Obstetrics is an area of medicine that focuses on pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and the postpartum period–the time after birth. It consists of highly skilled and knowledgeable providers able to support you through all stages of your pregnancy and birth. Read on to learn more about the benefits of using obstetrics for all your pregnancy-related needs.
If you are planning a pregnancy, using obstetrics can help to successfully manage all aspects of your pregnancy care. Obstetrics involves a range of specialist providers including obstetricians, maternal and fetal medicine specialists, midwives, and nurses to oversee your care. They can provide support and reassurance through every stage of your pregnancy and answer all your questions about prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care.
Advantages of Using Obstetrics
Help With Pregnancy Planning
If you are planning a pregnancy, your obstetrics team can help you prepare for a safe and healthy pregnancy by providing preconception counseling. Preconception counseling is recommended for a minimum of 3 months before you start trying to get pregnant. During the appointment, your obstetrician will discuss all aspects of your health to help ensure you are in the best health possible and to identify any potential risk factors prior to you getting pregnant. Tests, such as blood tests, a Pap smear, diabetic screening, and STI or HIV screening, may be recommended to assess different areas of your health and to help ensure you have a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Your obstetric team can help you prepare for pregnancy by offering guidance on how to keep healthy, such as dietary and lifestyle changes, keeping up-to-date with your vaccinations, and taking certain vitamins and supplements to benefit your pregnancy. If there are any health concerns, your obstetrician may recommend further tests or investigations before you try for a pregnancy.
ManagePregnancy-Related Conditions
Your obstetrics team will support you for the duration of your pregnancy. They will monitor your health and your baby’s development with routine appointments, tests, and scans to help identify any concerns as early as possible. They are skilled at detecting and recognizing potential issues with your pregnancy and are experienced with managing problems that can complicate pregnancy. Obstetrics can provide effective management of patients with a wide range of pregnancy-related conditions, such as:
- Gestational diabetes
- Hypertension and preeclampsia
- Miscarriage
- Abnormal placental positioning
- Postpartum depression
- Other pregnancy complications
Access to Advanced Medical Technology and Testing
Obstetrics can give you the peace of mind that you have access to the most advanced medical technology and testing procedures during your pregnancy. Your obstetrics team may recommend certain tests, screenings, and imaging techniques during your pregnancy to provide information about the health and development of your baby. These can include:
- Pregnancy and fetal ultrasound – may be used for a variety of purposes, such as to establish a due date, check the number of fetuses, examine the anatomy of the pelvis and uterus, check fetal growth and development, detect certain fetal abnormalities, or monitor other conditions or processes.
- Maternal blood screening tests – to assess fetal health or to check for specific defects and chromosomal abnormalities.
- Genetic screening – to identify any genetic abnormalities prior to birth.
- Amniocentesis – to diagnose chromosomal disorders and open neural defects.
- Fetal monitoring –to check the rate and rhythm of the fetal heartbeat.
- Glucose testing – to indicate gestational diabetes by measuring the level of sugar in the blood.
- Group B strep (GBS) culture –to assess for the GBS bacteria in the lower genital tract, which can cause serious infections in the mother and/or baby if left untreated.
The type of tests you may need will depend on factors such as family history, your test results, and other risk factors. Your obstetrician will advise you of the benefits and risks involved with each type of test or procedure.
Management of High-Risk Pregnancies
People with high-risk pregnancies may need additional care and special monitoring throughout pregnancy, such as regular blood and urine testing and additional ultrasounds. If your pregnancy is high-risk, maternal and fetal medicine specialists and another member of your obstetrics team can manage your pregnancy to help reduce the risk of complications and keep you and your baby healthy during pregnancy and beyond. Reasons your pregnancy may be considered high-risk include:
- Having multiples
- Pregnancy-related conditions, including gestational diabetes or preeclampsia
- Preexisting health conditions, such as diabetes, a blood disorder, high blood pressure, or obesity
- Being under 17 or over 35 years of age
- Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, alcohol abuse, or drug use
- A history of recurrent pregnancy loss
Specialized Care During Childbirth
Obstetricians are highly trained in delivering babies. They manage labor and delivery, including labor induction, medications, and labor pain relief. Obstetricians have specialized surgical training to deal with emergencies during delivery, such as if a cesarean birth or assisted delivery becomes necessary. Obstetricians are highly skilled providers who are able to support you through every stage of labor and childbirth.
Postpartum Care
Your obstetrics team will continue to care for you after childbirth, during the postpartum stage. They will check that no complications have developed following birth and will assess your overall health and well-being and that of your baby. If any concerns are raised, your obstetrics team will organize the appropriate care as soon as possible to help prevent complications and ensure you and your baby stay healthy.
Lactation Consulting Services
Obstetrics can often provide additional services, such as lactation consulting, which can help new or expectant mothers to navigate the ups and downs that can come with breastfeeding. Lactation consultants have specialized training and in-depth knowledge to offer breastfeeding mothers support and guidance to overcome any breastfeeding-related challenges or concerns, such as difficulties with latching or a poor or overabundant milk supply.
Personalized Comprehensive Care
Your obstetrics team will create a customized healthcare plan for you, based on your healthcare needs and concerns. They will provide ongoing routine prenatal care and monitor your general wellness and your baby’s health and development for the duration of your pregnancy. Your obstetrics team will provide support and reassurance through every stage of your pregnancy and answer all your questions about prenatal care, labor and delivery, and post-partum care. This ongoing, comprehensive care helps to ensure the health and wellness of you and your baby and gives your baby the best start in life.
Obstetrics in Syracuse
If you are looking for expert care during your pregnancy, contact University OB/GYN Associates. Our board-certified obstetricians, maternal and fetal medicine specialists, and other experienced obstetric providers can take care of you through every stage of your pregnancy.
We provide a range of obstetric services and procedures, including prenatal care, high-risk pregnancy care, management of pregnancy-related conditions, labor and delivery services, ultrasound services, and much more to help you manage all aspects of pregnancy care.
To find out more about our obstetric services or to book a consultation with a member of our team, call us today at (315) 464-5162 or schedule an appointment online. We have several locations in Syracuse to serve you.
