Even though morning sickness can make you itch, pregnancy and childbirth can be truly magical experiences. All your worries about pregnancy go away when your baby is born. Now all you need to do is focus on your baby.
Obstetricians ensure that every woman has the chance to enjoy childbirth.
How can I find an obstetrician that is right for me?
If you decide to have your child in a hospital or birth center as a patient and need an obstetrician to do so, you usually don’t get to choose your own.
Some remote and rural areas might not have an obstetrician. If there aren’t any complications, some general practitioners (GPs) can still deliver babies. You may need to be transferred to an emergency room if complications occur.
You can have your obstetrician if you have private insurance with maternity coverage. Private patients can be seen by some obstetricians in a hospital. You should verify that your preferred obstetrician practices at your hospital.
To see an obstetrician, you may need to have a referral from your doctor. While some obstetricians may not require a referral, others might. However, you will need to refer to receive the Medicare rebate.
- Your first appointment
- Your first antenatal visit will be a health check.
They will likely offer you the first of many routine tests done during pregnancy. Medicare might pay for some of these tests. It is a good idea to ask about the expected costs for your care.
It is also important to ask the obstetrician how they plan to handle your antenatal care as well as the birth. You have the right not to be satisfied with their practices and approach.
Your obstetrician will also be able to help you make lifestyle changes that will benefit your baby. Keeping your baby healthy will be possible by quitting smoking and refraining from drinking alcohol.
How obstetrics support a healthy pregnancy
As you go through your pregnancy, your obstetrician will be your trusted advisor. Ask them questions, voice concerns, and talk about anything you have to say about pregnancy, health, or life in general.
Your obstetrician will take care of all aspects of your pregnancy, including regular check-ups, delivery preparation, and postnatal care. Here are some ways that your obstetrician can support your health and the health of your baby during pregnancy.
- Regular check-ups and ultrasonograms are performed to ensure everything is running smoothly.
- You and your partner will be required to undergo the necessary tests.
- Keep an eye on your baby’s progress
- Preeclampsia, fetal distress, and other pregnancy-related conditions can be managed.
- Assists you in labor, and if needed, induces labor.
- Provides postnatal care and delivery of your baby
What is the difference between an obstetrician or a gynecologist and another?
Although most people interchangeably use the term “gynecologist”, they have a technical distinction. Obstetrics can be described as a medical specialty. It is the care of women after conception, during pregnancy, and during childbirth. Postnatal care is often handled by obstetricians.
Gynecology is a medical specialty that focuses on taking care of women’s reproductive organs and bodies. Common gynecological procedures include Pap smears and breast exams.
Your gynecologist will provide most of your preventive and reproductive care throughout your life. However, your obstetrician will only be able to offer specialty care during pregnancy. Most obstetricians in New Jersey have a background in gynecology. That’s where the acronym OB/GYN comes from obstetrician/gynecologist.