For Patients
Become a New Patient with Dr Hannah Sylvester
How to begin your care with us
Welcome
Congratulations on your pregnancy and thank you for your interest in Dr Hannah Sylvester and her team to care for you during this special time. We would be honoured to look after you and to be part of your pregnancy journey.
Dr Sylvester's usual consulting days are Monday and Thursday from 8:30am to 4:00pm, and Friday as needed from 10am.
How to Begin
Three steps from first contact to your first appointment.
Contact Us Early
Once your pregnancy has been confirmed, please contact our rooms to check availability around your estimated due date. Dr Sylvester limits the number of patients she accepts each month to ensure personalised, high-quality care throughout pregnancy and birth. For Dr Sylvester to manage your pregnancy, she requires patients be covered with Medicare and an active maternity policy in their Private Health Insurance.
if you don’t have private health insurance with maternity cover, please contact our rooms to discuss what this involves.
If you are a returning patient, please let our team know when you enquire.
Complete the Prospective Patient Questionnaire
Once availability is confirmed, we'll email you a Prospective Patient Questionnaire after collecting your contact details.
The questionnaire includes information about:
- Your Medicare and private health insurance
- Previous obstetric and gynaecological history
- Significant medical and mental health conditions
- Current medications
- Your preferences for pregnancy care and birth
This allows Dr Sylvester to review your pregnancy, understand your care needs, and ensure we maintain a balanced mix of high- and low-risk pregnancies to provide safe, timely care.
What Happens Next?
Your questionnaire will be reviewed by Dr Sylvester, and our team will contact you within 1-2 business days.
If we are able to offer you care, your first appointment will usually be scheduled between 8-10 weeks of pregnancy. During this visit you'll meet Dr Sylvester and our midwifery team, review your medical history, discuss your pregnancy care plan, and have plenty of opportunity to ask questions.
Before Your First Appointment
Please ensure we receive the following before your appointment
Your GP referral
Antenatal blood test results, including:
- Blood group and antibodies
- Full blood count
- Ferritin
- Thyroid function (TSH)
- Blood glucose
- Vitamin D
- Rubella and varicella immunity
- HIV
- Hepatitis B and C
- Syphilis
- Midstream urine (MSU)
Your dating ultrasound report (if completed)
Your signed Financial Consent Form
Note on referral validity
- GP referrals are valid for 12 months.
- Specialist referrals (including fertility specialists) are valid for 3 months. If your pregnancy extends beyond this period, a new referral will be required to continue receiving Medicare rebates.
- A referral is required to enable Medicare rebates for your appointments.
Parking & Access at SJOG Murdoch
- Patient parking is available on-site at St John of God Murdoch Hospital
- Lift access to the consulting suite
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transport: Murdoch train station
What Happens at Your First Appointment
Three steps from first contact to your first appointment.
When you arrive, our administration team will welcome you and confirm your details. Partners and support people are encouraged to attend.
Dr Sylvester will begin by performing an ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy, establish your due date, and check your baby's heartbeat. You'll receive a printed photo to take home.
Please attend with a comfortably full bladder.
- Your consultation will also include:
A comprehensive medical and obstetric history
- Review of any blood tests and ultrasound results
- Discussion of your personalised pregnancy care plan
- Prescriptions or referrals where required
Pregnancy Screening
We'll discuss recommended screening and investigations, including:
- Genetic carrier screening
- First trimester screening or Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)
- Preeclampsia screening
- Gestational diabetes screening
- Fetal blood group screening (where appropriate)
- Your recommended ultrasound schedule
- Any additional investigations specific to your pregnancy
Referral forms and pathology requests will be provided, and Dr Sylvester will personally contact you if any significant results require discussion before your next visit.
Midwifery Care
As part of your first appointment, one of our midwives will complete a confidential Perinatal
Mental Health Screening (ANRQ and EPDS) with you.
Your partner or support person will then be invited back into the consultation to discuss:
- Nutrition and exercise
- Normal physical changes during pregnancy
- Early pregnancy care
- After-hours contact details for St Mary's Ward and the SJOG on-call Midwifery Team
We'll also provide helpful resources and educational information tailored to your pregnancy.
Before you Leave
Before you leave, our administration team will:
- Arrange your next appointment
- Process your consultation fee
- Submit your Medicare claim electronically
You will generally be seen every four weeks during early pregnancy, with appointments becoming more
frequent as your pregnancy progresses.
An ultrasound is performed at each visit so you can follow your baby's growth, development and
heartbeat. These scans complement, but do not replace, your formal pregnancy ultrasounds, which
remain an important part of your antenatal care.
Pregnancy Management Fees & Billing
A detailed fee schedule is included with your questionnaire.
We are a private billing practice, with payment required on the day of your appointment (EFTPOS only).
Medicare rebates are submitted electronically after payment.
Hospital admission and delivery are generally covered by your private health insurer, subject to your level of cover. Dr Sylvester is a no-gap provider for all major health funds, although we recommend confirming your individual benefits directly with your insurer.
Some services provided within the practice are not eligible for Medicare rebates. Where applicable, you will be advised in advance.
We are committed to transparent fees and informed financial consent throughout your pregnancy.
On occasion, Dr Sylvester may, as clinically required, direct bill to Medicare at no out-of-pocket expense for additional services not listed on our standard schedule of fees. With pending changes to the billing of these services, you may be asked to sign an Assignment of Benefit Form (AoB) for either Pre-Assignment or Post-Assignment of these Services to ensure that compliance with the billing requirements is met. Information on any service that is bulk billed by Dr. Sylvester will be available for you to see on your Medicare App or in your My Health Record.
In-Hospital Services
- When you are admitted to hospital no out-of-pocket expense associated with Dr Sylvester's fees as an inpatient.
- Other providers involved in your care - such as the anaesthetist, paediatrician, ultrasound providers, and pathology services - will bill separately.
Kind Words From Our Patients
Ready when you are
Get in Touch
Make an initial enquiry.