4 OB Services Offered By Obstetricians
Obstetricians are sometimes called OB doctors. These doctors work to ensure that pregnant women get the care they need throughout their pregnancies, including during labor and delivery. OB doctors can help first-time mothers and mothers who have already had children. Every woman needs prenatal care, especially those with high-risk pregnancies. Here are some OB services that obstetricians can provide:
1. Nutritional Counseling
During pregnancy, the fetus continues to grow inside its mother's body. This is a resource-intensive process that consumes calories and nutrients, which the mother must provide. Proper nutrition is crucial during this time for the baby's growth as well as the mother's health. Pregnant women have different nutritional needs than men and even women who are not pregnant. For instance, pregnant women need plenty of folic acid and calcium in their diets. An OB doctor can provide nutritional counseling throughout pregnancy, advising expectant mothers on what to eat to keep their pregnancies progressing smoothly.
2. Gestational Diabetes Testing
Gestational diabetes is a condition that affects certain pregnant women. Gestational diabetes affects a mother's ability to produce insulin, which can lead to dangerous blood sugar spikes. Untreated gestational diabetes can cause babies to grow too large while in the womb, which can lead to risky labor. OB doctors can perform tests to check for gestational diabetes. To participate in this test, you'll be asked to drink a sugary solution on an empty stomach. Your doctor will measure your blood glucose level several minutes after you ingest the solution to see how well your body manages to compensate for the added sugar. If you are found to have gestational diabetes, your OB doctor will provide treatment so you can have a safe and healthy pregnancy.
3. Miscarriage Care
No woman wants to have a miscarriage, but sometimes they happen. Women who experience miscarriages need medical care. Fortunately, OB doctors can help women who have had miscarriages. Dilation and curettage procedures can remove any tissue that remains inside the uterine cavity after a miscarriage, which can prevent women from developing infections.
4. Labor And Delivery Services
OB doctors are there to help women throughout their pregnancies, including when it's time to have their babies. Labor and delivery services cover everything necessary for the safe delivery of newborn babies. OB doctors can provide epidural pain relief for laboring mothers. They can also coach women through active labor, provide necessary interventions, and ensure the baby is healthy when it arrives.
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