What is an Obstetrician?

Overview

The term “OB-GYN” refers to the practice of both obstetrics and gynecology or to the doctor who practices both medical fields. Some doctors choose to practice only one of these fields. Gynecologists, for example, only practice Best Gynecologist In Lahore, which focuses on the reproductive health of women.

Midwives practice only obstetrics, or the field of medicine related to pregnancy and childbirth. Here is a closer look at what these specialists do and when you should see one.

What is an Obstetrician?

Midwives provide surgical care for women during pregnancy and delivery. They also treat postnatal care.

Some midwives choose to specialize in maternal-fetal medicine (MFM). This branch of obstetrics focuses on pregnant women with chronic health problems or abnormal problems that occur during pregnancy. That is why MFM doctors are considered to be high-risk experts.

You can see an MFM doctor if you have chronic health problems that can affect your pregnancy. Some women choose to meet these doctors for care before conceiving to develop a plan for pregnancy.

Education and training requirements

To become an obstetrician, you must first follow certain pre-medical courses and obtain a Bachelor’s degree. You must then take and pass the Medical College Admissions Test to be eligible for medical training.

After completing four years of medical training, you must complete a residency program to gain further experience. Residents spend many hours at an office or in the hospital to respond to emergencies, births, and other related procedures.

If you choose to specialize in MFM, you have to train for another two or three years.

Once your education is complete, you must take a certification exam to be certified through the Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

What conditions do midwives treat?

Women usually first see midwives for routine prenatal care. The first appointment is usually about eight weeks after your last menstrual period. You will see the doctor about once a month during the duration of your pregnancy.

Midwives treat women with a risky pregnancy both during and after pregnancy:

You can have a risky pregnancy if you are pregnant and you:

• have a chronic health condition
• are older than 35
• carry multiple babies
• have a history of miscarriage, premature birth or caesarean section
• participate in certain lifestyle choices, such as smoking and drinking
• develop certain complications during pregnancy that affect you or your baby

Midwives also treat:

• Ectopic Pregnancy
• fetal distress
• pre-eclampsia, which is characterized by high blood pressure
• placental abruption, or when the placenta is released from the uterus
• shoulder dystocia, or when a baby’s shoulders get stuck during delivery
• uterine fracture
• sagging cord, or when the umbilical cord gets trapped during delivery
• midwifery bleeding
• sepsis, a life-threatening infection

Which procedures do midwives perform?

The procedures and operations that midwives perform may also differ from those performed by gynecologists. Apart from routine appointments and labor and delivery services, midwives also perform the following:

• cervical cerclage
• widening and curettage
• cesarean section
• vaginal delivery
• episiotomy, or a cut in the opening of the vagina to help with vaginal delivery
• circumcision
• forceps and vacuum deliveries

If you have a risky pregnancy, your midwife can offer you certain tests. This includes:

• an ultrasound
• amniotic fluid puncture to determine the gender of your baby and to identify certain genetic defects
• cordocentesis or cord blood collection, to evaluate for certain infections, congenital disorders or blood disorders
• cervical length measurement to assess your risk of early birth
• laboratory tests for different conditions
• laboratory tests to measure fetal fibronectin, which helps them determine the risk of early delivery
• a biophysical profile that can help them assess your baby’s well-being through both heart rate monitoring and ultrasound

The midwife also attends deliveries, vaginal and otherwise. If you have to undergo an induction or caesarean section, midwifery will monitor the procedures. They will also perform any related operation. They can also perform a circumcision on a male baby after birth if you ask.

When should you see a midwife?

You must make an appointment to see an obstetrician if you are pregnant or think you may become pregnant. They can provide you with prenatal care and help you plan your pregnancy.

You may want to see a number of doctors before you choose one to take over your care. During your search you can ask every midwife the following:

• What tests do you need during pregnancy?
• Do you visit the birth or the doctor on call?
• How do you monitor the baby during delivery?
• What do you think about natural childbirth?
• When do you perform a caesarean section?
• What is your cesarean delivery percentage?
• Do you routinely perform episiotomies? If yes, in which situations?
• At what point in pregnancy do you start induction?
• What is your specific labor introduction policy?
• What procedures do you perform for the newborn? When do you execute them?
• What type of postpartum follow-up care do you offer?

Once you find a doctor that you like, plan your prenatal appointments early and often for the best results.

You must also see your midwife for postnatal care. This allows you to:

• chat about contraception options, such as the pill or IUD
• get more clarity about everything that happened during pregnancy or delivery.
• discuss any issues you may encounter while adjusting to motherhood or any concerns about postpartum depression
• follow-up of medical problems you encounter during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure.
• Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date

OBGY Diagnostics offers excellent medical care and facilities. We strive to provide the best services for obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, dermatology and anesthesia.