Choosing an obstetrician is one of those big pregnancy decisions that can feel exciting, overwhelming and deeply personal all at once. You are not just booking appointments. You are choosing someone to guide you through pregnancy, birth and those early postnatal weeks with calm, experience and care.
For local mums considering private maternity care, Dr Kristina King is a Sutherland Shire obstetrician and gynaecologist providing personalised pregnancy, birth and postnatal care at Kareena Private Hospital in Caringbah.
What does an obstetrician actually do?
An obstetrician is a specialist doctor who looks after women throughout pregnancy and birth. Obstetricians are trained to support physiological birth, while also having the medical expertise to manage any issues or complications that may arise along the way.
In Australia, obstetricians are also trained as gynaecologists, which means they care for women’s reproductive health across many different life stages.
As a private obstetrician, Dr King gets to know each patient throughout their pregnancy. Her role is to use her experience and knowledge to guide, support and care for women through pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period.
When should you book your first appointment?
Dr King usually likes to see patients at around eight weeks. The first trimester can be a time when many women value extra reassurance, especially if they are managing early pregnancy symptoms, feeling anxious, or have experienced pregnancy loss before.
An early appointment also means patients are linked in with specialist care from the beginning. Dr King offers in-house first trimester ultrasound, which can be helpful for reassurance, and some patients may be seen earlier or more frequently depending on their history.
For women with a more complex medical history, Dr King may recommend a preconception appointment to help optimise their health before falling pregnant.
What does private obstetric care involve?
Private obstetric care is a model of maternity care where a woman chooses her obstetrician and receives personalised care with them throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.
With Dr King, this means continuity of care. She sees her patients for antenatal visits, supports their labour and birth care, and remains accessible for medical concerns after the baby is born.
Her first appointment includes a longer “booking in” visit, where she explores medical history and any factors that may influence pregnancy or birth. From there, she develops an individual pregnancy management plan.
As pregnancy progresses, appointments include routine pregnancy care, education, fetal surveillance where needed, medical management if required, and conversations around birth preferences and philosophies.
Will an obstetrician support a physiological birth?
This is one of the big questions many mums have when considering a private obstetrician, and Dr King’s answer is yes.
Dr King is supportive of women’s birth choices and believes there is nothing better than supporting a woman in the birth she hopes for. Her role is to be present, guide care where required, and ensure labour and birth progress in a way that is safe for both mum and baby.
For many families, that combination of choice, continuity and medical support brings a lot of peace of mind.
What is it like delivering at Kareena Private Hospital?
Kareena Private Hospital’s maternity services have supported local families since 1992 and are based in Caringbah. The hospital provides maternity care before, during and after birth, with personalised and flexible support for women and their families.
When Dr King’s patients come into Kareena in labour, they are supported by a midwife, with Dr King guiding their care as needed. Both Dr King and the midwife are present for birth, and a specialist paediatrician is also available if required.
Postnatally, women have support from midwives, lactation consultants and paediatric care. Dr King also performs regular postnatal checks to make sure her patients are recovering well. Her service includes midwifery and lactation input, as well as postnatal home visits to help mums feel supported once they leave hospital.
Why local mums choose Dr Kristina King
Dr King is known for her personalised approach, continuity of care and support of women’s choices. Her rooms are conveniently located on Kingsway in Caringbah, directly opposite Kareena Private Hospital, which also means she can be present quickly for labour and birth.
As a mum of two herself, Dr King brings not only specialist medical experience, but also a personal understanding of pregnancy, birth and early motherhood.
Her care is supported by friendly reception staff, an in-house midwife and lactation consultant, creating a more holistic model of pregnancy and postnatal support.
For mums looking for a private obstetrician in the Sutherland Shire, Dr King offers specialist care with a local, approachable feel.
To book an appointment with Dr Kristina King, call 02 7506 8363 or make an online enquiry through her website.
Book online: drkristinaking.com.au
