Obstetricians are specialists that practice medicine associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Some obstetricians specialize in maternal-fetal treatment, which focuses on women who experience chronic health problems during pregnancy. It is common for some women to see these specialists before conceiving to develop a health strategy for their pregnancy.
Prenatal care is essential because it improves the chances of a healthy and successful pregnancy. Prenatal checkups include physical exams and weight checks. Patients then are usually asked to provide a urine sample and blood tests and ultrasounds, depending on the stage of pregnancy. The doctor will then discuss the mother’s health and the fetus’s health and give medical advice.
Babies born from mothers lacking prenatal care have much higher odds of experiencing medical problems. These babies are three times more likely to have low birth weight and five times more likely to die. Women above the age of 35 are at higher risk. They must visit doctors more often.
The doctor will be able to catch any complications early on before a medical emergency presents itself. A mother should see a doctor once a month, starting at the fourth week of pregnancy. As the pregnancy progresses from weeks twenty-eight through thirty-six, the frequency of doctor visits will need to increase to twice a month. Week thirty-six until birth, the frequency will need to be weekly for doctor’s visits. Women over the age of 35 or those considered high-risk pregnancies may need doctor’s visits more often.
