Obstetrics is the study of medicine that deals with women’s reproductive tracts and the health of the mother and child during pregnancy. When you find out you’re expecting a baby or you think that you’re pregnant because of a few signs and symptoms that you experience, then you want to begin seeing an obstetrician. This is a doctor who caters to the needs of women who are pregnant. The doctor also assists women who have trouble getting pregnant and who want to find out what is wrong with their reproductive system so that they can have a baby.
Your first obstetrics appointment will usually involve taking blood, a urine test, and several questions. The doctor will talk to you about your last menstrual cycle and how late you are as well as some of the other symptoms that you have that could suggest that you’re pregnant. After all of the tests have come back and it’s confirmed that you are indeed pregnant, then you’ll usually see the obstetrician once a month or once every six weeks to check your health and the health of your baby.
Keep in mind that no two pregnancies are the same and that the information you receive will be different than what someone else receives because your body is different than that of other women. At your obstetrics appointments you’ll learn about what to expect in each trimester and what you should do during your pregnancy. Exams are performed to check your reproductive health to determine if you have any sexually transmitted diseases or if you have any other issues related to your uterus or cervix.
During your obstetrics visits, you’ll have an ultrasound or two to check the health of your baby. Sometimes, the doctor will be able to tell you the gender of your baby if possible and if you want to know. Your weight will be checked at each visit, and the doctor will listen to your baby’s heartbeat. If there are any concerns, then your doctor will address them so that you have a healthy pregnancy. One of the things that you’ll have to do is a glucose test to determine if you have gestational diabetes. If you have this condition, then your doctor will discuss ways that you can safely manage your blood sugar while you’re pregnant.
As time goes by, you’ll see the doctor every few weeks until you’re ready to deliver. Your obstetrician will then deliver your baby and provide the postpartum care that you need. Your doctor can also help with birth control options if you don’t want children in the future or for a certain length of time.
If you are interested in beginning obstetrics appointments, consider South Lake OB/GYN in Clermont, FL. Our team of professionals will work with you through every step of your pregnancy. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment!