Obstetrics

What is an obstetrician?

Obstetricians are OB/GYN physicians that provide comprehensive prenatal care, including labor and delivery planning, surgical care during pregnancy and childbirth, and the pre and postnatal periods. Obstetricians also manage postpartum care and circumcision of the newborn.

We specialize in maternal-fetal medicine (MFM). This is a fellowship in obstetrics that focuses on pregnant women who have chronic health problems, such as diabetes, hypertension, or epilepsy, or women who experience abnormal issues during pregnancy. MFM obstetricians are high-risk pregnancy experts who have completed an additional three years of training in traditional OB/GYN residency.

Do obstetricians have special training?

Yes. Upon graduating from medical school, OB/GYN physicians who want to focus on obstetrics must complete a four-year specialized residency program that’s centered on all aspects of prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care. This special training also covers:

• Gynecology
• Gynecologic surgery
• Genetics
• Genetic counseling
• Women’s health
• Prenatal procedures
• Ultrasound
• Prenatal diagnosis.

Obstetricians who choose to specialize in MFM must complete three years of training in a high-risk pregnancy fellowship.

What services do obstetricians provide?

Obstetricians provide regular prenatal care starting with your first appointment, which usually takes place about four to eight weeks after your last menstrual period. Our team begins with a comprehensive health exam, including a pelvic exam and an ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy and help establish a due date.

We then continue to perform scheduled ultrasound screenings, as well as a variety of routine tests, to assess the health of you and your baby.

During a normal pregnancy, regular prenatal checkups typically occur every two to four weeks through the end of your second trimester, twice a month between weeks 28 and 36, and once a week until you deliver. If you’re overdue, you will come into the office twice a week.

Dr. Adelhak, nurse midwife Kristen Mallon, and our team see women who have high-risk pregnancies more frequently to monitor their care and progress through their pregnancy.

What are the advantages of choosing an MFM specialist?

Obstetricians who specialize in MFM have the expertise and experience to handle virtually any issue that may develop during pregnancy, including:

• Vaginal Breech Delivery
• Multiple Gestations (twins & triplets)
• Vaginal Twin Delivery
• VBAC and VBAC2
• Cerclage placement for Preterm Labor Management
• Level II Ultrasounds
• Amniocentesis and CVS
• Nausea and Vomiting (Hyperemesis)
• Pregnancy After 35
• External Cephalic Version
• Fetal distress
• Preeclampsia
• Placental abruption
• Shoulder dystocia
• Uterine rupture
• Prolapsed cord
• Postpartum Hemorrhage

Obstetricians are also the go-to experts for managing high-risk pregnancies or those that require special monitoring due to the possibility of medical challenges before, during, or after delivery.

If you’re over the age of 35, carrying multiple babies, have a chronic health condition, or have a history of miscarriage, preterm labor, or cesarean delivery, choosing an MFM obstetrician is the best choice you can make.