Comprehensive Details About
Obstetrics
The field of obstetrics thus deals with the wellbeing of the pregnant mother as well as the delivery and healthy outcome.
Obstetricians provide specialised medical care during pregnancy and birth. You might choose to have a private obstetrician, who you’ll see throughout your pregnancy. If you are planning to give birth in a public hospital or in a birth centre, you might see an obstetrician only if there is a medical need or complication.
An obstetrician is a doctor with specialist qualifications in delivering babies and providing medical care to women during pregnancy (antenatal care) and after the birth (postnatal care). Obstetricians have the skills to manage complex or high-risk pregnancies and births, and can perform interventions and caesareans. Many have also trained in women’s reproductive health (gynaecology).
What Happens During My First Prenatal Care Appointment?
Your first prenatal care visit is usually the longest one. You’ll talk with your doctor about your medical history, the other parent’s medical history, and your family’s’ medical history.
Your doctor will give you a complete check-up, usually with a physical exam and blood and urine tests to make sure you’re healthy. This can include:
- measuring your height, weight, blood pressure, breathing, and pulse
- a breast exam
- a pelvic exam
- a Pap test
- testing for sexually transmitted infections (like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV)
- screening for diabetes, anemia, hepatitis B, and rubella
Your doctor might also talk with you about your diet and lifestyle, and prenatal vitamins. The most important vitamin you can take is folic acid, which ideally you would start taking before you’re even pregnant. Your doctor can give you advice about any changes you can make to have the healthiest pregnancy possible.
Some types of medicine are dangerous to use during your pregnancy. Tell your doctor about every medicine, supplement, or drug you’re using, and always check with your doctor before starting any new ones.
What Will Happen During My Follow-up Prenatal Care Appointments?
During your follow-up prenatal care visits, your doctor will examine you to make sure your pregnancy is developing well, and that you and the fetus are healthy.
During prenatal care visits, your doctor may:
- update your medical history
- check your urine
- check your weight and blood pressure
- check for swelling
- feel your belly to check the position of your fetus
- measure the growth of your belly
- listen to the fetal heartbeat
- give you any genetic testing you decide to do
These prenatal checkups are a great time to talk about any questions or concerns that have come up since your last visit.
What Changes to My Body Can I Expect During My Pregnancy?
There’s no getting around it — your body will change a lot during your pregnancy. You’ll go through lots of hormonal changes, and you’ll get bigger as the fetus develops. Your uterus will grows up to 18 times its normal size, and your breasts and nipples will probably get larger, too.
It’s normal to gain up to 35 pounds during your pregnancy, and some people may gain more. Your sex drive can increase or decrease throughout your pregnancy. And some people notice changes in the texture and amount of their body hair.
Unfortunately, almost everyone feels uncomfortable at some point in their pregnancy. Some common issues include:
- nausea or vomiting, especially in the morning
- swollen and tender breasts
- heartburn
- constipation
- aches and pains in your lower back and hips
- tiredness and fatigue
- trouble sleeping
There are things you can do to feel more comfortable, like changing your diet, and doing certain exercises. Your doctor will have tips for feeling better during your pregnancy.
When Will I Have an Obstetric Ultrasound?
Your doctor can perform an ultrasound any time a concern arises about your baby’s development. Some patients have an early ultrasound to confirm they’re pregnant and to determine a due date.
The ultrasound that all expectant parents anticipate is performed in your second trimester, around 18-22 weeks. At this stage in your baby’s development, an ultrasound may reveal the gender, if your baby is in the right position.
The second-trimester ultrasound is also a routine part of your obstetric care. Your doctor uses this ultrasound to evaluate your baby’s anatomy and development.
What is a High-Risk Pregnancy?
A high-risk pregnancy is one that threatens the health or life of the mother or her fetus. It often requires specialized care from specially trained providers called perinatologist.
Some pregnancies become high risk as they progress, while some women are at increased risk for complications even before they get pregnant for a variety of reasons.
Early and regular prenatal care helps many women have healthy pregnancies and deliveries without complications.
Some of the most common causes of a high-risk pregnancy include:
- Mother aged 35 and older
- Carrying multiple babies
- Baby has birth defects
- Prior cesarean section
- Prior low-birth weight baby
- Prior early delivery
- Complications in a previous pregnancy
Mothers with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and high blood pressure are often considered to have a high-risk pregnancy.
If you have a high-risk pregnancy, you can depend on the specialists at VERITAS OBGYN to provide the extra care you need.
Our Specialists
Virginia Elizabeth Mclean, MD, FACOG
Dr. Virginia McLean, MD is an Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialist in New York, NY. Her office accepts telehealth appointments.
Dr. Mclean graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine in 2014. She works in Port Jefferson Station, NY and 8 other locations and specializes in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
English 
Spanish