What Doctor Do You Go To When Pregnant

September 29, 2022

It Might Take Some Time To Find A Provider

How can I help my pregnancy go well until my first doctor appointment?

If you have something particular in mind, such as water birth, it can take some time to find a provider.

For example, we had to switch my daughters obstetrician halfway through her pregnancy because she decided on water birth, and we had no idea that hers did not deliver that way.

If you already know that you have a water birth in mind, youll need to take some extra time to find an obstetrician or mid-wife that will help you deliver.

This isnt as easy as simply calling to schedule an appointment. The sooner you start, the sooner youll find a provider.

Your Nhs Pregnancy Journey

See a midwife or GP as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. This is so they can book your pregnancy care and make sure you get all the information and support you need to have a healthy pregnancy.

Your first appointment with a midwife should happen before you’re 10 weeks pregnant.

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant and have not seen a GP or midwife, contact a GP or midwife as soon as possible. They’ll see you quickly and help you start your pregnancy care.

Do You Have A Typical Healthy Pregnancy

If the answer is yes, then you can take your pick of practitioners. However, if you have a high-risk pregnancy , you may be best served by an obstetrician with experience in unique, potentially complex prenatal care and delivery.

If your pregnancy is healthy, you may feel most comfortable with your family physician, provided that they are among the40 percent of family physiciansin Canada who offer prenatal care . In some areas, likeVancouver, there are even family practices that focus exclusively on prenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care. Alternatively, you may choose a midwife and able to devote plenty of time to your care.

Statistics vary greatly by source and province. However, according to theProvincial Health Services Authority, obstetricians attended 50.7 percent of births in British Columbia from 2015 to 2016, family physicians attended 32.1 percent, and midwives attended 15 percent. In Ontario, based on numbers from BORN,Ontarios pregnancy, birth and childhood registry, the bulk of births from 2016 to 2017 were attended by obstetricians , followed by midwives , although the Canadian Association of Midwives puts the percentage a little higher from 2016 to 2018.

Recommended Reading: Do Women Bleed During Pregnancy

What Is A Doula

A doula is a professional labor coach, who gives physical and emotional support to women during labor and delivery. They offer advice on breathing, relaxation, movement, and positioning. Doulas also give emotional support and comfort to women and their partners during labor and birth. Doulas and midwives often work together during a woman’s labor. A recent study showed that continuous doula support during labor was linked to shorter labors and much lower use of:

Cesarean delivery

Check with your health insurance company to find out if they will cover the cost of a doula. When choosing a doula, find out if she is certified by Doulas of North America or another professional group.

What Is Antenatal Care

Antenatal care is the care you receive during pregnancy. You will have antenatal appointments throughout your pregnancy. Most females who have uncomplicated pregnancies have about 8 to 10 appointments. If youve had a previous pregnancy with no complications, you may have about 7 to 10 appointments.

Antenatal appointments are important even if you are healthy and your pregnancy is going well. They allow your midwife or doctor to check your health and your babys health so they can find and manage any problems early on. These appointments are also a good opportunity for you to ask questions and talk about any concerns you have.

What Is Pregnancy Care

This is the care you have while youre pregnant to make sure you and your baby are as well as possible.

The NHS in England will offer you:

10 pregnancy appointments to check the health and development of you and your baby

screening tests to find out the chance of your baby having certain conditions, such as Downs syndrome
blood tests to check for syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B
screening for inherited blood disorders

Youll be offered more appointments if you or your baby need them.

Depending on your health and where you live, you may see:

a midwife for all your appointments

a midwife for some appointments and a GP for others

What Changes To My Body Can I Expect During My Pregnancy

Theres no getting around it your body will change a lot during your pregnancy. Youll go through lots of hormonal changes, and youll get bigger as the fetus develops. Your uterus will grows up to 18 times its normal size, and your breasts and nipples will probably get larger, too.

Its normal to gain up to 35 pounds during your pregnancy, and some people may gain more. Your sex drive can increase or decrease throughout your pregnancy. And some people notice changes in the texture and amount of their body hair.

Unfortunately, almost everyone feels uncomfortable at some point in their pregnancy. Some common issues include:

nausea or vomiting, especially in the morning

swollen and tender breasts
aches and pains in your lower back and hips
tiredness and fatigue

trouble sleeping

There are things you can do to feel more comfortable, like changing your diet, and doing certain exercises. Your doctor, nurse, or midwife will have tips for feeling better during your pregnancy.

Bring A List Of Your Meds

Some medications are not considered safe to take during pregnancy. For some medications, you might need to stop taking them before you start trying to conceive, while others might be fine to take up until you actually get pregnant. Your provider might also switch you to a different medication.

There are also medications that can interfere with fertility. This is another reason to tell your health care provider about all the medications you are takingeven if its only an over-the-counter product or supplement.

