Shared Antenatal Care in Melbourne | Eleanor Clinic

Shared Antenatal Care in Melbourne | Eleanor Clinic

Planning a family or newly pregnant? Eleanor Clinic offers Shared Antenatal Care in Melbourne for low-risk pregnancies — combining hospital expertise with the continuity and personalised support of your trusted GP.

If you’re looking for antenatal care in Melbourne, pregnancy GP care, or a shared care pregnancy program, our experienced team is here to guide you through every stage with warmth, expertise, and continuity.

What is Shared Antenatal Care?

Shared Antenatal Care is a popular pregnancy care option in Melbourne that allows you to share your care between a hospital and your GP.

You’ll attend some appointments at your chosen hospital, while most of your routine pregnancy visits happen at Eleanor Clinic with a GP who knows you and your health history.

Our doctors — Dr Naima Rahman, Dr Bea Sgro, Dr. Caroline Cousins and Dr Antje Theilhaber have all done specialised training and are accredited to provide shared care with:

  • The Royal Women’s Hospital
  • Joan Kirner Hospital

This means you receive trusted hospital maternity care alongside consistent GP-led pregnancy support.

Benefits of Shared Antenatal Care

Continuity of Care Throughout Pregnancy

One of the key benefits of shared antenatal care is continuity of care — seeing the same GP throughout your pregnancy.

This allows us to:

  • Understand your medical history in depth
  • Provide consistent, personalised advice
  • Build a trusted relationship and get supported by our great network of local pelvic health physiotherapist, perinatal psychologists, lactation consultants
  • Support your emotional wellbeing by being holistically cared for.

Continuity is especially valuable during pregnancy, helping you feel more confident, informed, and supported.

Whole-Family, Holistic Care

At Eleanor Clinic, we provide family-centred pregnancy care — not just antenatal visits.

We support:

  • Your physical health
  • Your mental health
  • Your partner or support person
  • Your baby’s care after birth

Because your GP continues caring for you beyond pregnancy, your care is seamless from preconception to postnatal and beyond.

Inclusive Antenatal Care for Every Family

We are proud to offer inclusive antenatal care in Melbourne, supporting all family structures and pregnancy journeys.

We warmly welcome:

  • Dads and non-birthing partners
  • Same-sex couples
  • Single mums and solo parents
  • IVF and assisted conception journeys
  • Diverse family and cultural backgrounds

We actively include your partner or support person in your care and ensure every family feels respected, safe, and supported.

Convenient, Local Pregnancy Care

With shared care, many of your appointments take place at Eleanor Clinic — making pregnancy care more convenient and accessible.

Benefits include:

  • Shorter wait times
  • Easier appointment scheduling
  • A calm, familiar environment. Clinic garden to enjoy some fresh air and sun, if the weather allows .

Access to Melbourne’s Leading Hospitals

You’ll still receive care and give birth at your chosen hospital, ensuring access to specialist maternity services.

We work closely with:

  • The Royal Women’s Hospital
  • Joan Kirner Hospital

This ensures safe, coordinated care throughout your pregnancy.

Preconception Care in Melbourne

Thinking about starting a family? Booking a pre-pregnancy check-up is one of the best things you can do.

Our GPs provide preconception care in Melbourne, including:

  • Health checks and screening
  • Medication review, vaccinations
  • Fertility and cycle advice
  • Mental health support
  • Chronic condition management

Being as healthy as possible before pregnancy supports the best outcomes for you and your baby.

Early Pregnancy Care – Book Your First Appointment

If you’ve just found out you’re pregnant — congratulations!

The first trimester is a critical time for your baby’s development, and early care is essential.

We recommend booking early for:

  • Pregnancy confirmation
  • Blood tests and early scans
  • Discussion of antenatal care options
  • Planning your shared care pathway

Early antenatal care leads to better pregnancy outcomes.

Public vs Private Pregnancy Care in Melbourne

Melbourne offers excellent public and private maternity care options.

At Eleanor Clinic, we help you understand:

  • Shared antenatal care
  • Public hospital care, midwife care
  • Private obstetric care

We’ll guide you in choosing the option that best suits your needs, preferences, and circumstances

Book Shared Antenatal Care in Melbourne

Looking for shared antenatal care near you or a pregnancy GP in Melbourne?

Eleanor Clinic provides personalised, continuous, and inclusive pregnancy care for you and your family.

Book your appointment today to start your pregnancy journey with a team that truly knows and supports you.

Travel with Confidence

Book Your Travel Health Consult at Eleanor Clinic

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of planning your dream getaway — whether it’s soaking up the sun in Bali, exploring ancient temples in Asia, or going on safari in Africa. Travel opens the door to unforgettable experiences, cultural connections, and new perspectives. But before you zip up your suitcase, there’s one important step to ensure your trip is as safe and stress-free as it is exciting: a travel health consultation.

At Eleanor Clinic, we love helping our patients travel well. As your local accredited Yellow Fever vaccination centre, we’re fully equipped to support your travel health needs, wherever your adventure takes you.


Why Book a Travel Health Consultation?

Travel is joyful — but different destinations can come with different health risks. A travel health consult ensures you’re informed, protected, and ready to go.

