Obstetrician

What is an obstetrician?

An obstetrician (OB) is a doctor who cares for you from before pregnancy to after childbirth. This includes the following stages:

• Preconception
• Pregnancy
• Labor and delivery
• Postpartum

Some obstetricians are also gynecologists (Ob/Gyns). Gynecologists specialize in the female reproductive system.

Choosing your pregnancy care provider is a big decision. An obstetrician is one of your options. They screen for, diagnose and treat conditions related to pregnancy to ensure both you and the fetus are healthy.

What do obstetricians do?

An obstetrician provides routine prenatal care to women who are pregnant. They also diagnose and treat complications during pregnancy. Obstetricians deliver your baby and monitor you after childbirth.

Your obstetrician is responsible for:

• Prenatal screenings, exams and lab tests
• Providing information to help you manage pregnancy
• Evaluating the fetus’s size, growth and position during pregnancy
• Detecting congenital differences or potential complications
• Using ultrasound, blood tests, urinalysis, and other tools to monitor your pregnancy
• Treating health conditions that can affect your pregnancy
• Managing labor and delivery, including labor induction and emergencies
• Providing postpartum care for up to six weeks after childbirth

When should I see an obstetrician?

You should see your obstetrician:

• When you find out you’re pregnant
• Throughout your pregnancy for routine appointments
• If you develop complications during pregnancy
• After you give birth (usually six weeks after)
• If you develop complications after giving birth

Reach out to an obstetrician as soon as you know you’re pregnant. In most cases, you’ll see an obstetrician or another pregnancy care provider for the first time around seven or eight weeks after your last menstrual period.

The prenatal appointment schedule is then usually monthly, biweekly and weekly as you near your due date. You may have more appointments if you have a high-risk pregnancy.

If you give birth in a hospital, an obstetrician will deliver your baby — either vaginally or via C-section. After birth, the obstetrician monitors your bleeding and bowel and bladder function. They check for signs of blood clots or other postpartum conditions. They’ll allow you to go home between one and four days later if your recovery is going well.

Most practices schedule a postpartum visit with your obstetrician about six weeks after you’ve given birth. This is to check for any complications from healing. They’ll also ask about your mental health.

What do they specialize in?

Obstetricians can become board-certified to specialize in certain aspects of obstetrics, like:

• Reproductive endocrinology and infertility
• Maternal-fetal medicine (perinatologists)

Do you need a referral?

In the U.S., most healthcare insurance plans don’t require a referral to see an obstetrician. Check with your plan to see if this is the case.

What conditions do obstetricians treat?

Obstetricians monitor your general wellness during pregnancy. But they also check for complications or conditions that can affect pregnancy. Some of the conditions they help manage include:

• Congenital genetic disorders
• Ectopic pregnancies or miscarriages
• Gestational diabetes
• High blood pressure or preeclampsia
• Infections
• Issues with the placenta, like placental abruption
• Morning sickness
• Pregnancy discomforts

Some obstetricians have additional experience managing higher-risk pregnancies. A high-risk pregnancy has a greater chance of complications. If the pregnancy is beyond your obstetrician’s comfort level, they may refer you to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist (perinatologist).

What procedures do obstetricians perform?

Obstetricians can do procedures related to pregnancy, labor and delivery. Some examples include:

• Amniocentesis
• Cervical cerclage
• Cervical check to assess dilation and effacement
• Cesarean (C-section) and vaginal delivery
• Dilation and curettage (D&C)
• Episiotomy
• External cephalic version (ECV)
• Membrane sweep
• Using forceps or a vacuum to assist with the birth

How do I choose an obstetrician?

Choosing an obstetrician that you feel comfortable with can make your pregnancy and birthing experience more empowering. If possible, find an obstetrician or Ob/Gyn before getting pregnant. Ask your friends and family who they recommend or go online to read reviews. Your primary care physician or other providers can also recommend obstetricians.

Think about what’s important to you during pregnancy and childbirth. Making a checklist may help. Some questions you may want to ask yourself are:

• Do I feel comfortable with this provider? Does my partner?
• Does this provider explain things clearly and answer my questions?
• What are this provider’s views on my birth plan?
• What is communication like with this provider outside of appointments?
• Who covers my care if my preferred provider isn’t available?

Some obstetricians or Ob/Gyns are in a group practice. Group practices often want you to see as many providers as possible for your prenatal care. This is because the obstetrician who is on-call the day you go into labor will deliver your baby. In the case of a scheduled C-section, you may have a greater chance of selecting your obstetrician.

It’s natural to prefer one provider over another. Remember that all obstetricians are trained and experienced in pregnancy and childbirth.