Frequently asked questions

Dr Christine Thevathasan has been in private practice since 1998.

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Dr Christine Thevathasan graduated from Monash University with Honours in 1986, and received her Obstetrics & Gynaecology qualifications from the Australian College in 1997.

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Dr Thevathasan has theatre lists at Cabrini hospital, Malvern and Brighton and at The Cradle in Hawthorn. She is excited about transferring her obstetrics practice to The Cradle in June 2011.Dr Thevathasan has a public gynaecology surgery list at Sandringham Hospital once a month.

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Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

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There are 2 reasons you need a referral:

One is to enable your GP to communicate what has happened and any results.
The second is so that you can access the specialist rebate from Medicare; without a referral the rebate is much lower.

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A referral from a GP is valid for 12 months from when it is first used.

One from a specialist is only valid for 3 months.

There are very few conditions in gynaecology for which an indefinite referral is appropriate.

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Dr Christine Thevathasan takes time off through the year for conferences and annual leave; she may often have time off on weekends as well. She has a group of fellow practitioners who will care for you during these times. They are Dr Tim Sturrock, ,Dr. Manju Agarwal, Dr Brendan Steele, and Dr Gareth Weston.

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Flying itself is not of great risk to pregnancy, though as a general rule it should be avoided in the last month. Both pregnancy and long-haul flights are individually risks for DVT (blood clots in the leg) so this should be discussed. An equally important factor in this question is the destination to which you are flying. Flying within Australia and NZ is safe. 

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For most women, colposcopies are managed with no difficulty. Some women have a reaction to it, however, and feel faint afterwards. This usually passes in a short time, and almost all women can drive after it.

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• After abdominal surgery (hysterectomy and Caesareans), you are not safe to drive for 4-6 weeks.
• After vaginal surgery, the time period is shorter (3 weeks or so).
• After laparoscopic surgery, you shouldn’t drive until your abdomen has stopped feeling tender.
• After other day case surgery, you should be ready to drive on the day after UNLESS you are still feeling a bit drowsy.

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Gap Cover will apply in some instances only. Depending on your health fund, there will be a small out of pocket fee.

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For most couples, we can delay discussing and starting contraception until you are seen at your 6-week check. If you are not breastfeeding and plan to resume sexual intercourse before this visit, you should start it earlier.

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Bleeding after delivery comes from the healing placental site, and the slow decrease in size of the uterus to it’s normal size; this process can take 6-8 weeks. Bleeding may last this long, but it is usually not very heavy and not every day. Bleeding may be heavier when breast-feeding, and occasionally may be a little heavier as a “scab” dislodges from the placental site.

After discharge from hospital, your bleeding shouldn’t be heavier than a period. If this occurs for more than a short while, or you have abdominal pain (except when breast-feeding) or a persistent temperature, please let me know.

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If you would like to make an obstetric booking this is being organised through The Cradle.

For surgical bookings we will advise the hospital of your relevant surgery details and you will be given paperwork from the hospital to complete and return to the hospital.

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The result of your Pap smear is automatically sent to the Victorian Cytology Registry unless you request otherwise or you are a temporary resident. We do not send reminders for routine smears to patients, though your GP may. When you are informed of your result, you will be told when your next one is due. The Register will notify you if you are overdue a smear.

If you have been referred for the management of an abnormal smear, you will be clearly informed of when your next smear is due. If you need to be followed up at this practice, a reminder will be sent after that time.

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While Dr Christine Thevathasan provides a wide range of gynaecological care, for some areas you may be better referred to another specialist; this may be because of greater expertise, or sub-specialisation requirements:

• urinary problems
• diagnosed cancers
• IVF
• advanced / severe endometriosis

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