The Expectations Vs Reality of Childbirth: From Falling Pregnant to Giving Birth and Everything In Between

In this episode, Dr Shauna is joined by Dr Peta Skilbeck - Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and the Founder of Intuition Health, a private women’s clinic on the Central Coast.

Peta is incredibly passionate about women’s health care, particularly with helping women throughout their whole fertility journey and childbirth experience.

In this episode, Dr Shauna and Dr Peta discuss:

• Career overview: why choose obstetrics?
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: what is it? What are the symptoms?
• The 3 criteria to help you diagnose whether you have PCOS.
• Why is not having a regular period a problem?
• Insulin resistance: what is this? How does it tie in with PCOS?
• Is there a cure for PCOS?
• Can you fall pregnant if you have it?
• When in your cycle is the best time to fall pregnant?
• What lifestyle changes can you make preconception to be as healthy as possible?
• How long should you be trying to conceive before you seek help?
• What are the risks of falling pregnant over the age of 35?
• What is AMH?
• Eggs: how many do women have? When should you freeze your eggs? How much does it cost?
• IVF: what is it? What does the process look like for a couple?
• Can you still miscarriage if you go through IVF?
• Birth plans: what are they?
• Expectations vs reality of childbirth.
• Why might you need an emergency C section during childbirth? How is this different to an elective C section?
• Birth trauma: what can you do to prevent this?
• How long is too long past your due date?
• Ectopic pregnancy: what is this?
• A piece of advice for her 20-something self.

For more information and resources from Dr Peta:

Visit her website, Instagram and Facebook pages.

Check out the MotherSafe factsheets, Up the Duff by Kaz Cooke and Legs Up & Laughing by Vanessa Bates.

Dr Peta Skilbeck has a Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMedSci), a Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). She is a Fellow of the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FRANZCOG).

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