I was just curious, I just found out i was pregnant and everyone is talking about this, but i dont know what is is (i know its a type of doctor) but what does it do, is it necessary??
2006-12-18 03:26:07 · 16 answers · asked by JB 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
It is an obstetrician/gynecologist. This is the type of doctor who usually provides prenatal care to the mother and baby during the pregnancy and also delivers the baby. Another option would be to use a midwife, who is not a doctor but has training in pregnancy and childbirth. Generally midwives provide a more "natural" birth experience, often in a birthing center or at home rather than in a hospital. If that's what you want, that would be a reason to choose a midwife instead of a doctor. Another option in some areas might be if you have a family doctor who also provides prenatal care and delivers babies. This is rare these days, but if you live in a rural area where there are no OB/GYNs you might find a doctor who does this.
Anyhow, you DO need to be under a doctor's or midwife's care when you are pregnant. They will check you and the baby regularly and make sure there are no problems. They'll make sure you're eating right and taking the right vitamins. Prenatal care greatly increases your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby. If you have a regular doctor, you could ask him or her for recommendations for an OB/GYN. Or if you have friends or family members who have recently had babies, you could ask them who their doctors were and whether they were happy with them.
If you have medical insurance, your insurance company should be able to give you a list of covered OB/GYNs. If you don't have medical insurance, I'm not sure what all your options are for low-cost prenatal care, but I know they are out there. You might start by calling Planned Parenthood and telling them you are pregnant and need prenatal care, but don't have insurance. They can probably refer you to the right people or organizations.
Good luck, and congratulations on your pregnancy!
2006-12-18 06:00:20 · answer #1 · answered by Deanna B 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. It is an Obstetrician. A doctor that cares specifically for pregnant women From conception until 6 weeks after birth. If you are having a normal and healthy pregnancy you could go to a midwife instead of an OB/GYN...but obviously this is your first pregnancy and you should go to an OB doctor first before you make that decision just to make sure that you are having a normal and healthy pregnancy.
Good luck and Congratulations!
2006-12-18 11:51:40 · answer #2 · answered by Sunshine 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
YES! That's your pregnancy doctor and the doc who will deliver your baby. You should set up an appointment right away. They will give you your prenatal care.
The first few months will be pretty basic checkups, every 4 to 8 weeks. As you begin the next trimester, you will go at least every month, and then in the third trimester, ever 2 weeks and then 1 week.
They will check things like the baby's heart beat (which is so cool to listen to), your blood pressure and your blood type, and be able to answer any questions you might have.
Getting good prenatal care can head off complications and protect your health and the baby's. It is absolutely vital to do this. The good news is that if everything goes smoothly, the visits will be fast and hardly any bother at all.
2006-12-18 11:32:01 · answer #3 · answered by KC 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Obstetrician/Gynecologist. The OB specializes in dealing with pregnancy,labor, and delivery of infants. The GYN deals specifically with with womens health issues related to menses, birth control, and diseases affecting the uterus,cervix,and ovaries. Generally a doctor has a combined speciality for both areas of womens health. Thus they are called OB/GYN specialists.
2006-12-18 11:36:21 · answer #4 · answered by Country girl 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes you will need a mid-wife or a doctor or even someone to catch your child as you are having it.
You will want a professional to prevent the risk of infection during delivery.
Midwives are as expensive as the obstetrician, so the choice is yours.
If you want pain killers during delivery choose the obstetrician. You won't regret it.
You want an initial consultation, but I did not go back to them until the 9th month & guess what they made me do 9 months of testing in one week. The price did not change it was still the same at the doctor's request.
2006-12-18 11:32:58 · answer #5 · answered by SYLVIA S 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
an ob/gyn is a doctor who takes care of a woman while she is pregnant and also the doctor who delivers the baby. yes you need one to get the best possible care.
2006-12-18 11:29:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Obstetrician/ Gynocologist. You can use one or go to a midwife, very few family doctors deliver in this day and age. OB'S or midwives provide prenatal care which is essential for a helathy baby.
2006-12-18 11:32:36 · answer #7 · answered by Kristen B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An ob.gyn is a obstrician/gynecologist. If your regualr GP delivers babies and your pregnancy is uncomplicated then you don't need a ob, you GP will deliver your baby. If you develop complications then you go to a ob/gyn.
2006-12-18 13:50:08 · answer #8 · answered by mommy_2_liam 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OB/GYN stands for obstetrics (deals strictly with delivering babies) and gynecology (deals with any other woman problem). When you research gynecologists, make sure that they also deal with obstetrics. When I found out I was pregnant, I told my gynecologist and the office told me flat out that they didn't deal with obstetric patients and I needed to look for another doctor. I found another doctor that deals with both and couldn't be happier. Good luck with your pregnancy.
2006-12-18 11:32:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
An OBGYN is a doctor who specializes in pregnancies and women's reproductive systems. During your pregnancy, it Is NECESSARY that you go to an OBGYN, as this doctor will monitor your baby's activity, monitor his health, tests on you will be perfomed to determine your health and the health of your baby. They will check your weight and blood pressure pretty much in every appointment. You will need to go once a month, during your entire prenancy, except in your last month when you have to go every week. And another thing you should consider is taking pre-natal vitamins. You can pick them up at a Walgreens pharmacy and their brand is just as good as the other more expensive brands. Happy pregnancy & congrats!
2006-12-18 12:05:06 · answer #10 · answered by onecrazypeach 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