If you have recently become pregnant, you may be feeling mixed emotions. Pregnancy can be an exciting time in your life. But it's also the time when many people worry about other aspects of their pregnancy, including health problems that may arise during pregnancy. You may feel confused with all that is happening to your body at the moment, and that is OK. However, all pregnant parents-to-be must know what strategies they can use to stay healthy throughout their pregnancy.
How an obstetrician can help
An obstetrician specialises in the care of pregnant people before, during and after childbirth. Obstetricians focus on providing antenatal care for both low-risk and high-risk pregnancies, treating conditions that may arise during pregnancy and childbirth, and providing guidance for caregivers to take care of the parent and child after delivery. In addition, this type of doctor can provide people who may become pregnant with information and emotional care and physical care. This guide illustrates two kinds of care obstetricians offer.
Antenatal care
One of the critical aspects of the healthcare provided by an obstetrician is antenatal care. This type of care includes regular screening tests such as blood pressure checkups, urine analysis and ultrasound scans for early detection of any fetal defects, which almost always result in termination of pregnancy. It also includes an assessment of a person's fitness to give birth after evaluating their weight gain, the foetal growth etc. In addition, discussing diet and nutrition will be emphasised so that parents-to-be have better chances of giving birth to healthier babies.
Risk assessments
A doctor will carry out a risk assessment for older parents, people with chronic conditions or those at high risk of developing complications during their pregnancy. Mentioning the date and time of the next antenatal checkup is necessary for organising timely services. Screening tests like glucose tolerance test (GTT), random blood sugar test (RBS) and complete blood count (CBC) may also be advised by your doctor to detect gestational diabetes, anaemia or other health issues in pregnant people. The doctor may also check whether you have any vaginal infection like Group B Streptococcus. Your healthcare provider will advise preventive measures if you fall into a high-risk category.
If you want further information, you should contact a local OBGYN clinic or hospital today. An obstetrician will be happy to assess you before offering further treatment and support to help you through your pregnancy.
