Obstetrics

One of the most important periods in your life is pregnancy, and the approach to it can have a profound impact on both you and your baby. Dr Steven Hatzikostas is an expert obstetrician at Northpark Private Hospital in Bundoora, Melbourne, with extensive experience in both normal and complicated pregnancies. At every stage, whether you are about to give birth to your first baby or are dealing with a high-risk pregnancy, Dr Steven and his team are dedicated to providing you with personalised, evidence-based care.

Pregnancy

From the start of your pregnancy, you should feel confident in your knowledge of pregnancy, as this will help you in the journey to come. During your first appointment, our Practice will discuss your medical history, your concerns, and what is important to you.

The care and attention given early in pregnancy can help to detect risks before they escalate into complications. Each pregnancy situation is unique, and so is our plan to ensure there is no generic approach. As soon as you find out you’re expecting, it’s time to find an obstetrician you trust approach.

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Routine Pregnancy Care

Once you’ve discovered you are expecting, it is time to locate an obstetrician whom you feel comfortable with. Enabling antenatal care to begin at the right time ensures that all your routine blood tests, screening scans, and pregnancy milestones are completed in a timely manner, so you don’t miss anything.

Our routine pregnancy care includes:

  • Antenatal visits scheduled around your trimesters
  • Routine antenatal blood tests and investigations
  • Fetal growth monitoring and pregnancy scans
  • Guidance on vitamins, safe eating, and lifestyle during pregnancy

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Complex Pregnancy Care

Not all pregnancies follow the same path, and some require additional monitoring and specialised medical care. A high-risk or complex pregnancy may be associated with pre-existing medical conditions, pregnancy-related complications, or concerns affecting the mother or baby. Dr. Steven Hatzikostas provides comprehensive, evidence-based care for complex pregnancies, ensuring close monitoring, personalised treatment plans, and ongoing support throughout every stage of pregnancy.

Our Specialist has a particular expertise in managing:

  • Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)
  • Antepartum Haemorrhage (APH)
  • Blood Clotting Disorders in Pregnancy (Thrombophilias)
  • Hypertensive Diseases in Pregnancy
  • Diabetes in Pregnancy
  • Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy
  • Recurrent Miscarriages
  • Cervical Incompetence and Cervical Suture (McDonald Stitch)
  • Breech Presentation
  • Multiple Pregnancy – Identical and Non-Identical Twins
  • Fetal Anomalies

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VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean)

If you had a previous C-section and would like to try for a vaginal delivery, you might be a candidate for a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean). VBAC is possible and safe for the right candidates.

Not everyone is suitable; there are strict guidelines that must be followed, and some women face risk factors that make VBAC inadvisable. We’ll carefully review your history, discuss the risks and benefits honestly, and, if a VBAC is planned, complete a specific VBAC consent form. Each case is considered individually.

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Mode of delivery

The mode of delivery is Vaginal birth, Caesarean section, or VBAC. This choice depends on your medical history, your baby’s presentation, and your preferences. We advocate shared decision-making; your preferences are important, and Dr Hatzikostas will always share his clinical reasoning when making any recommendations.

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Postnatal care

It is not the end of the road, it’s the starting line. It is a wonderful and overwhelming time known as the postnatal period, a time of physical recovery, hormonal change and adjusting to life as a parent of a newborn. Our doctors also offer postnatal reviews to ensure you heal properly and to address all your concerns in the first few weeks after your baby is born.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is IUGR in pregnancy? −

IUGR stands for Intrauterine Growth Restriction, meaning a baby is not growing as expected for its gestational age, often due to placental issues. Asymmetrical IUGR, where the head grows normally, but the abdomen is smaller, is the most common type. Management includes serial growth scans to plan the safest delivery time.

What is antepartum haemorrhage (APH)? +

Antepartum haemorrhage is vaginal bleeding after 20 weeks of pregnancy and before birth. Common causes include placenta praevia and placental abruption. Any bleeding in pregnancy requires prompt assessment by your obstetrician.

What is the difference between identical and non-identical twins? +

Identical (monozygotic) twins come from one fertilised egg that splits, sharing the same DNA and sex. Non-identical (dizygotic) twins come from two separate eggs and two sperm, making them genetically no different from any other siblings. Non-identical twins are more common.

Can I have a VBAC after a caesarean? +

Many women can safely attempt a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) if there are no contraindications. Factors include the reason for the previous caesarean, the number of prior caesareans, and the current pregnancy. Dr Steven reviews each case individually and discusses the risks and benefits with you.

What is a blood-clotting disorder in pregnancy? +

Thrombophilias are inherited or acquired conditions that increase the tendency to form blood clots. In pregnancy, they can affect the placenta, raising risks of miscarriage, growth restriction, abruption, and preeclampsia. Screening is recommended for women with relevant history, and management may include low-dose aspirin or anticoagulants.

What is a footling breech? +

A footling breech is when one or both of the baby’s feet are positioned to come first at delivery. This type of breech is considered a higher risk for vaginal delivery than a frank or complete breech. Caesarean section is usually recommended for footling breech presentations.