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 at least 15,000 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
Can pregnancy increase the risk of breast cancer?
Pregnancy is the most significant modifiable factor known for breast cancer risk in women. Although an initial increase in risk occurs immediately after parturition in women older than 25 years, the overall lifetime risk of breast cancer decreases after pregnancy. The...
Checklist for pregnancy care
We are often asked about ‘what happens when’ with pregnancy care. With that question on mind I have put together the table below as a guide. 8 Weeks First visit with me for most patients I will give you a referral for routine pregnancy tests, NIPT Screening (if...
Should I use Google and chat rooms for pregnancy information?
An anxious patient contacted me on Thursday evening. She had a pregnancy-related discomfort and decided to search on Google for the reason. She became concerned about what she read. She came to the conclusion from what she read that she had a particularly serious...
Choosing your baby’s name
I was chatting with a patient and her husband about whether they had thought of a name for their soon to be born baby. This lead to the husband telling me of a friend who knew of a child with the first name ‘Abcde’. The parents of Abcde obviously thought this was a...
Is the umbilical cord around my baby’s neck?
It is not unusual for a patient to ask: “Is the umbilical cord around my baby’s neck?” The reason for the question is the patient is anxious about this and is concerned the umbilical cord being around baby’s neck (nuchal cord) will adversely affect baby’s wellbeing....
Checklist for when deciding to have a baby
I am asked from time to time: “How can I prepare to have a baby?” So, I have put this checklist together which covers the points that are relevant before you start trying. Health fund. Make sure you have appropriate health fund cover that covers you for confinement in...
Braxton Hicks contractions and labour pains
Braxton Hicks contractions Braxton Hicks contractions are named after the English doctor John Braxton Hicks who first described them in 1872. He reported many women felt contractions without being near confinement. He said this process was usually painless, but caused...
Supporting your partner in labour
As the husband/partner you have a very important role in supporting your wife/partner during labour and childbirth. There is huge excitement and anticipation that you both have for meeting your new baby. But as well there is anxiety and indeed even fear. Your...
Checklist for when baby is almost due
I am asked from time to time in advanced pregnancy: “Baby is almost due – what do I need to do?” Pack Your Bag. By about 36 weeks pregnant have your hospital bags packed. Make a written note of last minute items you will need to add. It is better if you should have...
Latest Blog Posts
SAN Hospital Postnatal Ward
Today I visited patients on the postnatal ward at the SAN (Sydney Adventist Hospital). What impacted me is something I have been aware of since the Clifford Tower opened. That is how good the postnatal ward is. The postnatal ward is actually two joined (Baldwin North...
Cerebral palsy has many possible causes
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a brain disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination. Cerebral palsy is caused by changes in the developing brain that disrupt its ability to control movement and maintain posture and balance. The term cerebral refers to the...
When should you contact the Birth Unit?
While I am available to be contacted by phone (business day hours), by email and by social media messaging you can also contact the Birth Unit 24 hours per day and if she is concerned the midwife will contact me. If you think the matter is an emergence then phone the...
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.
Fax: (02) 9680 1499