Obstetricians are medical professionals who specialise in providing care to women during pregnancy, as well as childbirth and postpartum periods. If you're going through one of these episodes now, do you need to seek out their advice?
Pregnancy
When you find out that you are pregnant, it is important to seek the services of an obstetrician. Make your first prenatal visit as early as possible. During this visit, the obstetrician will conduct several tests to determine your health and confirm the pregnancy. They will also estimate your due date and provide guidance on nutrition and exercise during pregnancy. Subsequent visits will be scheduled to monitor the pregnancy's progress and address any concerns that may arise.
Complications During Pregnancy
Some women may experience complications during their pregnancy, such as blood pressure, gestational diabetes or preterm labour. An obstetrician is trained to handle such complications and provide specialised care to ensure you and your baby stay healthy. Obstetricians are equipped to perform procedures such as cerclage to prevent preterm labour and can provide specialised care for women with high-risk pregnancies.
Childbirth
An obstetrician's role during childbirth is to ensure the safety and well-being of both mother and baby. They monitor your progress and can assist in delivering the baby safely in case of complications. Obstetricians can also perform cesarean sections if required. They can also administer pain relief interventions such as epidurals.
Postpartum Care
After childbirth, you will need to visit an obstetrician for postpartum care. The obstetrician will check your recovery progress, such as healing from any incisions. They will also check your baby's health to ensure they are growing and developing normally. They can advise on postpartum depression care and contraception options.
Other Gynecological Issues
Obstetricians can also provide care for other gynaecological concerns. These can include annual pelvic exams to screen for cervical and ovarian cancers, pap smear tests to check for cervical cancer, HPV testing and STI screening. They can diagnose and treat other gynaecological problems such as vaginal infections.
What to Remember
Visiting an obstetrician during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum is essential for ensuring the health of women and their babies. It's always wise to visit an obstetrician even when there are no complications. So, if you're pregnant or experiencing gynaecological issues, visit an obstetrician. Remember, preventative care is better than reactive care. Your obstetrician can help to ensure that your pregnancy journey and the postpartum period are as safe, healthy and comfortable as possible.
