Choosing a Health Care Provider for Your Pregnancy

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Are you planning a pregnancy? The information in this article may be of help in choosing the appropriate health care provider for your pregnancy. Today there are several options available to expecting parents. The health care provider you choose can make a big difference in your experience. The nature of your pregnancy and personal preferences can decide which type of health care provider is best for you.

Four sources of health care providers are:

• Obstetrician
• Family physician
• Maternal-fetal medicine specialists
• Midwife An obstetrician-gynecologist is the traditional caregiver for pregnancy and birth. These doctors specialize in obstetrics and gynecology and are commonly referred to as OB-GYNs. They are trained to handle all phases of pregnancy. Phases of your pregnancy would be:
• Preconception planning
• Postpartum recovery
OB-GYNs specialists also can help you in the prevention and treatment of other conditions affecting women's health. OB-GYNs often work in group practices which include a health care team of nurses and other medical professionals.
A few reasons why you might choose the services of an OB-GYN are:
• You already have an established relationship with an OB-GYN
• You have a pre-existing medical condition, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or an autoimmune disorder.
• You are a woman at risk of developing complications during a pregnancy such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure (preeclampsia).
• You are carrying more than one baby.
• You want the reassurance you won't need to be transferred to a different health care provider if an unanticipated problem arises such as the need for an emergency C-section.

A Family Physician provides care for the entire family through all stages of life, including pregnancy and birth. A Family Physician receives adequate training and will have the experience to manage most pregnancies (unless of course he is straight out of Medical School, in this case, he will have at least the adequate training). They also will be able to handle minor surgical procedures for vaginal delivery. A few Family Physicians are very capable of performing C-sections, but most do not. A Family Physician may work alone in his or her practice, or they may be part of a larger group practice that includes a team of nurses and other medical care professionals.

A few reasons why you might choose the services of a Family Physician are:

• You have an established relationship with a family physician in which you are comfortable to allow him to tend to your pregnancy and aftercare.
• You and your Family Physician do not expect any problems with your pregnancy.
• You want the same doctor to care for your entire family
• You want continuity in care from prenatal appointments throughout childhood and beyond.

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists are professionals skilled in the advanced care for high-risk pregnancies. They are also called perinatologists or high-risk obstetricians. Maternal-fetal medicine specialists often work in group practices and function mainly as consultants rather than primary obstetric care providers.

A few reasons why you might choose the services of a Maternal-fetal medicine specialist are:

• You have a severe medical condition complicating your pregnancy. If you have an infectious disease, heart disease, kidney disease or cancer, you might be a candidate for consultations with Maternal-fetal medicine specialists.
• You have had pregnancy complications in the past or recurrent pregnancy losses.
• You are a known carrier of a severe genetic condition that may be passed on to your baby. • Your baby is diagnosed before birth with a serious medical condition.

A midwife is an attentive caregiver in low-risk pregnancies. They provide preconception, maternity and postpartum care for women at low risk of complications during pregnancy. Midwives are guided by the principle that pregnancy and birth are natural events. They in general offer a low-tech approach to the birth process. They cannot perform C-sections and may not be licensed to administer drugs or anesthesia should you have the need.

There are several types of midwives in the United States. They include:

• Certified nurse-midwife: These are certified nurse-midwives who are registered nurses. They have completed advanced training in obstetrics and gynecology and have graduated from an accredited nurse-midwifery program. They also are required to pass several certification exams. They are certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM).
• Certified midwives have a nursing degree and are usually trained in other areas of health care. After meeting the same standards required for certified nurse-midwives they are certified by the ACNM.
Many midwives practice their profession alone. They may also be a part of a group practice, such as a team of obstetric care providers.

A few reasons why you might choose a midwife are:

• You are in good health and do not expect any problems with your pregnancy.
• You prefer an in-depth interaction with each prenatal visit.

Before you consider a midwife be sure he or she is associated with a doctor or has a backup arrangement with a hospital in case complications arise. It is important to create an emergency plan with your midwife if you are not giving birth in a hospital. The details you should include in your emergency plan are:

• Name and number of your midwife's backup doctor
• The hospital you will be taken to
• How you will be getting to that hospital

The goal of your search for the right health care provider during and after your pregnancy is to find one you can trust to safely guide you and your baby throughout the entire process of pregnancy, labor and delivery.

Some of the questions you need to ask yourself before deciding are:

• Does the health care provider listen to "your" concerns and provide you with helpful answers to your questions that you fully understand.
• Is he or she comfortable with your views on pregnancy, childbirth and medical care?
• Can the health care provider you choose deliver your baby in the place you want to give birth?
• Who will care for you if the health care provider you choose is not available in an emergency or when your labor begins?

Source: Mayo Clinic

Disclaimer: The information in this article is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

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