Dr Tan provides a private antenatal care and management of pregnancy and delivery service for women of Canberra and the surrounding suburbs. He specialises in high risk pregnancy and ultrasounds, however manages and delivers all types of pregnancies, from uncomplicated singleton pregnancies, to pregnancies with medical complications and even multiple pregnancies. 

Dr Tan only delivers patients at Calvary John James Private Hospital who have private health cover for obstetrics. You will need to check with your private health fund to ensure that you have cover for obstetric services on your due date before arranging a referral and appointment.

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Management of Pregnancy and Labour

Pregnancy is a joyful and exciting time, but occasionally it can be complicated with certain medical conditions. Dr Tan aims to treat pregnancy as normal as possible, but to remain vigilant to any potential complications.

From your first visit with Dr Tan, you and your family will feel at ease with the level of care and compassion Dr Tan commits to each patient. His attention to detail and high level of expertise will fill you and your family with confidence and reassurance throughout your pregnancy and labour.

Dr Tan aims and encourages natural vaginal delivery, however with close monitoring and discussion with you, Dr Tan will determine whether this is the best and safest option for you and your baby.

Planning and Management Fee Explanation

Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)

Non Invasive Prenatal Testing is a simple and low risk form of genetic testing available to women who have past 5 weeks gestation. It is a blood test that analyses cell free DNA in the maternal blood and gives a strong indication of whether the fetus is at a high or low risk of having Trisomy 21, Trisomy 18 or Trisomy 13.

The results are generally available to Dr Tan within 10 working days. Dr Tan endeavours to call each of his patients with their results the day that he receives them, if the result returns showing a high risk of the fetus having either of the trisomy abnormalities, then counselling and further testing (CVS or Amniocentesis) can be arranged with Dr Tan.

Nuchal Transulency Scan (NTS at 12 Weeks)

The Nuchal Translucency Scan is an ultrasound performed between 11 weeks and 3 days and 13 weeks and 6 days. It is normally performed trans-abdominally, but in some cases a trans-vaginal scan may be necessary.

The NTS combines results from a specific blood test that is taken around 11 weeks gestation with ultrasound results which assess the fetal anatomy and measure the nuchal fold (pocket of fluid at the back of the fetus’ neck) to give an adjusted risk of each of the Trisomy’s (13, 18 and 21)

Dr Tan will provide you with a request form for a blood test at one of your earlier consultations (between 6-10 weeks). We recommend you have the bloods taken 4-5 days prior to your booked NTS, so the results are available to Dr Tan in order to provide you with your complete First Trimester Risk Assessment on the same day. Dr Tan will thoroughly explain the ultrasound findings with your adjusted risks and any follow up testing that would be recommended.

You are welcome to have members of your family join you for the scan. It is important to remember that this is a diagnostic procedure and Dr Tan will need to concentrate on the images of your baby.

Invasive Prenatal Testing (Chorionic Villus Sampling, Amniocentesis)

Invasive prenatal testing is available at Dr Tan’s consulting rooms. The tests are optional for patients who have received a high risk result after a NTS scan or NIPT.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

Chorionic Villus Sampling, otherwise known as CVS is a procedure available to patients who are between 12-14 weeks pregnant. A CVS involves the examination of chorionic villi (placental tissue). Cells of the chorionic villi almost always have the same chromosomes as the fetus. Therefore, any abnormality in the chromosomes of the fetus are also found in the chromosomes of the chorionic villi.

How is a CVS performed?
An ultrasound is performed to confirm the dates of the pregnancy and to check the position of the fetus and placenta. A local anaesthetic is applied to the mothers’ abdomen and under ultrasound guidance a fine needle is passed through the abdomen and into the placental tissue. A small sample of the chorionic villi is collected, which only takes about 60 seconds. The needle is carefully observed during the procedure using ultrasound. After the needle is safely removed, Dr Tan will repeat an ultrasound scan to ensure the fetal heart beat is normal.

When will the results be ready?
The FISH (Flourescence In-Situ Hybridisation) result, which analyses the 5 main chromosomes most commonly associated with aneuploidy, will give a result within 2-3 days. The long term culture of the chromosome analysis is available within 1-2 weeks, due to the time frame required to grow the cells. Dr Tan will inform you of your results and will discuss counselling and any follow up management that is required.

