Children - can I bring my child/children?
We welcome anybody you wish to attend with you. However, we suggest you do not bring children as complex problems may require considerable time and the presence of young children may make it difficult for you and your partner to concentrate on these important issues.

Cost - what are our charges?
Patients will be informed of charges in advance. In the first instance charges for consultations will not be above the Medicare schedule fee. Consideration is offered in cases of financial hardship.

Enquiries - how do I enquire about MFAC?
Meg Espie at Melbourne Ultrasound for Women, Telephone 03 9663 3999, Fax 03 9663 3555. Email address info@mfac.com.au.

Location - where are we?

The centre is located at Melbourne Ultrasound for Women, 62 Lygon Street Carlton 3053. Melbourne Ultrasound for Women is a specialist centre in prenatal diagnosis and gynaecological ultrasound. The full range of state of the art ultrasound equipment is available including 3D ultrasound. This location allows ready access to ultrasound, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling and other tests and treatments when appropriate (see details of these tests at www.melbuswomen.com.au).

Parking - where do I park?
When there is no street parking, parking is available next door at the Downtowner Motel on a one car per patient basis. Ask the motel reception staff for a ticket.

Patients - can we look after you?
We welcome patients who wish to enquire about prenatal tests, either because they are at particular risk, or simply because they are concerned. The second group of patients are those in whom there is either a suspicion of, or a proven, fetal abnormality. Our specialist panel is available to offer information and, when appropriate, management. The commonest reasons for referral to us are:

1. Pregnant women considering prenatal diagnosis The range of prenatal tests now available means that it is very confusing for couples to decide which test they wish to have. Tests include blood tests, ultrasound examinations and procedures such as amniocentesis and chorionic villous sampling (CVS). All pregnant women, not only those at special risk, should consider which tests to have. There are advantages and disadvantages of each. Our Geneticist, Dr. Sue White, and counsellors are here to guide couples through the maze of tests.



2. Women planning pregnancy who wish to enquire about prenatal diagnosis This includes women who consider themselves at special risk because they are "older", or because of a previous experience or a family history of fetal abnormality. We encourage women to make these enquiries before pregnancy, not only to give themselves time to consider the range of tests, but also to resolve differences that a couple may have themselves concerning prenatal testing plans. Pre-pregnancy counselling is particularly recommended when there is a family history of one of the less common inherited diseases such as cystic fibrosis and thalassemia.



3. Pregnant women with a diagnosis of fetal abnormality or a raised risk of abnormality in one or more of the tests. Women in this situation will find particular value in the range of specialists available at our centre, each of whom has the experience, interest and expertise to provide both counselling and treatment. It is frightening to be told that there may be fetal abnormality present. It is a time of major decision making. To make decisions relies on having the most up to date information clearly explained and such up to date information requires input from a range of doctors with differing expertise. For example, if a cleft lip is found on ultrasound then there are issues around the management of the cleft lip itself, but there is also an increased chance of other abnormalities, hence we may recommend that a Geneticist be involved. There are prenatal tests for some of these abnormalities, but couples need some perspective on the likelihood of other abnormalities that cannot be found on testing. Our multi-disciplinary group is able to provide best available answers to those questions.

Referrals - who refers me to you?
Patients attending our centre need to attend with a referral to one or more of our doctors from their managing doctor.

What happens when I come to the clinic?
When you come to our centre you will first have a consultation with the appropriate specialist(s). Your problem will then be discussed with the larger MFAC group to obtain the broadest possible perspective on your problem. A recommended plan of management will then be fed back to you and your doctor. MFAC provides the opportunity for couples to request to interview a group of doctors, this is likely to prove to be particularly helpful when the outcome is uncertain, or the management options complex. Following this process, you will then be managed by your own doctor in the normal way unless he or she request other managements.

When do we meet?
Patients are seen each Monday afternoon, following which there is a clinical meeting at 5.30pm. to discuss problems. Provision is made for urgent requests at other times.