Obstetrics

An obstetrician provides care during pregnancy and delivers babies. A gynecologist doesn't treat people who are pregnant or deliver babies, but specializes in the female reproductive system. It's common for healthcare providers to combine these two areas of medicine. This is called obstetrics and gynecology or Ob/Gyn.

Obstetricians provide surgical care for women during pregnancy and childbirth. They also handle postnatal care. You may see an MFM doctor if you have a chronic health condition that may affect your pregnancy. Some women choose to meet with these doctors for care before conceiving to help develop a plan for pregnancy.

Some obstetricians choose to specialize in maternal-fetal medicine (MFM). This branch of obstetrics focuses on pregnant women who have chronic health problems or abnormal issues that arise during pregnancy. Because of this, MFM doctors are considered to be high-risk experts.

What conditions do obstetricians treat?

Women usually first see obstetricians for routine prenatal care. The initial appointment typically occurs approximately eight weeks after your last menstrual period. You’ll then see the doctor approximately once a month throughout the duration of your pregnancy.

You may have a high-risk pregnancy if you’re pregnant and you: