Welcome to Rob Buist Obstetrics! Rob and his team are here to provide High-Risk Obstetric care so that we can join you on a safe and healthy pregnancy and birth experience. We want to make sure your journey to parenthood is as smooth and safe as possible and we will be with you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about our services and schedule an appointment with Rob.
Giving birth to a baby is one of the most important – and beautiful – things a woman can do. For some women, this is a straightforward process, but for others it can be a more difficult and challenging proposition. Women who face pregnancy challenges require more specialised care and would be wise to seek the services of an obstetrician with particular experience and expertise in High-Risk Pregnancy care.
Before pregnancy
Contact RobIf you have any pre-existing medical complications, fertility problems or have a history of poor pregnancy outcomes (including recurrent miscarriages, preterm birth, a previous pregnancy affected by a fetal abnormality, a stillbirth or any other type of significant outcome) we would encourage you to make an appointment to see Rob before falling pregnant. At that visit Rob will review your previous experience, review all of your relevant results (lab tests, etc), organise pre-pregnancy tests or referrals (if appropriate) and join you in making a plan for your pregnancy. Please email Rob at [email protected] or call (02) 9388 0110 to schedule an appointment.
When you are pregnant
Contact RobRob and his team can help you through every step of your motherhood journey. From antenatal care to the birth and your aftercare we will be with you every step of the way. We want to make sure that you have a healthy and safe pregnancy – and a healthy baby when it is time for them to arrive.
We know that giving birth is one of the most critical moments in a woman’s life. We work hard to ensure that your experience is positive and memorable. We want you to feel confident and supported throughout your entire motherhood journey. Just contact us as soon as you are pregnant. Either email Rob at [email protected] or call the office on (02) 9388 0110.
What is a High-Risk obstetrician?
A High-Risk Obstetrician (there really should be a better term) is an obstetrician with specific training and experience in caring for women with pre-existing medical conditions, reproductive problems or specific pregnancy complications.
In general, a High-Risk Obstetrician will be 100 percent dedicated to pregnancy care – in other words it is unlikely they will also be a fertility or gynaecology specialist – as it is an all-consuming speciality. In Rob’s case on top of his general O and G training (in Auckland and the UK) he trained in High-Risk maternity care at National Women’s Hospital in Auckland and Guys and St Thomas’ Hospitals in London.
As a specialist, he worked as part of National Women’s Hospital High-Risk pregnancy service (also known as “The Blue Team”) and then spent many years as part of the High-Risk pregnancy service at The Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick.
Rob now has more than 25 years of experience as an Obstetrician dedicated to High-Risk Pregnancy care. He limits his patient numbers in order to provide a very personalised service. First visits with Rob are one hour long so we have plenty of time to assess you and make an appropriate plan for you. Subsequent visits are as long as they need to be in order to meet your needs.
Notwithstanding all of the above, High-Risk maternity care is a team sport. Rob works with many other professionals, many of whom will have a critical part to play in your care. These fabulous people include midwives, physiotherapists, medical specialists, ultrasound specialists, maternal fetal medicine specialists, anaesthetists and paediatricians and even mental health specialists including counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists.
Rob is very fortunate to work with a fantastic team of experienced clinicians and he will make referrals to these professionals depending upon your specific circumstances.
The services that Rob, as a High-Risk Obstetrician, provides include:
- Pre-pregnancy visits – This is often an invaluable opportunity to go through your history and make a plan for your forthcoming pregnancy. Referrals to other specialists such as geneticists or physicians can be made at this time.
- Antenatal Care – This involves checking on the welfare of both Mum and baby and – critically – planning ahead to anticipate potential problems and plan for the birth. In Rob’s case (and not all obstetricians do this) these visits include an ultrasound scan to check on your baby’s growth and welfare. In addition, appropriate referrals will be made (foe example some women need to see an anaesthetist prior to giving birth. The schedule of visits will be crafted to your individual wishes and needs (for example sometimes Rob may see a woman weekly – or at times even more often – throughout her pregnancy).
- Labour and Birth – When your day comes it is your day; office visits will be rescheduled (sorry about that) so that Rob can be at the hospital to dedicate himself to your care during your baby’s birth, however it might occur.
- Postnatal Care – Rob will see you at least daily in hospital after your birth. Again, he will be watching for complications and making sure you are doing well. We conduct an early postnatal visit roughly a week after you have gone home at the office or, if needed, at your home (the overwhelming majority of obstetricians don’t do this) as well as your routine six-week check. However, we vary this schedule entirely according to your needs; to take one example sometimes we are checking a woman’s blood pressure at least weekly as she recovers from preeclampsia.
You will have Rob’s mobile phone number so you can contact him 24/7 if you have any concerns about yourself or your baby.
So, who should see a High-Risk Obstetrician?
Women who are appropriate for High-Risk Obstetric care include those:
- Who will be over 40 years old at the time they will give birth (as they face an increased risk of suffering a miscarriage, a baby with a genetic anomaly, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and – very rarely – a stillbirth);
- Women with an existing medical condition. This is a very long list but it includes women with Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Blood Clots, Lupus, Heart Conditions, Multiple Sclerosis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and many others;
- Women with mental health concerns, especially those who are under the care of a psychiatrist or who are on medication for such a condition;
- Women with significant complications in a previous pregnancy, including a premature birth (for any reason), a baby with a genetic abnormality, significant preeclampsia, or (God forbid) a previous stillbirth or neonatal death;
- Women facing reproductive challenges such as IVF or recurrent miscarriages; and
- Women with none of the above but who would just prefer the assiduous safety conscious care that a High-Risk Obstetrician provides.
And again, Rob’s preference is that you see him prior to pregnancy if at all possible.
How to Choose an Obstetrician?
When choosing an obstetrician, it is essential to:
- Find a doctor who is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology
- Find a doctor who has experience caring for high-risk pregnancies
- Ask your friends or family for recommendations
- Check with your insurance company to see which your plan covers doctors.
- You can also read online reviews, but keep in mind that these may not be accurate.
Rob Buist Obstetrics
As an Obstetrician, I am confident that I have several advantages compared with other pregnancy specialists. These include the following:
Experience
I have over 25 years of pregnancy care experience, including 14 years as a specialist. I have been trained in the United Kingdom, and the majority of my expertise was earned at the National Women’s Facility in Auckland, Australasia’s biggest maternity hospital.
Time
My initial appointments are one hour long, and regular prenatal sessions are 30 minutes long to allow ample time for a complete examination and conversation. I may do an ultrasound scan at each appointment to check on your baby if you choose.
Continuity
I can care for ladies from when they first get pregnant until their family is complete.
Accessibility
I give my patients my cell phone number so that they can contact me directly in the event of any significant concerns arising.
If you are pregnant and looking for an experienced and compassionate doctor, please contact me. I would be more than happy to discuss your care options with you.
Final Thoughts
Many pregnancies and births are quite straightforward. But there are risks associated with any pregnancy and the stakes are even higher for High-Risk pregnancies. Its really important that women who have previously experienced a High-Risk pregnancy, or are at risk of experiencing one, find an obstetrician they can trust and feel comfortable with. If you are pregnant or are contemplating a pregnancy, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Rob at Rob Buist Obstetrics. You can e mail Rob directly at [email protected] or you can call the office at (02) 9388 0110. You can also visit https://robbuist.com.au/why-choose-me/ for more information.