Do not stop taking any medication without discussing it with your provider. Some drugs, like antidepressants, may need to be slowly reduced over time .

Your provider might decide that the risks of stopping your medication are greater for you than those associated with continuing to take it while you are trying to conceive.

Make sure that your provider knows about any health conditions you have. There are several chronic medical conditions that can affect pregnancy, and its best that they are optimally managed before you get pregnant.

Ask your provider if there are any travel precautions, testing, and immunizations that you need before you become pregnant.

Pregnant Looking For A Doctor

Choosing a Doctor for Your Baby: A Pregnancy MUST DO!

You are here:

Below is a list of specialist Obstetrician Gynecologists associated with our hospital. All of these doctors are members of our obstetrical team. We provide care to pregnant women for prenatal care and delivery. Please note that not all doctors may be accepting new patients at any given time.

The Family Medicine Obstetrics Group is also accepting pregnant women for low risk pregnancy follow-up and delivery. We are dedicated team of family physicians with a special interest in maternal-child health.

Doctor

Also Check: Can You Take Xolair While Pregnant

Where Do You Want To Deliver

If you have a low-risk pregnancy and dream of delivering at home or in a birthing centre, choose a midwife because, in most cases, family doctors and obstetricians only practice in hospital settings. However, if you know you want to deliver in a hospital, you can choose any type of provider, including a midwife. In Ontario, between April 2017 and March 2018, 83 percent of births attended by midwives were in hospital, 14 percent took place at home and three percent were at birthing centres.

What Changes Can You Expect In Your Body And Your Emotions

You will go through some amazing changes during pregnancy. Your body, emotions, and relationships will all do some growing. These changes are common, but some may be a challenge.

Every woman feels these changes in her own way. Even the way she changes can change. In the beginning of your pregnancy, you may feel so tired that you can barely keep your head up. But at other times, you may have trouble sleeping.

Many women feel nauseated in the morning or at other times of day in the early part of pregnancy. But some women never have this problem. Your breasts will get larger and may feel tender. Throughout your pregnancy, you may get heartburn or crave certain foods, and you may have aches and pains. You also may enjoy the flutters of your baby moving and kicking.

Your emotions may move around too. Even women who are happy about their pregnancy may worry a lot about their babies. They may even feel some sadness at the coming changes in their lifestyles.

Your relationship with your partner and other children you may have also may change. Talk with your partner and with your doctor if you have concerns about how youre feeling.

Dont Miss: Can You Donate Plasma While Pregnant

Recommended Reading: What Not To Eat In Early Pregnancy

Manage Your Early Pregnancy Symptoms

The first few weeks of pregnancy can be the toughest when it comes to feeling iffy. Tiredness, sore boobs and morning sickness are all common in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Find out how to cope with them.

There are some symptoms that could be a sign that something is wrong. Be aware of these with our symptom checker and get in touch with a midwife promptly if you have them.

What Is The Best Way To Test For Hormone Levels

When Do You Go See The Doctor When Your Pregnant

Conventionally, the sex hormones are almost always tested in blood. But because this does not show true bioavailable hormone levels, salivary or urinary testing is not only more accurate, but also more convenient. For the hormones we test that are often imbalanced, saliva testing for hormonesgives us the best indication of what is available in your body. There are some hormones, however, that are better tested through blood such as thyroid hormones.

Also Check: Can Smoking Weed While Pregnant Harm The Baby

Choosing A Prenatal Care Provider

You will see your prenatal care provider many times before you have your baby. So you want to be sure that the person you choose has a good reputation, and listens to and respects you. You will want to find out if the doctor or midwife can deliver your baby in the place you want to give birth, such as a specific hospital or birthing center. Your provider also should be willing and able to give you the information and support you need to make an informed choice about whether to breastfeed or bottle-feed.

Health care providers that care for women during pregnancy include:

Ask your primary care doctor, friends, and family members for provider recommendations. When making your choice, think about:

The provider’s gender and age

Office location and hours
Whether you always will be seen by the same provider during office checkups and delivery
Who covers for the provider when she or he is not available

Where you want to deliver
How the provider handles phone consultations and after-hour calls

What Other Prenatal Checks Will I Be Offered

Measuring your babyultrasoundUltrasound scans

Dating ultrasound at 11 to 14 weeks to establish your baby’s gestational age and detect if there is more than one baby. In some areas, midwives offer a dating ultrasound only if youre unsure of the date of your last period.
Anatomic ultrasound at 18 to 22 weeks to check that your baby is developing properly, and that your placenta is positioned in a way that won’t cause problems with the birth.

Prenatal genetic screeningnotchance

A detailed ultrasound.
Amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, in which a needle is inserted into your uterus to remove either amniotic fluid or placental cells for examination. These two procedures carry a small risk of miscarriage.

