4 Reasons To See an Obstetrician
An obstetrician is a healthcare professional who can guide you during prenatal care, especially if you have a high-risk pregnancy. They conduct various ultrasounds to determine the growth of the fetus. They’ll also help you prepare for the upcoming labor. Here are some reasons why you should book an appointment with an obstetrics expert:
1. Prenatal Care
An obstetrician advises you on what food to take during your prenatal period. They also do regular weight checkups and monitor your blood pressure. To determine the health of the developing fetus, the obstetrician schedules regular ultrasound imaging sessions. The results from the ultrasound imaging are complemented by genetic screening and fetal heartbeat checks.
If you have diabetes, they will offer gestational diabetes management and advice on lifestyle modifications. During prenatal care, the obstetrician tracks fetal movement and analyzes the amniotic fluid. In preparation for labor, the obstetrician comes up with pain management strategies and monitors potential infections.
2. High-risk Pregnancy
If you suspect that your pregnancy is high risk, ask an obstetrics professional to conduct blood sugar level tests and do placenta monitoring scans. They should assess the cervical length and give you advice on how to prevent blood clotting. The health professional should create specialized diet plans for you and control any signs of gestational hypertension. They also offer tips on how to prevent pre-term birth and help you to manage a twin pregnancy.
Frequent urine tests and emotional support resources help you during your high-risk pregnancy. You also receive anemia treatment options and tips on how to plan for post-birth care. To increase the chances of a healthy baby, the obstetrician suggests measures to prevent birth defects.
3. Ultrasounds
Obstetricians conduct ultrasounds to confirm the progress of a pregnancy and accurately measure fetus size. The ultrasounds help the obstetrician to know the baby’s position and check the baby’s heartbeat. Assessing amniotic fluid levels and scanning organ development allows the obstetrician to detect potential abnormalities early on.
Using the scans, you can know whether the placental placement is in the right position. If you have an ectopic pregnancy, an ultrasound can help to diagnose it. Ultrasounds are also helpful when measuring cervical length and estimated delivery dates. They help with assessing head circumference size, determining the baby’s gender, and monitoring the growth rate of the fetus.
4. Labor Planning
Discuss your birthing preferences with an obstetrician and create an emergency backup plan. The obstetrician helps you create a plan for a natural delivery and schedule induction procedures. You choose the way you will manage the pain during the labor and examine water birth methods. If you want to go for a C-section birth, the obstetrician will discuss the various scenarios and schedule induction procedures.
You also get to choose where you will give birth and assign roles to your partner during the delivery. An obstetrician teaches you breathing techniques and tells you what to include in the birth bag. Other things you may discuss include umbilical cord clamping and skin-to-skin bonding.
Work With an Obstetrics Expert
A successful pregnancy requires regular tests and counseling from an obstetrician. These professionals will help you plan for your labor and teach you how to take care of your child after birth. Contact an obstetrics provider to guide you throughout your pregnancy.
