Obstetricians are highly experienced doctors trained and licensed to care for pregnancies and related health concerns, including high-risk pregnancies. Obstetricians specialize in helping their patients have successful deliveries and postpartum recoveries safely and quickly.
For help finding an OB/GYN, ask friends and family for referrals before searching American board-certified providers.
Prenatal Care
Prenatal care aims to keep both mother and baby healthy throughout gestation. Women should start seeing an obstetrician or doctor for health care during the first trimester (beginning around 8 weeks), where an exam and comprehensive history is conducted as well as vital signs such as weight, blood pressure and the baby’s heart rate being monitored. They may even provide Group B Strep tests so as to make sure no infection could pass onto her during delivery.
These appointments allow an obstetrician to assess a pregnant patient’s risk for complications and make necessary adjustments, and may recommend screenings such as chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to monitor fetus growth and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), used to detect certain birth defects like spina bifida or Down syndrome. Mayo Clinic’s OB Nest program, combining home monitoring with office visits developed for home pregnancy monitoring purposes has proven safe and effective according to an American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology study published in 2019.
Delivery
OB/GYNs are expert medical practitioners trained to provide support during all aspects of gestation, labor and delivery. They can manage complications like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia or high-risk pregnancies to ensure an ideal experience.
They can assist with vaginal birthing or Cesarean section, depending on the needs of mother and baby. Furthermore, they can answer questions regarding birth control, heavy periods and other gynecologic matters.
No matter if you need an obstetrician for birthing purposes or just prenatal care, finding one who is American Board Certified is key. This certification shows they have gone above and beyond required schooling and training to earn this prestigious recognition; additionally it indicates their dedication to staying up-to-date with developments within their specialty or field of practice. If unsure how to choose, ask family, friends, colleagues or your primary care doctor for recommendations – they can give an idea of patient experience as well as communication styles between different doctors.
Postpartum Care
Obstetricians are well-equipped to address various conditions related to pregnancy and birth. Their services may include physical exams and routine lab work such as anemia screenings, rubella testing and amniocentesis (which helps identify chromosomal abnormalities).
An OB-GYN provides more than just childbirth care; she can also advise pregnant women about prenatal nutrition and fitness during each trimester of gestation. They may help their clients decide between using an intrauterine device or the pill for birth control purposes.
An OB’s role doesn’t end after giving birth. Most new mothers will visit her postpartum provider within six weeks after giving birth for her initial postpartum visit, and this important appointment allows the OB to assess healing, discuss any emotional or psychological concerns related to pregnancy and childbirth, address complications that may arise postpartum recovery – such as heavy bleeding, low iron levels or blood pressure levels, pain or infections that arise postpartum recovery as well as any issues or symptoms they experience postpartum recovery recovery.
Placental Abruption
Placentas connect to your uterus, providing oxygen, nutrition and antibodies for your baby’s development. When they separate too early and cause bleeding – which occurs in approximately 1% of pregnancies – this condition known as placental abruption may result. Symptoms may include blood escaping from vagina or concealed instances where blood pooled behind placenta without visible sign of separation or loss.
Emergency care should always be sought if you experience uncontrollable, heavy vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain. You will be placed on electronic fetal monitoring to monitor the wellbeing of your unborn baby as well as an ultrasound scan of the uterus for any damage; additional blood tests will also be run to ascertain your iron status and blood group classification.
Doctors do not fully understand the cause of placental abruption; however, some women who experience it have had severe abdominal trauma such as in a car accident or fall. Too little amniotic fluid (the cushion that surrounds your baby in its womb) may also contribute to its formation causing problems during gestation.