There’s something special about being cared for by someone who genuinely knows the area, the hospital and the community around you.
For Dr Andrew Zuschmann, the Sutherland Shire is not just where he works. It is home. A lifelong Shire resident now raising his own family here, Andrew has cared for patients at Kareena Private Hospital for nearly 20 years and says it genuinely feels like home. He loves bumping into patients out and about at Westfield or Cronulla Mall, and seeing some of the thousands of babies whose births he attended growing up around the Shire.
Consulting from Anaria in Miranda and delivering at Kareena Private Hospital, Andrew offers private obstetric care with a strong focus on open communication, shared decision making and supporting each woman’s birth preferences.
His approach is warm, collaborative and evidence based, with a clear belief in “your birth, your choice.”
What led Dr Zuschmann into obstetrics?
Andrew says he wanted to be a doctor for as long as he can remember, apparently announcing it to his parents when he was just six years old.
During university rotations, it was obstetrics and gynaecology that captured his attention. For him, the joy and excitement of sharing in the birth experience never gets old.
He also values the balance that comes with obstetrics, gynaecological surgery and fertility care. Supporting a person or couple from preconception through to birth brings immense professional satisfaction, particularly when he can walk alongside them through such a significant chapter of life.
What does obstetric care look like with Dr Zuschmann?
Obstetric care with Dr Zuschmann is about more than checking that pregnancy is progressing safely. It is about building a relationship, answering questions, making informed decisions and helping women feel confident as they move closer to birth.
As a specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist, Andrew has completed extensive medical and specialist training through RANZCOG. He is also involved in training future obstetricians and helping maintain standards in women’s healthcare across Australia, which keeps him closely connected to the latest evidence and current practice.
In appointments, patients can expect routine pregnancy care, ultrasound where appropriate, time to ask questions and clear discussion around anything being monitored as part of their individual pregnancy management plan. Extra or urgent appointments are available when needed, and Anaria also has a practice midwife available by phone for quick questions or reassurance.
Andrew describes his style as compassionate and collaborative, with open communication and shared decision making at the centre of his care. He typically ends consultations by asking whether there are any questions or concerns, making sure each patient and their support person has the opportunity to be heard.
When should you book your first appointment?
Andrew likes to see patients between six and seven weeks of pregnancy. This early appointment helps confirm that the pregnancy is in the uterus and progressing as expected.
For this reason, he recommends calling soon after a positive home pregnancy test to book an appointment.
For many women, those early weeks come with plenty of “what ifs”, so an early ultrasound can provide helpful reassurance and answer some of the big questions that naturally come up at the beginning of pregnancy.
What are some common early pregnancy questions?
Dr Zuschmann’s view is simple, no question is silly.
Early pregnancy can bring a lot of uncertainty, and chances are, if you are wondering something, plenty of other women have wondered the same thing too.
Many people want reassurance that the pregnancy is progressing well. Others have questions about lifestyle changes, food safety and exercise. Dr Zuschmann explains that very few changes are needed for most people, with the main considerations being food safety and keeping exercise at a level where you can still maintain a conversation.
What should women look for in a Sutherland Shire obstetrician?
According to Andrew, one of the most important things is finding someone you actually look forward to seeing at your antenatal visits.
Every obstetrician has a different personality and style, so it helps to look at websites and social media profiles to see whether there is alignment. If you have a partner, it is also important that they feel included in the journey.
For women looking for compassionate, collaborative care with open communication and shared decision making, Dr Zuschmann’s approach may be a good fit.
How does Dr Zuschmann support women feeling anxious or overwhelmed?
Pregnancy can be joyful, but it can also feel overwhelming. Andrew wants women to know they are not alone.
His approach acknowledges how people are feeling and creates space to talk through specific concerns carefully. When there are worries about the pregnancy, he works through them clearly so patients understand what is happening and what the next steps are.
He also works with GPs, psychologists and support agencies such as Gidget Foundation when additional emotional support is needed.
Caring for local families at Kareena Private Hospital
Andrew Zuschmann has been caring for patients at Kareena Private Hospital for nearly 20 years, and says the hospital genuinely feels like home.
He values Kareena’s compact and cohesive team, where staff work together to create a consistent, personalised maternity experience. For him, high quality care means patients are well supported from the front door to labour ward, the maternity ward and operating theatres when needed.
For local families, there is also something reassuring about having private maternity care close to home. Dr Zuschmann cares for patients from across Sydney, interstate and occasionally overseas, but says there is nothing quite like local, especially when it is the Shire.
Kareena Private Hospital’s maternity team includes obstetricians, paediatricians, delivery suite midwives, postnatal midwives, lactation specialists and staff trained in neonatal care, helping families feel supported throughout birth and early postnatal care.
Why local mums choose Dr Andrew Zuschmann
Dr Zuschmann brings together long standing local experience, specialist obstetric and gynaecological knowledge, fertility expertise and a strong belief in shared decision making.
His areas of interest include pregnancy care, fertility, endometriosis, PMOS, minimally invasive gynaecological surgery, contraception, menstrual disorders and menopause. His profile with Kareena Private Hospital also notes his additional qualification of a Master of Reproductive Medicine from UNSW and more than 25 years of experience in women’s health.
Innovation has also been part of his work. Dr Zuschmann co-developed the protocol supporting maternal assisted caesareans at Kareena, becoming the first obstetrician to offer this choice locally.
Most importantly, he is a strong believer in “your birth, your choice” and aims to support women wherever possible to fulfil their birth preferences.
For mums looking for a private obstetrician in the Sutherland Shire, Andrew offers experienced care with a genuinely local understanding of Shire families.
To book an appointment with Dr Andrew Zuschmann, call 02 95267477.