Risks and aftercare
The risk of having a miscarriage resulting from a CVS is less than 1%. Dr Tan can discuss with you the associated risks, compared to your high risk of T13, T18 or T21.
In some patients they may experience some light spotting and cramping during the 24-48 hours following the procedure. In almost all cases, this stops on its own and does not affect the baby or the pregnancy. A consultation with Dr Tan is encouraged if these symptoms continue, or if you have any other abnormal or new symptoms. It is recommended that you have a restful day and do not participate in any strenuous activities. A medical/carers certificate can be provided for the day of procedure.

Amniocentesis

An amniocentesis is another procedure that is available at Dr Tan’s consulting rooms for patients who are past 15 weeks gestation.

An amniocentesis involves the examination of cells in the fluid that surrounds the fetus, otherwise known as the amniotic fluid. The cells in the amniotic fluid originate from the fetus and so the chromosomes present in these cells would be the same as those of the fetus.

How is an amniocentesis performed?
An ultrasound is performed to confirm the dates of the pregnancy and to check the position of the fetus and placenta. A local anaesthetic is applied to the mothers’ abdomen and under ultrasound guidance a fine needle is passed through the abdomen and into a pocket of fluid Dr Tan has located. This pocket of fluid is a safe distance away from the fetus and placenta. A small amount of fluid (about 20-30ml) is withdrawn, which only takes around 60 seconds. After the needle if safely removed, Dr Tan will repeat an ultrasound to ensure the fetal heart beat is normal.

When will the results be ready?
The FISH (Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridisation) result, which analyses the 5 main chromosomes most commonly associated with aneuploidy, will give a result within 2-3 days. The long term culture of the chromosome analysis is available within 1-2 weeks, due to the time frame required to grow the cells. Dr Tan will inform you of your results and will discuss counselling and any follow up management that is required.

Risks and aftercare
The risk of having a miscarriage resulting from an amniocentesis is less than 1%. Dr Tan can discuss with you the associated risks, compared to your high risk of T13, T18 or T21.

In some patients they may experience some light spotting and cramping during the 24-48 hours following the procedure. In almost all cases, this stops on its own and does not affect the baby or the pregnancy. A consultation with Dr Tan is encouraged if these symptoms continue, or if you have any other abnormal or new symptoms. It is recommended that you have a restful day and do not participate in any strenuous activities. A medical/carers certificate can be provided for the day of procedure.

Morphology Ultrasound (18-20 Weeks)
The Morphology scan is a detailed ultrasound performed between 18 and 22 weeks gestation. It is sometimes referred to as a Fetal Anomaly Scan (FAS).
During this ultrasound, Dr Tan examines each part of the baby’s body and records measurements. He determines the position of the placenta, assesses the amount of amniotic fluid and measures fetal growth. Special attention is paid to the fetal brain, face, spine, heart, stomach, bowel, kidneys and limbs.
Dr Tan will discuss the ultrasound and results with you, if the position of the baby permits, Dr Tan may also be able to tell you the gender.
You are welcome to have members of your family join you for the scan. It is important to remember that this is a diagnostic procedure and Dr Tan will need to concentrate on the images of your baby.
Growth Ultrasound
A growth ultrasound is performed to monitor and compare growth of the baby, position of the placenta, the amount of amniotic fluid and general health of the baby. A growth ultrasound can be performed at any stage of the pregnancy, however after the morphology scan a growth ultrasound is usually performed at around 32 weeks gestation.

As a private obstetric patient of Dr Tan, you will have an ultrasound performed at most of your appointments, where he monitors growth, AFI and Doppler measurements. Dr Tan will discuss the ultrasound and results with you during the scan. You will be able to take home a copy of your report and a CD with pictures on it of the ultrasound.

You are welcome to have members of your family join you for the scan. It is important to remember that this is a diagnostic procedure and Dr Tan will need to concentrate on the images of your baby.

Other services
  • Doppler and AFI monitoring
  • Monitoring for multiple pregnancy
  • Monitoring for small gestational age baby