It is of uttermost importance to every woman to take care of themselves before, during, and after pregnancy. There comes a time when women can not determine if something wrong is happening to the body or not. They might deal with various issues such as pregnancy, hormone disorders, childbirth, fertility, Sexually Transmitted Infections(STIs), and many more. 

Therefore, it is very important to take the help and guidance of an obstetrician for a healthy pregnancy. A woman will find it informative, comforting, and stress-free. So, if you are planning to start a family or are pregnant, it is essential to choose the best OB/GYN. Here, in this article, we are describing the top 4 reasons why.

4 Reasons To See An Obstetrician

For Pre-pregnancy Planning

Planning to have a child is a personal choice and different for every woman. Whether it is the first pregnancy or not, there would be several questions regarding it. Likewise, some might be wondering how to plan earlier and when to stop taking contraceptives.  

In addition, some women might have concerns that the medication they are taking is harmful to their health. While others may be curious regarding pregnancy weight gain and how to maintain it. The solution to all the worries is visiting the best obstetrician.

Visiting a specialist will help to improve the health before becoming pregnant which will be very beneficial to you and the baby. A doctor will discuss your contraceptive and recommend when to stop it. In addition, they will ask about the history of miscarriage, abortion, previous vaginal or c-section childbirth. 

Moreover, if a woman had a cesarean section delivery before, an obstetrician will discuss the right plan for the childbirth of the next pregnancy. They will have a conversation regarding the causes of the first cesarean which will be very helpful to maintain good health. 

Additionally, OB/GYN will examine the pre-existing health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, etc. Furthermore, they will talk about if you would be taking any medication which can be harmful to maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Moreover, a doctor will plan your lifestyle like a balanced diet, exercise, and sleep. 

Besides this, your obstetrician will ask to quit smoking, alcohol, and drugs, if you are consuming any of these. Further, they will discuss the vaccination history and do some testing. Such as determining the blood group and immunization to certain diseases like rubella and varicella. 

For Prenatal Check-Ups

Just as women realize about pregnancy, they must schedule an appointment with OB/GYN for a healthy pregnancy. For normal pregnancies, prenatal check-ups are generally scheduled as: 

• From 1st week to 28th week every month. 
• From 29th week to 36th week every two weeks. 
• Weekly from the 37th week till delivery.

The schedules might change depending on your medical health and a doctor’s choices. In addition, prenatal care is very crucial for a woman suffering from pre-existing illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure. 

A prenatal check-up is a must because it not only provides the best care but also gets ready a pregnant woman for safe delivery. An OB performs a test to examine the possible risks, treat any complications in a mother and baby, and monitor the fetus’s growth and development. 

Additionally, they will guide a woman regarding different pregnancy factors such as nutrition, weight gain, exercise, and overall health. Usual prenatal care includes the following:

• Weight measurement.
• Blood Pressure(BP) measurement.
• Examination of the uterus for the right growth of the fetus.
• Physical examination of the woman to determine issues or pains, like swelling of feet and hands.
• Urine test to check the sugar and protein levels which can imply diabetes or pre-eclampsia, a condition marked by high blood pressure, proteinuria, and swelling due to the retention of fluid.  
• Fetal heart rate measurement.
• Blood tests to check for deficiency of iron(anemia).
• Inspection for Down Syndrome is a condition in which an extra copy of chromosomes appears in either eggs or sperm cells causing developmental and intellectual uncertainties.
• Cervical screening to check for Human Papillomavirus(HIV), which can cause modifications in cervical cells leading to developing cervical cancer. 

Prepares For Labor And Delivery

If a woman is dealing with a high-risk pregnancy, the presence of an obstetrician is very crucial during labor time and delivery. They will handle any complications and involve the interventions, and attend the childbirth. 

In the second stage of labor when the cervix gets fully enlarged, obstetricians will help you out with a comfortable position. In addition, they will direct you on when to push hard or when not. 

When the head is about to come down, the doctor will guide to stop pushing and puff and blow fast and breathe through the mouth. By doing this, a baby’s head will come out slowly and smoothly, letting the skin and perineum muscles outstretch without tearing. 

Sometimes, there are chances of pulling apart the perineum muscles. To get rid of it and fasten the delivery, a doctor will inject local anesthesia and perform an episiotomy by extending the opening of vagina.

For A Postnatal Care

Choosing the best obstetrician will help with the postnatal check-ups after the delivery. After childbirth, many women go through complications especially, if it is a high-risk case. Such as breastfeeding problems, distress, or pain in the abdominal area. Visiting an OB/GYN will provide the right treatment and care and ensure you are carrying on yourself very well both physically and mentally. 

Breastfeeding is a personal choice of every woman. But sometimes, there arise many questions such as for how long should you breastfeed? Is it the best choice for you and the newborn?. Many times, you will wonder, will you ever go back to the normal routine if you start breastfeeding? etc. Seeing a doctor will help out with the right answers and cure.  

In addition, a woman can discuss contraceptives and future pregnancies. If you do not want to become pregnant immediately, discuss birth control options with your doctor. 

Conclusion

An obstetrician is a great guide in directing you before, during, and after pregnancy. They have an abundance of experience and knowledge that will help to carry your pregnancy smoothly and safely. 

So, by choosing the best obstetrician and with prenatal and postnatal care, a woman can have a safe pregnancy.