.
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Common questions
What is GP shared antenatal care?
In shared antenatal care, your routine pregnancy check-ups happen with your GP close to home, while the hospital manages your scans, specialist care and the birth. It means continuity with someone who knows you, with the hospital's expertise behind you.
Can a GP do pregnancy shared care with the Royal Hospital for Women?
Yes. I'm a registered shared antenatal care provider with the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, so many of your routine antenatal visits can happen here in Maroubra, coordinated with the hospital.
When should I see a GP before trying to get pregnant?
Ideally about three months before you start trying. That gives time to start folate, review your medications and immunity, address any health issues and answer your questions - so you go into pregnancy well prepared.
What happens at a pre-pregnancy (preconception) GP appointment?
We talk through your health and history, review any medications, check immunity and screening, recommend folate, and discuss anything specific to you - including planning after 35 or with an existing condition.
I've had a positive pregnancy test - what happens at the first GP visit?
We confirm your dates, talk through your health and history, arrange your early tests and screening, discuss food and medication safety, and set up a plan for the months ahead - including whether shared care suits you.
What does the six-week postnatal check involve?
It looks after both mother and baby - your recovery, mood and contraception, and your baby's growth, feeding and development. It's also a natural time to raise anything that's been on your mind.
Related reading
- Perinatal Mental Health: When Pregnancy or New Parenthood Feels Hard4 min
- Positive Pregnancy Test: What Happens at the First GP Visit4 min
- Pregnancy Safety: Food, Medicines, Vaccines and Everyday Questions4 min
- Shared Antenatal Care With a GP and the Royal Hospital for Women4 min
- The Six-Week Postnatal Check: Looking After Mother and Baby4 min
Sources & further reading
For general information from trusted Australian sources. These are a starting point, not a substitute for advice about your own situation.
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Ready to book?
Appointments can be made online through HotDoc, or call the practice - I'd be glad to help.