Understanding Prenatal Care
About Me
Understanding Prenatal Care

After I found out that I was pregnant, I decided to focus on finding an excellent prenatal care. I started looking for an OBGYN who could help me with the kind of care that I needed, but it was overwhelming at first. I was nervous that I would choose the wrong provider and that it would complicate my pregnancy, but I was able to find a great doctor who could help me along the way. He walked me through prenatal care requirements, and it was really fantastic to see the difference that it made in my life. This blog is here to help other people to understand prenatal care.

Understanding Prenatal Care

What Types Of Obstetric Care Can OB-GYN Doctors Provide?

Regina Cooper

OB-GYN doctors help pregnant women get the care they need throughout their pregnancies. The type of obstetric care you need will depend on your stage of pregnancy, your overall health, and several other factors. However, knowing roughly what to expect can help you set your mind at ease, so you can seek the care you need for a healthy pregnancy. Here are some types of care that an OB-GYN doctor can provide at every stage of your pregnancy:

1. Blood Tests

Blood tests are an accurate way to get more information about your overall health. A blood test can tell your OB-GYN doctor if you're missing any vital nutrients. Nutrient deficiencies can be especially serious during pregnancy because some deficiencies can lead to birth defects. Your doctor will test your blood periodically beginning in your first trimester to ensure that you and your baby both stay healthy. 

2. Glucose Loading Test

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body doesn't produce enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels within safe parameters. Some women develop gestational diabetes during their pregnancies, which can negatively impact them and their unborn children unless it is properly managed. A glucose loading test allows doctors to test women for gestational diabetes. If gestational diabetes is diagnosed, doctors can help women manage their blood sugar levels throughout their pregnancies through the use of insulin and diet management. 

3. Fetal Assessment

Fetal assessment procedures allow OB-GYN doctors to check on the state of women's unborn children. Ultrasound devices are commonly used to view fetuses while they're still in the womb. People with high-risk pregnancies, such as women over the age of 35, may want to take advantage of more intensive fetal assessment procedures. For example, amniocentesis is a procedure that allows an obstetrician to take a sample of your amniotic fluid. This fluid can then be tested for certain markers of birth defects and diseases. Fetal assessment can help your doctor make the best decisions for your health and the health of your baby.

4. Labor And Delivery Services

At the end of your pregnancy, it's time for you to deliver your child. An OB-GYN doctor will help you during this part of the reproductive process, as well. OB-GYN doctors can perform C-sections and also assist women through natural labor. Having your baby under the care of an obstetrician means that you'll have fast access to medical care in the event of an emergency.


Share