Also Check: When Will My Hair Grow Back After Pregnancy

Gestational Diabetes And Anemia: Between 26 To 28 Weeks

Diet and exercise can reduce your risk of gestational diabetes. However, some women still develop gestational diabetes for reasons that doctors do not fully understand. If you develop gestational diabetes, your doctor may recommend treatments ranging from diet adjustments to insulin injections. See this helpful Mayo Clinic guide for more information.

Anemia, or a lack of healthy red blood cells, often develops during pregnancy as your blood volume increases. This deficiency can usually be remedied with iron supplements or vitamins. See this American Pregnancy Association guide for more information.

Places To Deliver Your Baby

What will the doctor do at my first prenatal appointment?

Many women have strong views about where and how they’d like to deliver their babies. In general, women can choose to deliver at a hospital, birth center, or at home. You will need to contact your health insurance provider to find out what options are available. Also, find out if the doctor or midwife you are considering can deliver your baby in the place you want to give birth.

Hospitals are a good choice for women with health problems, pregnancy complications, or those who are at risk for problems during labor and delivery. Hospitals offer the most advanced medical equipment and highly trained doctors for pregnant women and their babies. In a hospital, doctors can do a cesarean delivery if you or your baby is in danger during labor. Women can get epidurals or many other pain relief options. Also, more and more hospitals now offer on-site birth centers, which aim to offer a style of care similar to standalone birth centers.

Questions to ask when choosing a hospital:

Is it close to your home?
Is a doctor who can give pain relief, such as an epidural, at the hospital 24-hours a day?
Do you like the feel of the labor and delivery rooms?

Are private rooms available?
How many support people can you invite into the room with you?
Does it have a neonatal intensive care unit in case of serious problems with the baby?

Can the baby stay in the room with you?
Does the hospital have the staff and set-up to support successful breastfeeding?
Does it have an on-site birth center?

How Can I Find Prenatal Care

Pregnant women usually are cared for by:

obstetricians: doctors who specialize in pregnancy and childbirth

obstetricians/gynecologists : doctors who specialize in pregnancy and childbirth, as well as women’s health care
family practitioners: doctors who provide a range of services for patients of all ages instead of specializing in one area
certified nurse-midwife: an advanced practice nurse specializing in women’s health care needs, including prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care for pregnancies without problems

Any of these care providers is a good choice if you’re healthy and there’s no reason to expect problems with your pregnancy and delivery. However, nurse-midwives do need to have a doctor available for the delivery in case a C-section has to be done.

Your health care provider may refer you to a doctor with expertise in high-risk pregnancies if you:

have a chronic condition like diabetes or heart problems

have an increased risk of preterm labor
are age 35 or older
are pregnant with more than one fetus

have another complicating factor that might put you in a high-risk category

Even if your pregnancy isn’t high-risk, this may still be a good time to make a change in health care providers if you’re not comfortable with your current doctor.

What To Do After A Positive Pregnancy Test

After getting a positive pregnancy test, you need to get a doctors appointment for a wide range of tests.

If you are above 35 years, then your doctor will test whether your baby is at risk of Downs Syndrome.

Gestational diabetes is another pregnancy complication that needs a glucose tolerance test. It is also called the oral glucose tolerance test.

A karyotype of the chromosome of babys cells will identify any genetic abnormalities.

The doctor will also make sure that you dont have a tubal pregnancy. The embryo needs to attach to the wall of the uterus for deriving nutrition and protection. A tubal pregnancy is when the baby attaches inside the tubes instead.

Also Check: What Iron Supplements To Take During Pregnancy

Doctors Can Prescribe Medicine Even If You Havent Been To Your First Appointment Yet

If you have yet to go to your first appointment because its scheduled six weeks out, that doesnt mean youre out of luck if you need medical care. Doctors can still prescribe medicine.

If you have concerns, they might move your appointment up to make sure that youre okay, and then prescribe medication as needed.

For example, if your morning sickness is so severe that you havent eaten in days, your doctor can call in something for that. View in gallery

What Week Should You See The Doctor When Pregnant

The timing of your first prenatal visit varies by clinic. Theres no right or wrong time. Most often, youll be seen for your first appointment between 6-12 weeks.

How often does a pregnant woman typically see her doctor in the last month of pregnancy?

Your health care provider might ask you to schedule prenatal care appointments during your third trimester about every 2 or 4 weeks, depending on your health and pregnancy history. Starting at 36 weeks, youll need weekly checkups until you deliver.

At what point in pregnancy do you go to the doctor every two weeks?

In your third trimester, you will have a prenatal visit every 2 weeks until week 36. After that, you will see your provider every week. The visits may be quick, but they are still important.

How many checkups do you need when pregnant?

Most pregnant women can follow a schedule like this: Weeks 4 to 28 of pregnancy. Go for one checkup every 4 weeks . Weeks 28 to 36 of pregnancy.