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

Reflecting on the first eight babies I delivered as a medical student in 1992, and the over 4,000 since then, I am continually moved by the pure joy of childbirth. Each birth reminds me of when I first became a father and understood the profound purpose of our lives.
A/Prof Karantanis

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.

7-10 Weeks

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.

2-5 Months

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.

20 Weeks

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.

28 Weeks

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.

7-8 Months

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.

Full Term - 9 Months

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

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.

 

His approach is both scientifically informed and deeply compassionate, ensuring that each patient's individual needs and concerns are addressed.

A/Prof Karantanis understands that the journey to becoming a parent can sometimes require the coordinated efforts of multiple specialists.

 

He works closely with leading fertility experts to provide a seamless and integrated approach to reproductive health.

 

This collaboration ensures that all aspects of fertility and conception are addressed, from initial assessments and treatments to follow-up care throughout your pregnancy.

 

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.

 

By combining his expertise in obstetrics and urogynecology with the specialised knowledge of fertility specialists, he offers comprehensive support.

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.

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Breech Presentation at the End of your Pregnancy

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.