Your Pregnancy Journey
Caring for You and Your Future
Pregnancy is a remarkable journey, and it’s natural to have questions and concerns.
As your obstetrician, A/Prof Karantanis is here to ensure that you feel educated, confident, and secure at every step—from your first consultation and ultrasound, to postnatal visits and beyond. You’re not just another patient; your care is personal and paramount.
A/Prof Karantanis prides himself on being approachable and attentive, ensuring that you receive all the necessary information to make informed decisions. Whether observing an uncomplicated pregnancy or intervening to prevent complications, his ultimate goal remains; a healthy mother, a healthy baby, and a positive birth experience.
Begin Your Journey with Confidence
Enhancing the Birth Experience
Skin-to-Skin Contact
The precious moments after birth are magical. Skin-to-skin contact is a beautiful practice that allows you to hold your baby close, helping to create an immediate bond and supporting the early initiation of breastfeeding.
A/Prof Karantanis is deeply committed to ensuring that all parents, regardless of the type of delivery, can experience this nurturing first contact.
 At St George Private Hospital, he advocated for integrating skin-to-skin contact during caesarean sections whenever possible, allowing families to cherish these first moments together, unless medical urgencies require otherwise.
Comprehensive Antenatal Care
From First Visit to Delivery
Initial Consultation
Starting between 7-10 weeks, your first visit includes an ultrasound to ensure everything progresses well, alongside comprehensive counselling on health, diet, and hospital booking.
Regular Check-ups
Monthly visits to monitor the smooth progress of your pregnancy, with special screenings like the Glucose Tolerance Test at 28 weeks to check for gestational diabetes.
Advanced Monitoring
Utilising a high-resolution 4D ultrasound in our office, A/Prof Karantanis offers you a closer look at your baby during regular visits, enhancing both medical understanding and your personal experience.
Labour and Postnatal Support
Minimising Risks, Maximising Care
A/Prof Karantanis employs strategies to reduce the risk of severe perineal tears, drawing on his extensive research in this area.
Postnatally, he remains available to address any concerns—especially focusing on mental health and pelvic recovery—throughout the critical first six weeks after birth and beyond.
“It is always a profound joy to meet the babies again at their six-week check-up, seeing how they’ve grown and helping mothers transition into this new phase of life” A/Prof Karantanis.
Special Moments with 4D Ultrasound
The joy of seeing your unborn child for the first time can be overwhelming. A/Prof Karantanis cherishes being part of these emotional moments, which are made possible in the comfort of our consulting rooms, reducing the need for multiple external appointments.
Begin Your Journey with Confidence
Your Pregnancy Timeline
A Guided Journey
On this beautiful journey with you, A/Prof Karantanis is committed to providing comprehensive care at every step. Here is what you can expect during your pregnancy.
7-10 Weeks
First Antenatal Visit
Your journey begins with the first antenatal visit, which typically occurs between 7 and 10 weeks—calculated from the first day of your last normal period. During this visit, A/Prof Karantanis will conduct an ultrasound to ensure everything is progressing well. You will also discuss important topics such as nutrition, exercise, weight management, Down Syndrome screening, and booking into your chosen hospital.
2-5 Months
Routine Visits
As your pregnancy progresses, regular check-ups every 4 weeks help ensure that everything is running smoothly. These visits are a great opportunity to discuss any new symptoms and get answers to all your questions.
20 Weeks
Mid-Pregnancy Scan
The 20-week visit is a significant milestone. A detailed morphology ultrasound is performed to examine the anatomy of your baby, providing reassurance and a chance to see your growing baby in detail.
28 Weeks
Glucose Tolerance Test
At 28 weeks, you will undergo a Glucose Tolerance Test to screen for gestational diabetes. This is an important step in ensuring both your health and the health of your baby.
7-8 Months
Frequent Monitoring
After the 28-week mark, visits become more frequent, occurring every 2-3 weeks. These appointments allow A/Prof Karantanis to closely monitor the well-being of your baby and adjust your care plan as needed. The high-resolution 4D ultrasound in our clinic may be used during these visits to check on your baby’s health and development.
Full Term - 9 Months
Final Stretch
From 36 weeks until the birth of your baby, you will have weekly visits with A/Prof Karantanis. These final weeks are crucial for tracking your baby’s position, discussing your birth plan, and preparing for the arrival of your new family member.
Throughout each phase of your pregnancy, A/Prof Karantanis and our team are here to support you with expert care and heartfelt guidance. We look forward to being a part of your incredible journey to motherhood.
Frequently Asked Questions for A/Prof Karantanis
1. What makes A/Prof Karantanis different from other obstetricians and urogynaecologists?
A/Prof Karantanis combines his deep commitment to personalised care with extensive training in both obstetrics and urogynaecology. He is not only involved in direct patient care but also leads advancements in practices, such as promoting skin-to-skin contact during caesarean sections.
