Often doctors that specialize in the treatment of women’s reproductive health issues have the designation of OBGYN. This designation is actually two different specializations, with those being obstetrics and gynecology.
Gynecology deals with health issues of the female reproductive tract. Obstetrics is the specialized care of pregnant women, including care for both the mother and for the child. In most cases, the obstetrician will be involved in the delivery of the baby as well as for the initial care.
In most medical facilities, there will be a very rapid transition to care for the newborn by a neonatal specialist or a pediatrician depending on the needs of the child. The doctor may continue to provide medical support for the mother and also works in conjunction with the pediatricians and neonatal specialists working with the newborn, particularly in premature births or when the birthing process has been complicated.
Helping Mothers
The goals of obstetrics are to help mothers to have healthy infants. This often includes providing education to mothers about prenatal care and to help mothers-to-be to stay in top physical condition throughout the pregnancy.
This can include providing education on nutrition, diet, and exercise throughout the pregnancy. It can also be to monitor high-risk pregnancies and to assist women with a history of miscarriages in managing their pregnancy.
Typically, if there is any history of miscarriages or complicated pregnancies or a family history of high-risk pregnancies, involving an obstetrician early in the pregnancy is an important factor.
The obstetrician will also deliver the baby. In some cases, the mother may choose to have the child delivered by a midwife at home, often after discussing options, risks and possible complications with her doctor. The obstetrician in these cases will still be notified of the pending delivery and be prepared to provide hospitalization and medical expertise if needed.