Obstetrics is the branch of medicine focused on the care of pregnancy, childbirth, and the 40-day period following delivery, known as the postpartum period.
An obstetrician has several roles, including comprehensively preparing a woman for motherhood and identifying situations that could be considered high-risk.
Proper monitoring by an obstetrician-gynecologist is extremely important, as continuous monitoring of a pregnant woman’s health can help prevent most complications and, when needed, manage any issues that arise.
What Other Services Does an Obstetrics Specialist Offer?Some of the other services an obstetrician provides include:
C-Sections and Vaginal DeliveryC-section and vaginal delivery are two different processes for delivering a baby, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
A C-section allows the mother to avoid feeling any pain during delivery and is considered a short procedure with a lower risk of complications. Vaginal delivery, on the other hand, typically involves a much faster recovery, with less pain and less blood loss.
Newborn ScreeningsDiagnostic screenings help assess the baby’s health at birth and in the months that follow. An obstetrician can perform three types of screenings:
- Hearing screening. Assesses the baby’s auditory system using a small device and is recommended within the first three months of life.
- Cardiac screening. Identifies any heart abnormalities the baby may have at birth, performed within the first 48 hours of life.
- Metabolic screening. Using a blood sample taken from the baby’s heel, this test can detect conditions such as congenital hypothyroidism or galactosemia.
CircumcisionIf parents wish to have their baby circumcised, the obstetrician is qualified to perform the procedure, which is done before the baby’s first discharge from the hospital. This procedure is entirely up to the parents’ decision.
At ABC Medical Center’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
