Dr Chris Arthur Fertility and Gynaecology

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Benowa, QLD
Dr Chris Arthur Fertility and Gynaecology

Helping individuals and couples’ fertility goals and gynecological concerns.

21/08/2026

You’re Allowed to Change Your Mind During Labour

Women are often told to create a birth plan but not that they can change their preferences at any time. Labour is dynamic, and what felt right at 30 weeks may feel completely different at 5cm!!

What women should know:

• Choosing pain relief later is okay.
• Asking for more support or a different position is okay.
• Reconsidering induction, monitoring or mode of birth is okay.
• Your care team adapts with you - your choices aren’t locked in!

Birth isn’t a test of endurance. It’s a series of moments where you make the choices that feel right for you and your baby.

Our team is here to support you at every stage, moving as quickly or as gently as you need.

16/08/2026

Another very full week. Started out at FSANZ, hearing the evidence for the management for many fertility presentations. Also got to see some of the nursing team out in a social environment. Caught up with the physio who keeps me active mid week and more importantly Milana from the front desk who had brought her Comm games bronze medal in for show and tell! Finished the week watching incredibly talented people piloting amazing machines amazing machines up and down the coast at incredible speed. In between, had clinic and theatre and got to put the learning into practice.

15/08/2026

You’ll still need support after the birth.... it's the fourth trimester!

Most of the focus on giving birth is on labour, but the hours and days after birth can be just as intense. Women often aren’t told how much physical recovery, feeding support and emotional adjustment they may need.

The reality is:
• The first 24 hours can feel overwhelming, even when everything goes smoothly
• Breastfeeding often requires hands on guidance, not just “give it a try”
• Post birth pain, bleeding and exhaustion are normal
• Your hormones shift dramatically, and feeling teary or unsettled is common

Birth is only the beginning - your care doesn’t stop once your baby arrives. The fourth trimester is a crucial time for recovery, bonding, and support and we’re here to guide you through it.

Our team provides dedicated postnatal care to ensure both you and your baby have the healthiest, safest start. Your wellbeing is always our priority.

12/08/2026

Birth doesn’t progress in a perfect sequence....

Most women imagine labour as a neat progression: contractions start, they get stronger, you dilate steadily, and then you give birth. In reality, labour is messy, unpredictable, and often stop–start … and that doesn’t mean anything is wrong.

The reality is:
• Contractions can slow down or pause for hours, especially in early labour.
• Dilation doesn’t always move in perfect centimetre by centimetre steps.
• Your body may take breaks, reset or change rhythm.

This is normal physiology, not failure. Understanding this helps women feel more confident, less panicked and more in control when labour doesn’t follow the textbook.

31/07/2026

A recap of my week:
First two days in Melbourne at the Australian Reproduction Update, hearing from the scientists undertaking exciting research in reproduction and infertility. It was amazing to hear about potential aids to ‘rejuvenate’ eggs and the role of muscles in the female reproductive cycle. It was held in a refurbished prison with a pool built into a corridor between cells that looked too good to stay out of. A couple of days of clinics and consults to do with fertility, endometriosis and antenatal care. Finally, spent today helping out with practical training for rural GP-Obstetrician trainees. Week not yet over however, on call all through the weekend!

20/07/2026

Preterm Labour

Preterm labour is one of the most emotionally challenging complications because it arrives unexpectedly. It can be triggered by infection, cervical changes, multiple pregnancy, or sometimes no identifiable cause at all.

When it happens, our priority is twofold:
• Protect the baby’s lungs and brain with timely medications
• Slow or stop contractions long enough to give the baby the best possible chance

Modern neonatal care has transformed outcomes for preterm babies, but early recognition is still crucial. If you experience pelvic pressure, back pain, cramping or fluid loss before 37 weeks, it’s always worth getting checked.
Early action can make a profound difference.

14/07/2026

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes often surprises women especially those who feel healthy and have no risk factors. It’s caused by hormonal changes in pregnancy that make it harder for the body to regulate blood sugar.

Why does it matter? High glucose levels can affect the baby’s growth, increase the chance of induction or caesarean birth, and raise the mother’s long term risk of type 2 diabetes.

The good news is that it’s highly manageable. With nutrition guidance, monitoring, and sometimes medication, we can keep both mum and baby safe. Most women go on to have uncomplicated births and healthy babies.

I always remind patients, a diagnosis isn’t a failure it’s information that helps us tailor your care.

11/07/2026

Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Hypertension is high blood pressure, and in pregnancy isn’t always dramatic at first but it’s one of the most important complications we monitor closely. Conditions like pre eclampsia can develop quietly, then escalate quickly, affecting the mother’s liver, kidneys and the placenta’s ability to support the baby.

Early detection changes everything. Regular antenatal checks, blood pressure monitoring, and paying attention to symptoms like: headaches, visual changes, sudden swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling "off" or unusually unwell, upper abdominal or reduced urine output allow us to intervene before things become dangerous.

With timely care, most women with hypertensive disorders have safe outcomes. The key is not ignoring the early signs!

02/07/2026

Got to talk with GP’s about recurrent miscarriage at a Pindara education event last week. I was a late addition to the line up (I was booked for later in the year but someone had to pull out at the last minute) so looked a little less professional than my colleagues! Hopefully the attendees got something out of it and it was great to be able to catch up in a less formal environment and discuss gynae and obstetric issues that have been brought to them recently.

29/06/2026

Q&A with Dr Arthur

“How do you stay emotionally grounded when supporting patients through tough diagnoses?”

Supporting patients through difficult diagnoses is one of the most meaningful - and emotionally heavy - parts of my work. What keeps me grounded is a combination of presence, perspective and boundaries.

I stay fully present with each patient. I listen, I hold space, and I acknowledge the weight of what they’re facing. But I also remind myself that my role is to be their anchor, not to carry their storm.

I lean on evidence, experience, a team I trust and take time to decompress after emotionally intense consultations. And I never forget that behind every diagnosis is a person who deserves compassion and hope.

Address

Suite 9, Level 2 Pindara Place, 13 Carrara St
Benowa, QLD
4217

Telephone

+61755975433

Website

https://www.drchrisarthur.com.au/

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