FAQS

Obstetricians are doctors who specialise in managing pregnancies, and importantly minimising the risk to both mother and baby through providing constant monitoring, advice and sometimes medical intervention. Obstetricians can offer pre-conception, pregnancy, birth and post-natal care as part of a holistic approach to pregnancy management. With particular interest in general and high-risk Obstetrics, Dr Gloria Sham at Nurture Women’s Care is equipped to provide specialist care for all expectant mothers.

There are many benefits of choosing a private Obstetrician, including:

• Guaranteed access to an Obstetrician throughout your pregnancy and during delivery
• Continuity of care & support from your chosen trusted specialist
• Opportunity to receive ongoing care after birth for pregnancy and other woman related care
• Build a rapport with your Obstetrician throughout the pregnancy, which helps reduce stress and worry for expectant parents
• More flexibility with the choice of your maternity hospital and the length of stay post-delivery

For more information about specific benefits, visit our Obstetrics page or contact Nurture Women’s Care today!

Yes. Our doctors at Nurture Women’s care are specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. A referral from your GP is needed before you contact us for an appointment. You will also need a referral if you would like to receive any Medicare Rebate.

Yes, depending on the level of services required, out-of-pocket fees are charged for our consultation.

If you would like to receive Medicare rebates, a GP referral will be needed. Please contact our clinic regarding out of pocket expenses for Obstetrics services.

You will need to bring:

• Referral from GP
• Any antenatal blood test or ultrasound results
• A list of medication that you are taking
• Questions that you would like to ask your Obstetrician

Yes – you absolutely can. There are several triggers that can lead to a woman seeking our services before they fall pregnant. These include:

• Experiencing difficulty falling pregnant
• Concerns about past pregnancy experience
• Existing or past medical conditions

It is our job to hold a woman’s hand throughout her entire pregnancy journey, which includes before it has even really begun. For more information, visit our Pre-Conception page, or contact Nurture Women’s Care today!

At Nurture Women’s Care, we recommend that you book your first Obstetrics appointment with us around 8-10 weeks gestation. This is an excellent opportunity for us to meet and get to know each other. During this appointment, our doctor will take a detailed medical and pregnancy history and complete a physical examination.

Visit our Pregnancy page for more information, or contact Nurture Women’s Care today!

We will ask you to come in at specific times and at varying frequencies throughout your pregnancy to ensure we are monitoring you and your baby sufficiently.

At Nurture Women’s Care, we would like to see you in your first Obstetrics visit around 8-10 weeks gestation. During the first and second trimester, antenatal visit will be scheduled every 4 weeks until 28 weeks of gestation. Then antenatal visit will be scheduled at every 2 weekly intervals until 36 weeks of gestation. From 36 weeks of gestation onwards, we would like to see you weekly until your delivery.

In case of having a high risk pregnancy, you will have an antenatal appointment schedule individually tailored to your unique needs.

Visit our Pregnancy page for more information, or contact Nurture Women’s Care today!

Gynaecologists are doctors who specialise in women’s health, especially related to the female reproductive system such as uterus, ovaries, cervix and vagina. It is very common for a Gynaecological condition to have a negative impact on your general health and to affect your quality of life. At Nurture Women’s care, Dr Gloria Sham is here to listen and to offer personalised care to suit your needs.

Yes, depending on the level of services required, out-of-pocket fees are charged for our consultation.

If you would like to receive Medicare rebates, a GP referral will be needed. Please contact our clinic regarding out of pocket expenses for our Gynaecology services.

No – this is a common misconception. While a mild degree of cramping or discomfort is common, pain that is worse and potentially increasing with each period could stem another medical condition such as endometriosis. If you are experiencing painful periods, visit our Endometriosis page, or arrange to see us at Nurture Women’s Care today.

A cervical screening test provides protection against cervical cancer, which is widely recognised as one of the most preventable types of cancers. In December 2017, the Cervical Screening Test replaced the Pap test in Australia. Where the Pap test only detected cell changes in the cervix, the Cervical Screening Test can detect the human papillomavirus (HPV). The test is extremely straight forward. For women aged from 25 to 74, the test is due two years after your first Pap test, then routinely every 5 years. For more information, visit our Abnormal Cervical Screening page, or contact Nurture Women’s Care today!

If your cervical screening test returns an abnormal result, you will be referred to a specialist Gynaecologist who will perform a colposcopy.  Dr Gloria Sham at Nurture Women’s Care will provide specialist care following an abnormal cervical screening test and will educate you on what to do moving forward to safeguard your health. For more information, visit our Abnormal Cervical Screening page, or contact Nurture Women’s Care today.

A colposcopy is a close examination of a woman’s cervix (or neck of womb) to identify any abnormalities using a special microscope called colposcope. A colposcope can also be used to examine abnormal cells in the woman’s genital tract either inside or on the outside of the vagina. The examination can be uncomfortable but it should not be painful. Most women tolerate a colposcopy examination very well in the clinic setting. This examination does not require anaesthetics or stay in hospital.

A colposcopy may be recommended to you by your health care provider after an abnormal cervical screening test (CST) or if you have an abnormal looking cervix during CST or experience any symptoms such as bleeding after sexual intercourse.

At Nurture Women’s Care, we are equipped with “The GRACIE”-a premium Gynaecology examination couch with a high definition digital colposcope. It is connected to a monitor, if you like, you can watch the procedure as Dr Gloria Sham explains the examination. Whilst the idea of attending any Gynaecological appointment worries most women, the gentle and caring approach from Dr Gloria Sham together with her finest equipment and dedicated staff will put your mind at ease.

For more information, visit SA Health’s Fact Sheet: Colposcopy.

The menopause transition, also known as perimenopause, includes the years leading up to your final menstrual cycle, and extends until a year after your final period. The most common symptoms associated with this stage of transition include:

• Hot flushes
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Restless sleep
• Irritability and lack of concentration
• Fatigue
• Decreased sex drive

For more information about menopause and its stages, visit our Menopause page, or contact Nurture Women’s Care today.

There are many contraceptive options available in Australia to suit women and men at various stages of life. At Nurture Women’s Care, it is our priority to educate you and recommend the best method of contraception after learning about your needs and future plans. We will help you to understand the pros and cons associated with reversible and permanent methods of contraception. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to contraception, so it is important for you to complete a health assessment prior to deciding on which method is best for you. For more information, please visit our contraception page or contact Nurture Women’s Care today.