Dr Nikki Yates- women's health and menopause GP

24/12/2024

I hope you all have a lovely christmas and a healthy new year. It is christmas eve and I want to announce the safe arrival of our christmas miracle Bronte Felicity who arrived last Monday under the wonderful team at Gold coast private maternity/grace private who were incredible. Special thanks to the midwives at GCPH, Dr Adriana Olog our wonderful obstetrician who made an emergency c section birth to be a lovely experience and Dr Tina Fleming our fertility specialist who made this dream possible. We are smitten

01/12/2024

Please note I am now on maternity leave until further notice! Can't wait to meet our girl soon.

For all enquiries and appointments please call reception or book online with one of my colleagues who have access to your records and results and are happy to assist you until my return.

Important- If you have had a test done recently and onwards I encourage you to book a follow up for the results regardless if you recieve a follow up recall message or not as every doctor works differently in how they mark results. This will ensure you have peace of mind that your results have been actioned and a follow up plan. Whilst my results are being checked in my absence by my colleagues, it is important to double check if you are expecting results that everything is ok. Many thanks for understanding.

Have a happy healthy christmas and new year!

18/11/2024

Last few days and times available before maternity leave end of next week. Book now to review scripts, test results etc.

Appointments available at time of writing Tuesday and Thursday next week and Thursday this week for existing patients. A couple also left tomorrow at time of writing this.

New patients please note I am unable to take over your care at this time. Please see our website to book with a colleague

23/10/2024

My last day at work will be Thursday 28th November before heading off to have bub and spend some time with her. If you have outstanding script renewals, test results that are due in this period get your bookings in early so not to miss out at the last minute. If you miss this date (or bub makes an early appearance!) don't worry my colleagues will have access to your files and results and will be able to assist you whilst I am on leave until I am back. ❤

12/10/2024

Saturday education day "empowering womens health". Thanks to all the speakers for a great day covering breast, fibroids, endometriosis, cervical screening, heavy menstrual bleeding and menopause hormone therapy.

23/09/2024

Plenty of free appointment times this week- a rare occasion due to people being away for school holidays! So if you are putting off that health check, pap smear or issue that has been bugging you, it may be a good time to book.

Schedule online at www.myhealth.net.au/helensvale

Appointments available tomorrow

Myhealth Helensvale is a Mixed billing Medical Centre conveniently located at the popular Westfield Shopping Centre in Helensvale. Our practice is located on the outside of the shopping centre, next to Pacific Smiles and the Post Office. We are open to the public six days a week.

12/09/2024

R U OK? Day at work today with the best colleagues. Always know we are here to help if the answer is no

16/08/2024

A common myth in pregnancy is that you can't continue your usual exercise. When I told my family about the baby my dad told me to "put my feet up". Like any women has time to put their feet up these days! But also what do we know, putting your feet up in pregnancy and becoming sendentary increases risks not only of blood clotting but of gestational diabetes, pre eclampsia and high blood pressure. Continuing to be active throughout providing you have not been told to stop by your doctor has major benefits for mum, bub and not forgetting the mental health benefits too.

There are a few misconceptions about exercise in pregnancy
1) you cant lift weight
2) you shouldnt put your heart rate above 140
3) you need to stop at a certain gestation

It is safe to lift, aslong as it is comfortable for you. If you havent lifted before its not advisable to go full pelt but you can start light. Avoid straining/breath holding during heavier movements too as this can put pressure on your pelvic floor. Higher reps and lighter weight may be easier as your pregnancy progresses. The photo is me squatting half of my usual weight now at 21 weeks.
Be guided by your body. Your ligaments are stretching and lax especially the pelvis. If it hurts- stop. Avoid laying flat on your back from around 16 weeks. Do things on an incline if needed.
Be aware of your core- your abs will be seperating to allow space for baby, you may be weaker than before. Crunches etc are best swapped for simple core exercises to avoid doming or tenting abs which can worsen diastesis/seperation.

When it comes to heart rate- you should not exceed an 8/10 on exersion. If you are super fit and a runner before pregnancy you can continue but your heart rate at baseline is 30% higher than usual so cardio endurance may be lowered. Listen to yourself and dont get dizzy/too short of breath as baby takes space.

When it comes to gestation- the further along you get, the larger the belly and centre of gravity shifts balance. Being careful to widen stance and not go too deep to avoid over balancing or over straining. But no need to stop until you feel it is too much.

Focus on high protein intake. Fat increases during pregnancy and this is normal.

It can be very confusing to find the right information out there on exercise. Feel free to have a chat to me regarding this at your antenatal appointments.

08/08/2024

Today seems a fitting time to make this special announcement public to you all, as officially half baked today and it is starting to show- I am excited to announce me and my husband are expecting a baby girl for christmas this year! Some of you know as I have shared with some who have experienced similar difficulties, that our journey to this baby has been a very long and difficult one, of many years. We never thought our time would come so to finally be here feeling the kicks is surreal today! Don't worry, I will be planning on working until early December all being well and will return to the clinic after a few months off precious time with bub. Whilst I am off you are in great hands with my wonderful colleagues at Myhealth Helensvale who also do pregnancy care, menopause medicine and womens health.

* As a result of the precious cargo I am currently not seeing patients with infectious symptoms face to face but ask kindly that you book telehealth instead (this can only be booked by phoning us) or if you feel it is important to be seen face to face please book with one of my lovely colleagues at the clinic to protect bub as some infections can be a risk to pregnancy and me.*

03/08/2024

More cpd education today. Maternity shared care update at gold coast university hospital. Finding out some new resources to be able to support mums with pregnancy and postpartum. Make sure the GP you see for pregnancy is shared care accredited which means they have attended further education in maternity care.

28/07/2024

Back to the clinic on Tuesday after a great work trip but fully booked at the moment on this day. If you need an urgent appointment it is worth ringing the clinic at 8am Tuesday to check as we sometimes have cancellations on the day, and slots are sometimes held and these can be booked by reception only not online on the same day for urgent issues only (limited slots subject to availability)

Appointments still available Thursday this week for less urgent concerns/scripts/result reviews and follow ups.

Please if you no longer need your appointment let us know and cancel in plenty of time so we can give your appointment to someone else. Thanks in advance.

23/07/2024

Having the best time at the conference in Queenstown this week. So icy cold but unbeatable spot for some education!