Why Is An Obstetrician Necessary?

If you are pregnant or planning to conceive, you want the best prenatal and postnatal care for yourself and your baby. While there are many birthing options available today, most pregnant women chose to entrust their well-being to a board-certified obstetrician.

Obstetricians are doctors who specialize in medical care for pregnant women, helping them through each stage of their pregnancy, including delivery and the weeks following childbirth.

Nevertheless, you may be wondering why an obstetrician – as opposed to a midwife, doula, or other healthcare provider – should play a vital part in your pregnancy.

THE ADVANTAGES OF ENTRUSTING YOUR PREGNANCY TO AN OBSTETRICIAN

A highly trained obstetrician is a specialist with advanced knowledge of pregnancy and delivery. They are especially adept at understanding the complexities of a high-risk pregnancy and, unlike a certified nurse midwife, can perform c-sections (caesareans) and other interventions, if necessary. Many obstetricians are also trained in gynecology, so they are also practitioners of women’s reproductive health.

Many factors can make your pregnancy high risk, such as your age, lifestyle, any existing health conditions, or certain health conditions specific to pregnancy. For example, if you are a teenager or over the age of 35, you are at a greater risk. If you smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs during your pregnancy, it can have an adverse effect on your baby. If you have been diagnosed with hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, HIV/AIDs, or a kidney, thyroid, or autoimmune disease, it can also make your pregnancy problematic.

In any of these cases, an obstetrician is best qualified to monitor your pregnancy and track your baby’s growth and position to prepare you for labor and the birthing process. In addition to conducting overall health checks to look for signs that may affect your pregnancy, an obstetrician can prescribe necessary vitamins and precautions, and provide a personalized health plan.

Even if yours is a normal, healthy pregnancy, an obstetrician can provide top-quality care throughout your pregnancy, during delivery, and in the postpartum recovery period. This includes recommending lifestyle changes that are beneficial for both you and your child.

OBSTETRICIAN IN WOOSTER, OHIO

At Wooster Community Hospital’s Women’s Pavilion, we have a top-notch obstetrical team that offers the personalized, expert care you’re looking for. Our board-certified obstetrician-gynecologists, certified nurse practitioners, and certified nurse midwives are highly experienced and well-equipped to provide for your every need during pregnancy and beyond. Plus, we have the personal touch and homey feel of a smaller hospital, where our providers and nursing staff offer flexibility in the labor and delivery experience to accommodate your birth plans and respect your wishes.

The Women’s Pavilion is a Level II maternity service. If complications arise before or after delivery, you and your family can be appropriately cared for. Wooster Community Hospital collaborates with Akron Children’s Hospital to offer a Special Care Nursery that can care for newborns requiring additional care, meaning families do not need to be separated for certain high-risk conditions.

We recommend that you use this birth preference worksheet to assist you as you plan for the arrival of your baby. It can help you communicate your desires with your healthcare team during the labor and birth experience. We also encourage you to go over your preferences with your healthcare providers during prenatal appointments and ask any questions you may have. You’re welcome to bring the worksheet with you to the hospital. We strive to provide each patient with individualized care and look forward to caring for your growing family on this special journey.

For more information regarding our obstetrics services or to schedule a tour of our facility, please contact the Women’s Pavilion at (330) 202-5540.