SERVICES

Pregnancy care and support

Pregnancy should be an exciting time. During your pregnancy, having consistency with the same doctor or midwife is important. Over the course of your antenatal care, your obstetrician is able to develop an understanding of your specific needs as well as those of your partner and your baby. This understanding helps to shape your birth experience in the way that suits you.

David has a special interest in promoting natural birth experiences, with a focus on minimising the intrusive aspects of medical care whilst retaining the safety net of obstetric support. He has experience with waterbirth and breech vaginal birth, which are available and supported in the hospital environment at Lismore. 

This focus on nurturing the moment extends to his methods for women with a history of Caesarean birth, or a need for Caesarean in their first pregnancy. David offers “Natural Caesarean” and vaginal birth after Caesarean (including multiple Caesareans). In addition to traditional private Obstetrician care, David is committed to collaboration with midwives and general practitioners. He is happy to offer women options for shared models of care, whilst retaining the reassurance of his support should a crisis occur in labour.

Benefits of Private Obstetric Care

Specialist training in obstetrics is a long process. In Australia, it takes around 15 years to complete training as a specialist obstetrician, following entry into university. The rigorous entry criteria and training requirements of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) is why Australia is one of the safest countries in the world to give birth.

Having your antenatal care with a private obstetrician care gives you and your family the benefit of this experience, and also comfort of knowing that the same doctor will be involved throughout your pregnancy. This includes your antenatal visits, your labour and delivery, as well as your postnatal care. Your obstetrician will usually be available to you 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, if needed. With obstetrician led care, you have the added security of knowing that the same person can continue your care even if there are unexpected complications. Should you wish to have the additional support of a midwife or doula, this is also welcome, with your obstetrician providing continuity of medical care if and when required in a crisis.

What to expect on your first appointment:

First appointments last for around half an hour on average, but take as long as they need to take. During this time, Dr Addenbrooke will talk with you to find out about your medical background and any current concerns or symptoms you are facing.

For Pregnancy:

Often your GP will have ordered some initial blood tests and ultrasounds, which will all be reviewed and discussed during the visit. David will be interested to know details about any previous birth experiences and also any goals you have for the birth of your current child. If there is any confusion about your “due date”, this will be clarified at this time.
David makes routine use of ultrasound at every visit to check the heart rhythm and fluid around the baby, as well as to monitor growth.
David uses the Lismore Base Hospital birthing suites for labour and birth under his care. During your appointment, it is a good opportunity to find out more about the facilities and what to expect in the hospital system. The new maternity unit at Lismore Base was opened in 2017 and now offers single rooms and private bathrooms for all postnatal patients, as well as the option for partners to stay for the entire hospital admission. All birthing suites have inbuilt pools for use during labour and/or birth.

For Gynaecological Conditions:

An ultrasound over your lower abdomen may be offered, particularly for some issues such as cysts, fibroids or IUDs. A vaginal examination is not often required for many conditions, but in the event this is necessary, female staff are available at the practice for support if required.
Some conditions (such as abnormal pap smears, skin biopsies or IUD insertions) may require a small procedure done in the office. Our staff can help to answer questions in advance if you have concerns about your specific circumstances.
Conditions requiring a surgical procedure under anaesthetic will be booked through one of the 3 hospitals in which Dr Addenbrooke operates. Booking paperwork and information pamphlets about any surgery will be given to you on the day of your appointment, if relevant.

Gynaecology Services 

Dr David Addenbrooke has experience in the full range of Women’s Health subspecialties, including menstrual dysfunction, pelvic pain, infertility, urogynaecology (bladder and prolapse concerns) and gynaecological cancer surgery.

Laparoscopy

This involves operating on the pelvic organs through small (5mm) incisions in the navel and on the underwear line.
 
David’s particular interest is in non-invasive pelvic surgery. He is skilled in complex laparoscopic surgery. When hysterectomy is required, total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) is offered to women under David’s care – avoiding the need, in many patients, for traditional open incisions. David introduced this procedure to the Northern Rivers, and was the first surgeon to offer this to patients at Lismore Base and St Vincent’s Hospitals. Women undergoing TLH can be pain free and ready for discharge on the day following surgery and enjoy a much more rapid recovery compared with open hysterectomy. The majority of surgery performed by Dr Addenbrooke on the fallopian tubes or ovaries also is performed by laparoscopy.
 
David offers laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis, and (where safe) disease is excised, rather than ablated, which can provide longer term relief from pain symptoms and limit the need for repeat surgeries. 

Prolapse and Urinary Incontinence

Dr Addenbrooke offers a wide range of vaginal surgeries for prolapse and bladder incontinence, including advanced procedures such as sacrospinous fixation, paravaginal repair and mid-urethral continence slings. All of the prolapse repair options offered by Dr Addenbrooke are “native tissue” repair and avoid the risk and controversy associated with implanted, permanent mesh. Where added support is necessary, Dr Addenbrooke may recommend a suspension procedure using natural pelvic fascia and ligaments to improve the success of the repair.

Menstrual Dysfunction

Many women suffer from very heavy periods (“menorrhagia”) or very painful periods (“dysmenorrhoea”). Whilst these symptoms can occur at any age, they are particularly common amongst women in their mid forties. Dr Addenbrooke can offer thorough investigation and treatment for these issues. Dr Addenbrooke offers temporary solutions for those wishing to preserve fertility, as well as more permanent solutions for those who have finished their family. Day surgery, by way of an “endometrial resection” has an excellent chance of stopping periods permanently without resorting to hysterectomy.

Abnormal Pap Smears

Dr Addenbrooke can offer investigation, surveillance and treatment for all abnormal pap smear results. Should “pre-cancerous” cells be found, these can be treated simply and effectively by Dr Addenbrooke with a minor day surgery procedure.

Contact

51 Avondale Avenue,

East Lismore NSW 2480

For All Appointments and Enquiries:

Phone: (02) 6621 2241 | Fax : (02) 6622 4335