You’ll meet with one of our experienced doctors for a tailored consultation, where we’ll discuss your itinerary, personal health history, and any recommended or required vaccinations. If you’d like to receive vaccines on the same day, just let reception know when booking, so we can also schedule you in with our nurse.

To make the most of your appointment, we recommend booking at least 6 weeks before your departure.


Travel Alert: Rabies Outbreak in Bali

Bali is a beloved destination for many Australians — but a recent outbreak of rabies in popular tourist areas such as South Kuta, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran Bay, Mengwi Province, and parts of Canggu is an important reminder of the value of travel health planning.

Rabies is a deadly virus that’s transmitted through the bite or scratch of infected animals — particularly dogs and monkeys. While Australia is rabies-free, the same can’t be said for many popular holiday spots.

This year alone, over 13,000 cases of rabies have been reported in Bali, with 25 tragic deaths. Sadly, many of these were preventable.


Peace of Mind with Rabies Vaccination

If you’re travelling to Bali or other high-risk areas, pre-exposure rabies vaccination is a smart step — especially for families, children, frequent travellers, or anyone seeking extra peace of mind.

The vaccine involves:

  • 2 doses, 7 days apart
  • An optional booster at 12 months for long-term protection (up to 10 years)

Going Further? We’ve Got You Covered

Planning a trip to Africa or South America? We’re proud to be an accredited Yellow Fever vaccination centre — and can provide all required and recommended vaccines for your specific destination.

Whether it’s Typhoid, Hepatitis, Japanese Encephalitis, Malaria prevention, or Yellow Fever, we’ve got you covered.


Let the Adventure Begin — Safely

Travel is one of life’s greatest joys — let us help you experience it safely. Book your pre-travel health consultation at Eleanor Clinic today and take off with confidence.

Call us or book online — and remember to mention if you’d like your vaccines done during the same visit.

Happy travels from all of us at Eleanor Clinic!

Welcome Dr Caroline Cousins

Specialist GP with a Heartfelt, Whole-Person Approach

We’re excited to welcome Dr Caroline Cousins, a warm, thoughtful, and highly experienced General Practitioner with a special interest in women’s health. Caroline brings a holistic, patient-centred approach to care — one that supports individuals and families through every life stage.

A Passion for Women’s Health & Menopause Support

Caroline has a particular interest in women’s health, especially around the transitions of perimenopause and menopause. Her approach is evidence-based, compassionate, and tailored to each patient, with a strong focus on helping women feel informed, empowered, and supported through these important phases.

Pregnancy & Postnatal Care

From early pregnancy through the fourth trimester, Caroline offers continuity of care and clear, supportive guidance. She ensures expectant and new parents feel reassured and confident every step of the way.

Family & Children’s Health

With additional training through the Sydney Children’s Health Program, Dr Caroline is a trusted provider for families and children. Her gentle and thorough manner makes her a go-to GP for parents seeking quality, consistent care for their kids.

Reproductive & Sexual Health Expertise

Dr Caroline offers a comprehensive range of reproductive and sexual health services, including:

  • FPAA certification in reproductive and sexual health
  • Accredited Implanon and IUD (Mirena & Kyleena) insertion/removal
  • Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTOP)
  • HIV prevention (PrEP)
  • Continuity of gender-affirming hormone therapy

A Safe, Inclusive Environment for All

Known for her grounded and approachable style, Caroline is committed to creating a welcoming and affirming space for every patient. Whether you’re seeking care for yourself, your children, or your whole family, she’s here to listen, support, and guide you with empathy and expertise.

Book Appointment

GooD4Mum: Reducing the Onset of Diabetes After Gestational Diabetes

Eleanor Clinic is excited to participate in the GooD4Mum study, in collaboration with the University of Melbourne. This study aims to reduce the risk of developing diabetes following gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) through targeted interventions in general practice.

If You’ve Had Gestational Diabetes

If you have had GDM, you will receive an invitation for a check-up with your doctor at Eleanor Clinic. During this visit:

  • We will assess your general health and identify potential risk factors for diabetes.
  • If needed, we will arrange a blood test to monitor your condition.
  • You will also meet with our nurse to discuss further support for lifestyle changes.

 

Our nurse can refer you to a government-funded, free support program called Life. This program offers free sessions with an exercise physiologist and a dietitian to help you make sustainable lifestyle changes. These sessions are free for women who have had GDM or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is a fantastic initiative to support your health and well-being!
If you do not receive an invitation but are interested in participating, please call our friendly reception team to book your appointment.

The Risk of Diabetes After GDM

  • 1 in 5 women develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
  • Women with a history of GDM have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
  • It is recommended that women who have had GDM undergo a diabetes check-up and blood test every 1–3 years postpartum.

 

However, follow-up rates remain low.

  • Research suggests that lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication can significantly reduce the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes.

Key Statistics

  • Over the next 10 years, more than 500,000 Australians are projected to develop GDM.
  • Of these, 60% are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes within 10–20 years, and 5% may develop it within 6 months postpartum.

About the GooD4Mum Program

The GooD4Mum quality improvement (QI) collaborative program is designed to promote rapid changes in general practice, ensuring effective and timely interventions to manage and reduce diabetes risk after GDM.

More Information