If you are pregnant, or are planning a family in the very near future, you will certainly need the services of a qualified obstetrician, as this is the professional whose job it is to ensure the pregnancy goes smoothly and that there are no issues at any stage. The different stages of pregnancy all need to be carefully monitored, starting with pre-natal examinations and screening at around 10-14 weeks, then continuing right through to the delivery and also post-natal care. If you would like to know more about the obstetrician and the role they play during pregnancy, here is a brief overview of a typical pregnancy.
The Early Stages
Prenatal care would ideally begin around 10 weeks into the pregnancy, and could be as late as 14 weeks. The initial testing would be for Down syndrome, and modern testing techniques allow for the mother’s blood sample to be analysed, with the results coming after about 10 days. At this stage, the sex can be determined if the parents wish to know in advance, and if you would like to learn more about obstetricians in Singapore, for example, there are reputable clinics where you can receive the very best of care and attention.
Foetal Anomaly Screening
This is typically carried out at 20-22 weeks of the pregnancy and this testing will provide information about the growth cycle, and a series of ultrasound scans can be carried out at regular intervals to ensure healthy development. In the event that foetal growth is slower than usual, it might be necessary to perform Doppler blood flow, and this is something your obstetrician would advise you on.
Birth Options
At around 30 weeks, the obstetrician would discuss various birthing techniques with the mother to be, and unless there is any particular reason to do otherwise, a natural vaginal birth is preferred, and this can be assisted if the need arises. Caesarean options are there, and in some cases, this is recommended, as might be a combination of a vaginal birth and caesarean section.
Pain Relief
There are no hard and fast rules regarding pain relief in childbirth, and in cases where the labour is prolonged, pain relieving drugs are the answer. Every woman has a unique pain threshold, and some can take the birth in their stride, while others are not so tolerant, but as a general rule, a woman’s first pregnancy is likely to involve long labour, and if you are at all concerned that a natural birth might be just too painful, the obstetrician would have pain relief present, should you require it. A lot depends on the individual, and we should never forget that childbirth has been around as long as we have, and while serious pain requires some relief, most women can handle the birth without using medication for pain relief.]
Post Natal Care is as important as any other stage of the pregnancy, and the new mother should begin to exercise gradually as time passes, and by stepping up the exercise routine bit by bit, she should recover her shape. If you are in need of an obstetrician, an online search would land you on the website of a nearby clinic, and you can make an initial appointment.
