General Obstetrics
Pregnancy is one of life’s most extraordinary experiences and one where feeling truly supported matters. From your very first appointment to the moment you meet your baby, having a trusted specialist by your side can bring real peace of mind. Whatever your pregnancy looks like, Dr Peter is here to guide you through every step with care, continuity and compassion.
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Private Obstetric Care in Melbourne
Pregnancy comes with a lot of decisions and one of the most important is who you trust to guide you through it. Dr Peter’s approach to private obstetric care is built around continuity. The same specialist who gets to know you early in your pregnancy remains involved throughout your care and the birth of your baby. With more than 30 years in obstetrics and over 7,000 births, Dr Peter cares for pregnancies of all kinds, from straightforward first pregnancies through to those requiring more specialised monitoring and support.
One Obstetrician Throughout Your Pregnancy
Every pregnancy is different and the care you need at eight weeks may look quite different by the time you reach your third trimester. Having continuity means Dr Peter gets to know more than the results of your latest scan or blood test. He understands your medical history, what has happened throughout your pregnancy, the questions you have asked along the way and what matters to you when thinking about birth.
Appointments are also an opportunity to keep talking. Your preferences may change as your pregnancy progresses, new questions may come up and sometimes the pregnancy itself takes an unexpected turn. Your care can change with it. For many women, that familiarity and consistency are an important reason for choosing private obstetric care.
Care That Adapts to Your Pregnancy
You do not need to have a complicated pregnancy to choose a private obstetrician. Some women simply want continuity and the reassurance of knowing who is guiding their care. Others come to Dr Peter because their medical history or pregnancy means they may benefit from additional experience and monitoring.
Dr Peter cares for women across a wide range of pregnancies, including:
- First pregnancies
- Pregnancies following a previous caesarean, including VBAC
- High-risk pregnancies, including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, autoimmune conditions and cardiac or renal conditions
- Multiple pregnancies, including twins
- Pregnancies with abnormal screening results or genetic concerns
- Pregnancies involving placental complications
- Women seeking a Maternally Assisted Caesarean (MAC)
- Women seeking Calm Birthing or HypnoBirthing
- Women who want a single, consistent specialist across their entire pregnancy
What your care looks like will depend on you. If additional scans, investigations or specialist input become appropriate, Dr Peter will explain why they are being recommended and how they fit into the broader picture of your pregnancy.
Your Antenatal Care
Antenatal appointments provide a regular opportunity to check how you and your baby are progressing, review results and prepare for what comes next. In the early stages, appointments tend to focus on your medical and pregnancy history, dating your pregnancy, screening options and any immediate concerns. As your pregnancy progresses, the focus gradually shifts towards your baby’s growth and position, your own health and preparing for birth. A typical pregnancy may include appointments and investigations around:
| Weeks | Appointment | What to expect | Tests & scans |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-10 | First appointment | Full history, exam, birth plan discussion | Dating ultrasound, blood tests |
| 12-13 | Antenatal check | Results review, questions | First trimester screening, nuchal translucency, bloods + Ultrasound |
| 16 | Antenatal check | Growth check, wellbeing | Morphology booking if not done |
| 19-20 | Morphology scan | Detailed anatomy scan | Morphology ultrasound |
| 24 | Antenatal check | Glucose screen discussion | Glucose challenge test |
| 28 | Antenatal check | Position, growth, symptoms | Glucose tolerance test if required, anti-D if Rh negative |
| 32 | Antenatal check | Growth, presentation | Ultrasound, growth |
| 36 | Antenatal check | Birth plan review, what to expect | GBS swab |
| 38 | Antenatal check | Cervical assessment, final preparation | - |
| 40 | Antenatal check / induction discussion | Timing, options, support | Ultrasound if indicated |
| Postnatal | 6-week review | Your recovery, feeding, wellbeing, future care | - |
Preparing for Your First Appointment
Birth planning is not something that needs to be decided at your first appointment. Over the course of your pregnancy, Dr Peter will talk with you about your preferences, previous birth experiences if relevant, how your pregnancy is progressing and the options that may be available to you.
For some women, the goal may be a vaginal birth. Others may be considering birth after a previous caesarean, a planned caesarean or a Maternal Assisted Caesarean. Some women come into pregnancy with a very clear idea of what they would like, while others prefer to make those decisions gradually. The aim is not to create a rigid plan. It is to make sure you understand your options and have time to ask questions, while recognising that sometimes plans need to change as pregnancy or birth unfolds.
Delivering at Frances Perry House
Dr Peter delivers at Frances Perry House, a private maternity hospital located within The Royal Women’s Hospital precinct in Parkville. For women choosing private obstetric care, this provides a dedicated private maternity setting for birth while being located within a broader specialist women’s health precinct.
As Head of Obstetrics at The Royal Women’s Hospital, Dr Peter also works within this specialist maternity environment alongside his private practice. For pregnancies requiring additional monitoring or specialist support, this depth of experience across both routine and complex obstetrics can be particularly valuable.
Pregnancy Due Date Calculator
Estimate your due date and key milestones based on your last period or conception date.
Your Estimated Dates
Estimated Due Date (EDD)
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Current Gestation
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20-Week Scan (approx.)
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Morphology scan
This calculator provides an estimate only. Your due date may be adjusted following your dating ultrasound. Please discuss your individual dates with Dr Peter at your first consultation.
Explore Your Obstetric Care Delivery Options
Some pregnancies need additional support, while some women have particular preferences about how they would like to prepare for birth. You can explore more about Dr Peter’s approach to:
High-Risk Pregnancy Care
Closer monitoring and individualised obstetric care when your pregnancy, medical history or baby requires additional attention.
Maternal Assisted Caesarean
For women who would like to explore taking a more active role in the caesarean birth of their baby where it is appropriate to do so.
Birth Choices
Support in preparing for birth, including Calm Birth and HypnoBirthing® approaches.
Start Your Pregnancy Journey
Dr Peter accepts a limited number of obstetric patients each year so he can provide personalised care, continuity and direct support throughout your pregnancy journey. If you are pregnant or planning to conceive, we encourage you to get in touch early to discuss availability and arrange your first appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Dr Peter be present at my birth?
Yes. As your private obstetrician, Dr Peter will be the specialist attending your birth. This is one of the key differences between private obstetric care and shared care arrangements.
