Frequently asked questions
Obstetrics
When should I book?
Ideally at about 8 weeks of pregnancy
What is the usual schedule of visits?
Prior to 20 weeks:
- at booking (7-8 weeks)
- 16 weeks
- 20 weeks.
After 20 weeks:
- 4 weekly until 30 weeks
- then 2 weekly until 36 weeks
- weekly thereafter.
Does Dr. Natalie “share care”?
Yes, for patient’s outside the metropolitan catchment area (north of
Palm Cove, south of Gordonvale and West of Kuranda). This would be
“modified” shared care, and decided on a case-by-case basis.
How much will it cost?
This varies greatly depending on
your health fund and medicare entiltlement. Please contact the rooms to
discuss your individual circumstances and come in for a quotation.
Does Dr. Kiesey-Calding charge a Pregnancy Management Fee (PMF)?
Yes. Details of this should be obtained by contacting reception
staff, as this will vary depending on your circumstances and
entitilements.
Where can I deliver my baby?
Either at the Cairns Private Hospital or the Cairns Base Hospital as a private patient.
Why do I need a paediatrician?
After baby is born, a
specialist baby doctor (the paediatrician) checks that baby is healthy. A
similar check is performed prior to baby going home, and the
paediatrician will also visit every day of your admission in hospital.
This will occur at both hospitals. After your discharge from hospital,
your baby will be checked at 6 weeks of age by their paediatrician. You
will need to check with that particular paediatrician regarding an
appointment, usually through their secretaries at their private rooms.
Please see the “contacts” page for paediatricians telephone numbers and
details. Unless you had a preference, you will be allocated to the
paediatrician taking their turn to be the “paediatrician of the day”.
What ultrasound scans do I need?
“None” is the easy answer, as every ultrasound in pregnancy has to be
referred by a doctor – there are no “standard” scans. However, most
people require a dating scan at 7-8 weeks, then a nuchal translucency at
about 12 weeks, followed by a morhphology scan at about 20 weeks. After
this, scans for the growth and well-being of the baby are done on the
basis of clinical need.
I've received a bill for pathology - why ?
Pathology services are offered through private companies – namely Sullivan and Nicolaides Pathology (SNP) and Queensland Medical Pathology (QML). The government has stopped giving rebates to these companies for the pathology services that they provide to private patients. Out of pocket costs should be small and capped in the case of multiple tests. Any questions on this should be addressed to either SNP (1300 732 030) or QML (1800 350 046) directly, as Dr. Kiesey-Calding has nothing to do with this billing.
Gynaecology
I’ve got my period – what should I do?
If in doubt,
please call the rooms, as depending on what you’re having done will
depend on whether the appointment can take place as planned or not. For
example, if you are booking for a hysteroscopy D&C , then it is very
important not to be bleeding at the time, as the view obtained by the
camera will just be blood.
Does Dr. Natalie generally bulk bill?
No, the service offered at NKC Medical cannot accommodate the Medicare scheduled fee. It is just not financially viable.
Ultrasound
Do I need to drink a lot of water prior to an ultrasound examination?
NO – we would like you to be comfortable. When you arrive have some water if you are in the first 14 weeks of your pregnancy or a gynaecology patient, but not if you are later in pregnancy. If you need to go to the toilet prior to ultrasound, try to leave something in your bladder. Subsequently, we can either send you to the toilet after we have had a look on the ultrasound, or give you some more to drink.
Lactation and Maternity Bra Service
Do I need a referral from my family doctor?
No, this service does not attract an item number through Medicare, therefore no referral is necessary.
Do I need to make an appointment?
Yes, this is ESSENTIAL. Patients of Dr. Kiesey-Calding will have their fitting appointments amalgated into their care schedules for their pregnancies, so don’t need to contact the rooms especially as it should have already been attended to.
Is there a cost for fitting my maternity bra?
Our service is free for Dr. Kiesey-Calding’s patients. It is also free for outside patients provided they buy 2 or more bras.
Fitting for outside patients will be done on Tuesday midday, Alternate Thursday mornings and one Friday morning every month. Please contact reception staff to arrange your appointment when convenient for you.
Who will fit my bra?
Our experienced midwives.
Are there any other products available?
We also fit and supply maternity nightwear and underwear.
General
How do I get there
By car – there is free undercover parking for two hours. Just follow Pierpoint Road around and turn in where the Parking sign indicates. Take a ticket and park your car. When you leave, if you are under two hours, then just scan your ticket at the exit – there is no need to validate it at the machine by the stairwell. If you have been in the carpark for over two hours, then you will need to validate the ticket at the stairwell machine BEFORE you try to exit. This is essential, otherwise it can be very difficult to reverse out of the “exit” lane. If your car is too “tall” for the underground carpark, then there is an above ground carpark opposite the Pier where you can pay by the hour.
Once you have parked the car, take the stairs into the Centre. At the top of the stairs, turn right and either take the stairs or the lift to the Mezzainine level. Come out of the lift and turn left. The rooms are the third on the right hand side.
With a pram – park in the underground carpark and takeƒ the SHANGRI-LA LIFT up into the Shangri-La Hotel to the GROUND FLOOR NOT THE MEZZAININE. Then exit and walk around to your left within the Pier. Find the gym, and enter the liftwell opposite. Take this lift to the Mezzanine level and turn left. The rooms are situated on the right, 3 doors down. There is signage to follow within the Pier.
By taxi – head down Pierpoint Road to the main entrance fronting the outside carpark next to the entrance of the underground carpark. Walk across the zebra crossing into the complex and head for the gym. Stairs and the liftwell are opposite this to take you to the Mezzanine level. Follow the signs to NKC Medical.