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His approach is both scientifically informed and deeply compassionate, ensuring that each patient's individual needs and concerns are addressed.
2. How does A/Prof Karantanis work with fertility specialists to support my journey to parenthood?
A/Prof Karantanis understands that the journey to becoming a parent can sometimes require the coordinated efforts of multiple specialists.
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He works closely with leading fertility experts to provide a seamless and integrated approach to reproductive health.
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This collaboration ensures that all aspects of fertility and conception are addressed, from initial assessments and treatments to follow-up care throughout your pregnancy.
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Whether you are exploring fertility treatments or need specialised care to enhance your chances of conception, A/Prof Karantanis ensures that your care plan is cohesive and tailored to your specific needs.
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By combining his expertise in obstetrics and urogynecology with the specialised knowledge of fertility specialists, he offers comprehensive support.
3. How does A/Prof Karantanis use technology to enhance pregnancy care?
A/Prof Karantanis utilises state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, including a high-resolution 4D ultrasound machine, which allows for detailed views of the fetus during pregnancy.
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This technology not only helps in accurate diagnostics but also enhances the overall pregnancy experience for expectant mothers by allowing them to see clear images of their developing baby.
4. What is A/Prof Karantanis' approach to managing high-risk pregnancies?
With an experienced background in both obstetrics and complex surgical training, A/Prof Karantanis is well-equipped to manage high-risk pregnancies. He emphasises a proactive approach to care, closely monitoring the mother and baby's health throughout the pregnancy and intervening promptly when necessary to prevent complications.
5. Can A/Prof Karantanis help with postnatal care and concerns about pelvic floor health?
Yes, A/Prof Karantanis places a strong emphasis on postnatal care, especially concerning the recovery and health of the pelvic floor. He provides comprehensive post-pregnancy care, including advice and exercises for pelvic floor recovery, and manages any complications arising from childbirth, ensuring a smoother transition to motherhood.
6. How does A/Prof Karantanis support the emotional well-being of his patients during pregnancy?
A/Prof Karantanis understands that emotional well-being is crucial to a healthy pregnancy and postpartum experience. He offers empathetic support, comprehensive counselling, and readily available advice throughout the pregnancy journey. Additionally, he is accessible for any urgent concerns, ensuring that his patients feel supported not just medically but emotionally as well.
Useful Patient Videos
Seeing your baby for the first time on the ultrasound
Childbirth - Understanding Perineal Tears
How to take a Group B swab at home
Useful Patient Websites
Access valuable resources and support from trusted organisations to guide you through your parenting journey
Australian Breastfeeding Association
Learn more about breastfeeding and find support resources at Australian Breastfeeding Association
SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping Foundation
For information on safe sleeping practices for infants, visit Red Nose Safe Sleeping
Perinatal Anxiety and Depression
If you’re experiencing perinatal anxiety or depression, support is available through the Gidget Foundation
New Baby 101 App
A comprehensive resource for new parents addressing frequently asked questions. Visit New Baby 101
Miracle Babies
Miracle Babies provides essential services to support Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) families.
Visit Miracle Babies
Child Feeding
SUCCEED Child Feeding Alliance Limited (SUCCEED) exists to create a world where children with paediatric feeding disorder, especially those who tube-feed, thrive. Visit Child Feeding
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
Australia’s leading pregnancy and baby website, supporting parents on the journey from pregnancy to preschool. Discover more about pregnancy, birth, being a parent and raising a child.
Visit Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
Useful Pregnancy Downloadable Resources
Labour and Birth
Induction of Labour
Learn about the reasons and processes for inducing labour.
Fetal Monitoring in Labour
Guidelines on how monitoring is done and what it helps detect.
Pain Relief in Labour and Childbirth
Explore your options for managing pain during labour.
Pregnancy Care
Antenatal Care during Pregnancy
What to expect during your pregnancy check-ups.
Healthy Eating in Pregnancy
Nutritional guidelines to support a healthy pregnancy.
Exercise during Pregnancy
Safe exercises tailored for pregnant women.
Postnatal Care
The First Few Weeks Following Birth
Guide on what to expect and how to care for yourself and your newborn.
Depression and Anxiety during Pregnancy and Following Birth
Support resources and treatment options.
Specific Conditions and Tests
Amniocentesis
Detailed information on the procedure and its purposes.
Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
Insights into this prenatal test and when it is recommended.
Pre-eclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
Key information on managing this condition.
Understanding and Preventing Perineal Tears
This informative video features advice from women who have experienced significant perineal tears during childbirth. It provides essential information on the types of questions you should ask your healthcare team to reduce the risk of this complication.
Begin Your Journey with Confidence
Contact Us
Ready to discuss your maternity needs? Contact A/Prof Emmanuel Karantanis’s team today to schedule your first consultation.
Let us guide you through each step of this exciting chapter with care, compassion, and expertise.