A graduate of The University of Newcastle, Dr Laurie completed general and obstetric medicine fellowship training at The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and The Mater Mothers' Hospital, where she has practiced since 2006.
Dr Laurie is experienced in managing pregnancy complications including hypertensive disease, renal, endocrine, haematological and thromboembolic disorders. Her scope of practice includes preconception counselling, antenatal management and postnatal care. Dr Laurie has also recently been appointed the Phase 1 Academic Coordinator for the University of Queensland - School of Medicine, Mater Campus. As a physician and mother, she is passionate about helping women achieve a healthy and safe pregnancy.
ABSTRACT Pre-pregnancy Assessment
Dr Jo Laurie Women of child bearing age with medical disorders need close attention paid not only to effective contraception, but also to fertility planning, preconception counselling and medical optimization. With unplanned pregnancy rates approaching 50%, this role inevitably falls to the patient’s treating physician, without the opportunity for review by a dedicated high risk preconception team. A “reproductive plan” could be considered an essential part of the regular review appointment, particularly if new
medications are prescribed or a new comorbidity identified.
Preconception care involves assessing maternal health and the potential impact of their disease on the pregnancy BUT also the impact of their pregnancy on the disease. Providing women and their partners with counselling regarding pregnancy risk and the risk to their potential offspring allows them to make informed decisions and appropriate planning.
I will discuss common presentations to our facilities’ preconception clinic for disorders with potentially significant maternal or fetal morbidity or mortality. I will touch on teratogenicity and efficacy of important medications and the risk of superimposed “pregnancy specific diseases”, such as pre-eclampsia.
Pregnancy and pregnancy planning is often the first time women experience health care unrelated to an illness. The well woman model can be empowering and re-engage them in the active management of their disease, with the baby being the primary focus of attention.
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