We aim to make
your pregnancy a wonderful experience
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How Are We Different?
While childbirth is a highly personal experience, it is one that is shared with others. It is a bodily event that is filled with joy and many physical mysteries. It is a delightful journey that ends with a welcome responsibility and the beginning of a brand new person.
Professional, personalised and friendly care
4D ultrasound scanning of your baby at every antenatal visit
We want to know, understand and accommodate your personal childbirth requests
Easily accessed pregnancy information and communication channels
Dr Gary Sykes
I am a fully accredited, Sydney-based, specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, servicing Norwest Private Hospital, Bella Vista, and the Sydney Adventist Hospital (the San), Wahroonga. My consulting rooms are well located in Norwest.
My goal is to provide you with the best quality of pregnancy care possible. I aim to do this in a warm, friendly and caring environment with attention to your individual needs and requests. ‘Information, communication and relationship’ are the words that summarise the endeavours of my management of you. I want you to enjoy your pregnancy and childbirth experience, as it is one of the most important times in your life.
I have personally managed over 10,000 pregnancies, and so I am an extremely experienced obstetrician.
While I hope you have a very uneventful pregnancy and childbirth journey, it is impossible to know whether this will be the case. Rest assured I am well skilled to successfully manage you and your baby if there are any pregnancy or childbirth complications. I will endeavour to always give you the greatest excellence in all aspects of pregnancy and childbirth care possible.
Your Pregnancy Journey
Having a baby is one of the most important things you will ever do. It is such a special time in your life. I consider it an honour and a privilege to be able to look after you on this exciting journey.
I try to focus on your pregnancy from your perspective –your joy and the excitement and pleasure it will bring to you and your husband/partner. Knowing I have contributed to you having a pleasurable and successful pregnancy, and wonderful childbirth experience and celebrating with you and your husband/partner over the birth of your new baby gives me real joy and a great buzz.
Do you think you might be pregnant? Not sure what to do next?
Frequently Asked Questions
Avoiding significant perineal trauma with childbirth
Rosemarie saw me for management of her first pregnancy. The pregnancy was uneventful. She was admitted to hospital in spontaneous labour when she was 39 weeks gestation. She had an epidural for pain relief in labour. In second stage labour there was slow progress with...
Diabetes in pregnancy
There are two types of diabetes encountered in pregnancy. On most occasions it is gestational (pregnancy induced) diabetes. This is diabetes that has its onset in pregnancy and usually resolves after delivery. Gestational diabetes is a relatively common adverse...
COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy
Last week a pregnant nurse patient and a pregnant GP patient asked me whether they could have the COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant. In the vaccine rollout they are category 1b because of their professions. I advised them, with there being no local COVID-19 cases for so...
Pain relief in labour
There are a variety of options for pain relief in labour. Which one a woman chooses depends on variables such as her background wishes, expectations, labour and childbirth history, her fears, how quickly her labour progresses and developments in the labour. There is...
Zika Virus and Pregnancy
I have been getting more questions about Zika Virus, as it becomes more of a global concern. What is the concern with Zika virus? The main concern with Zika virus has to do with birth defects. Zika infections in pregnant women have been shown to cause birth defects...
Why postnatal care is important
Before answering this question, what is the postnatal period needs to be considered. Postnatal care considerations will vary for each postnatal time period. The postnatal period starts after the third stage of labour (delivery of placenta) has been completed. It can...
Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a common and distressing pregnancy and postpartum problem. It is usually urinary stress incontinence. Stress incontinence happens when the bladder sphincter muscle does not function well enough to hold in urine in the bladder. Recently I was...
Tests during pregnancy
What tests are needed In my pregnancy? Pathology Tests In early pregnancy (usually following the first visit) tests are arranged to check for anaemia (full blood count and iron studies), thyroid function, blood group, red cell antibodies, blood sugar check (for...
Private vs Public Care for my Pregnancy
Why should I go private rather than public to have my baby? Some of my friends are going public, usually for financial reasons. They are encouraging me to do the same. What are the main differences between private and public pregnancy care? Answer Private health care...
Latest Blog Posts
COVID vaccination hesitation in pregnancy
The large majority of patients tell me at their antenatal visit how they are fully COVID vaccinated, had their first shot or have their appointment for their first shot. CONGRATULATIONS! There is a small minority who have decided not to be vaccinated while pregnant or...
SAN Swaddle update
The Hospital advises… After 1 December 2021, patients must have held obstetrics cover exclusively with HCF for 12 months prior to their baby's birth to qualify for the Swaddle program. Previously, patients have been able to switch from a different health fund into HCF...
COVID update for support people staying at Norwest Private Hospital
The Hospital has advised… Support people are ENCOURAGED to remain on hospital grounds for the entire duration. If a support person leaves the hospital grounds to go home/shopping etc. they WILL BE required to have a valid negative swab result on their phone before...
Book an appointment now
- Monday all day 9.00am to 4.30pm
- Tuesday all day 9.00am to 4.30pm
- Wednesday all day 9.00am to 4.30pm
- Thursday morning 9.00am to 12.30pm
- Thursday alternate afternoons 2.00pm to 4.30pm
- Friday alternate mornings 9.00am to 1.00pm
- Friday afternoon 2.00pm to 4.30pm
- Saturday mornings 9.30am to 12.00 midday*
*Saturday morning appointments are not available for initial antenatal visit.
