Obstetrics

What is obstetrics?

Obstetrics is the specialty of medicine dedicated to pregnancy and childbirth. The specialty is often combined with gynecology as both disciplines specifically cater to women’s bodies.

Throughout your pregnancy, you’ll need consistent monitoring to make sure that you and your baby are healthy and that the pregnancy has a positive prognosis.

Your obstetrician works with you from the time that you become pregnant (or before if you planned it early on), through childbirth, and for aftercare once your child is born. You’ll want to stick with the same obstetrician who will get to know you, your body, and your baby very well throughout the process. An obstetrician who is familiar with your body can walk you through the best decisions for you as an individual should complications arise.

Why might I need obstetric care?

Women who are pregnant need to keep up on obstetric care, visiting an obstetrician throughout their pregnancies to keep track of their and their babies’ health. Obstetricians are also trained to treat pregnancy-related complications and conditions, including:

• Preeclampsia (characterized by high blood pressure during pregnancy)
• Issues with the placenta
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Uterine rupture
• Sepsis (infection)
• Trapped umbilical cords
• Babies who get stuck during childbirth

You may also need extra obstetric care during your pregnancy if you are at a higher-than-average risk of complications. If you have a chronic health condition, are over the age of 35, or are carrying twins or triplets, you’ll receive extra obstetric care.

What procedures are involved in obstetrics?

There are many procedures performed by obstetricians throughout pregnancy and childbirth. These include:

• Vaginal deliveries
• C-section deliveries
• Episiotomy (cutting the vagina for easier delivery)
• Circumcision on male babies
• Deliveries involving instruments (e.g. forceps, vacuums)

Throughout your pregnancy, your obstetrician performs tests on you and your baby as necessary. If your pregnancy is at a higher risk, you may need more frequent obstetrics appointments and testing.

The team at Dr. DeLeon’s Woman’s Health Care knows that obstetrics are essential to a smooth pregnancy and a healthy mother and child. If you’re planning on becoming pregnant or if you already are, call to plan your obstetric care.