Dr Chang has been actively involved in obstetrics for over 25 years. He firmly believes in continuity of care. Consequently he is happy to care for any previous patients, even if it is for an unrelated problem.
Subject to patient work load and leave arrangements, Dr Chang is available to care for all obstetric patients including high risk pregnancies. Patients experiencing complication of pregnancy should ask their general practitioner to contact Dr Chang and speak directly with him to make arrangements for care.
Dr Chang is a member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and is part of a network of highly skilled and knowledgeable professionals. In some cases a second opinion, such as tertiary level ultrasound scan maybe required and as such all necessary arrangements will be made for the patient.
First Obstetric Appointment
It is advised to phone Dr Chang's rooms as soon as pregnancy has been confirmed to secure an appointment time. Your first obstetric appointment is at 10 weeks, unless there has been a problem. You will need to bring along a current referral from your GP, private health fund details and your medicare card. Patient detail forms are available here to download, fill out and bring along to your first appointment.
At your first visit, Dr Chang would take a complete medical history and perform a physical examination. He will also do an ultrasound scan to check your baby’s heart beat and also to measure the size of your baby to work out when your baby is due. At this appointment Dr Chang will also arrange for you to have the routine antenatal investigations unless they have been done already.
Antenatal blood tests
The routine antenatal investigations done at the first antenatal visit are:
- Blood group and antibodies screen
- Haemoglobin
- Rubella serology
- Hepatitis B & C serology
- HIV serology
- Syphilis serology
Nuchal Fold Screening
Nuchal Fold Screening is an ultrasound scan done in conjunction with a blood test. Dr Chang will discuss with you and your partner whether you would like to proceed with this test, which is done between 11–13 weeks gestation. The test is not mandatory. The blood test measures two hormones in your blood and the ultrasound scan measures the thickness of the skin at the back of your baby’s neck. By looking at the thickness and the level of the hormones, it is possible to work out the risk of your baby having Down Syndrome. The results will come back as showing high risk or low risk. The results are NOT conclusive. The only way to know for certain is to have an amniocentesis. This test involves a needle being inserted into the uterus and a sample of the fluid from around the baby being removed for examination. There is a risk of miscarriage of pregnancy as a result of the amniocentesis.
NIPT (Non-invasive prenatal test)
NIPT test is a blood test preformed on the mother from 10 weeks gestation to screen the foetus for chromosome abnormalities such as Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome), 18 (Edward Syndrome) and 13 (Patau Syndrome), Monosomy X (Turner Syndrome) and Triplody. This result takes approx. 2 weeks to return a Low or High Risk Result.
Morphology scan
A morphology scan is performed at 18 weeks gestation. The scan is an assessment of fetal structure and growth, placental position and amniotic fluid volume. The scan allows you and your partner to see your developing baby and provides an opportunity for those wishing to find out the sex their baby. The scan is performed by Queensland X Ray Services, they are located around Townsville.
26 week test
At this stage, Dr Chang will arrange for you to have a screening test for Gestational Diabetes.
At the laboratory, they will give you a sweet drink containing 75gm of glucose, a blood sample will be taken at 1 hour and 2 hours. You will need to stay at the lab for the duration. This test takes 2 hours to complete and you will need to fast for 12 hours beforehand.
36 week test
At about 36 weeks pregnant Dr Chang will ask you to have a blood test which monitors your iron levels and looks for Rhesus antibodies. This is also when you have an appointment with the hospital midwives to discuss your preferences for labour and delivery care.
Booking into Hospital
Most of our babies are delivered at the Mater Women's and Children's Hospital, Hyde Park. We give you information about booking in to the hospital and we like you to have done this by 20 weeks pregnant.
Antenatal Classes
Antenatal classes are organized and run by the Mater Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Hyde Park. You are encouraged to book in and attend these classes as they are very informative. Alternatively you can have private one on one class with My Community Midwife – Kathy Ward. You can contact her on 0432 266 732 or send her an email.