Obstetrics

At Southern OBGYN, our doctors are all OB/GYNs, meaning that they have been educated, trained and certified in the fields of both gynecology and obstetrics. Obstetricians (OB) are surgeons who specialize in pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care. They take you through your pregnancy from start to finish, and also offer follow-up care once you’ve given birth. OBs are trained in all aspects of pregnancy, from pre-pregnancy through delivery, as well as genetics, genetic counseling and potential health problems after childbirth.

What Do Obstetricians Treat?

If you are pregnant or thinking about starting a family, finding the right obstetrician for your prenatal care is the first step. They can help you plan your pregnancy and delivery, including offering advice and discussing options for your birth plan. Complications or the need for a cesarean section are unexpected events that obstetricians are trained to handle, so finding an OB you trust is essential, no matter what your birth plan may be. Some of the things an obstetrician will do during the course of your pregnancy include:

• Monitoring both your health and that of your baby, through regular ultrasounds, tests and measurements
• Screen for health conditions that could have an adverse effect on your health or cause problems during your pregnancy, including gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, genetic disorders or infection
• Answer questions and assist you with common pregnancy complaints like morning sickness, heartburn and back pain
• Educate you about the labor and delivery process and prepare you for the birth of your baby
• Offer advice about diet and exercise, medications and other lifestyle changes during pregnancy

Once you’ve had your baby, your OB will schedule follow-up visits with you to monitor the physical healing process as well as how you are coping with motherhood and checking for signs of post-partum depression.

Besides the routine prenatal care, OBs are trained and experienced in:

• Vaginal deliveries
• C-Section deliveries
• Vacuum deliveries
• Labor induction
• Dilation and curettage
• Any other pregnancy-related surgery necessary

High-Risk Pregnancies

The physicians at Southern OBGYN work closely with local perinatologists to offer comprehensive care for those with high-risk pregnancies.  Women with existing health problems or who have trouble conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term may choose to see a perinatologist even before they are pregnant.  Some of the reasons that may warrant including a perinatologist in your care include:

• Are over the age of 35
• Suffer from a chronic health condition that could affect conception or pregnancy
• Have a history of miscarriages, preterm labor or C-sections
• Develop complications during pregnancy that could affect you or your baby (gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, placenta previa or abruption, umbilical cord issues, etc.)
• Are pregnant with multiple babies

An obstetrician is an invaluable resource both during and after pregnancy, and at Southern OBGYN, we provide our obstetrics patients with superior, compassionate care for the duration of their pregnancy and beyond. Call our office today at 337-235-4460 and schedule an appointment.