In Part 2, we discuss the questions to ask each provider on your care team.
Whether it’s your first time giving birth, or you've been there and done that, there's nothing like bringing a new child into the world. It's also no easy task. (Of course, that's a serious understatement). Fortunately, help isn't hard to find.
There are many specialists who will work with you throughout your pregnancy, labor and delivery — and after birth — to keep both you and your baby safe, happy, and healthy. Here are the specialists who might be on your care team.
Obstetrician/Gynecologist
Gynecologists (GYNs) are physicians who specialize in women's reproductive health, and obstetricians (OBs) are physicians who care for pregnant women and their unborn babies. Most gynecologists are also obstetricians, and are called OB/GYNs.
When You Will Work with an OB/GYN
Your OB/GYN will be your point-person throughout your whole pregnancy, from your first ultrasound to follow-up care after you've given birth. He or she may refer you to other specialists and communicate with your other medical providers.
In many cases, the OB/GYN you've been following throughout your pregnancy will be the one to deliver your baby. However, since babies do not always stick to schedules, you might go into labor at a time when your OB/GYN can't get to the hospital. Don't panic —an OB/GYN is always on staff and will be there for you during delivery, so you will always be in good hands.
Perinatologists/ Maternal-Fetal Medicine Physician
Perinatologists are physicians who will work with you if you have a high risk for complications, or if you have complex medical issues, which may include obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, carrying multiple babies (e.g. twins, triplets), or if you're a teenager or over age 35.
When You Will Work with a Perinatologist
You may see a prenatal team — which includes perinatologists — during office visits throughout your pregnancy or if you have an inpatient hospital stay.
Anesthesiologist
An anesthesiologist delivers the epidural — medication that decreases sensation in the lower half of your body, reducing pain and making labor a little more comfortable. The epidural is optional.
When You Will Work with an Anesthesiologist
The anesthesiologist will administer the epidural. This is typically done when your cervix is dilated to 4 to 5 centimeters and you're in active labor — you're having contractions that are long and close together.
The anesthesiologist can also give you an epidural if you need a Cesarean section (C-section) so that you don't feel pain during the surgery, but can still be awake and alert when your child is born. They may choose to give you a spinal block (often called "a spinal") instead, where they inject pain medication directly into your spinal fluid.
Labor and Delivery Nurses
Labor and delivery nurses are often the unsung heroes in many birthing stories. They help you during the birthing process with monitoring contractions and pushing. They can also provide special care if you have other medical or obstetric issues, such as high blood pressure.
When You Will Work with Labor and Delivery Nurses
These nurses are there through labor and delivery. Typically, they perform cervical checks to see how much you're dilated and monitor your vital signs.
They are often the ones asking you about your preferences, such as whether or not you would like an epidural for pain. If you have a birth plan in place, they will do everything they can to follow it — but if something happens where following the plan could put you or the baby in danger, they're also often the ones to share why the birthing plan may need to change.
Mother-Baby Nurses
Mother-baby nurses — also called postpartum nurses — are going to feel like some of your best friends as you recover from delivery.
They focus on your physical needs, such as pain management, and give you some "Caring for Babies 101." They will also work with your partner, other children, or extended family to make sure they're prepared for the little one to come home.
Additionally, mother-baby nurses provide breastfeeding support, including teaching how to help your baby latch, finding the right position, and showing you how to pump.
When You Will Work with Mother-Baby Nurses
The labor and delivery nurses typically transfer new moms to the care of mother-baby nurses within 2 hours after giving birth. You will work with these nurses from then until it's time to go home.
Lactation Consultants
Lactation consultants are certified breastfeeding specialists. They can provide the same breastfeeding support as mother-baby nurses, as well as advice and guidance for complex breastfeeding problems.
When You Will Work with a Lactation Consultant
You will work with a lactation consultant after birth, while you are still at the hospital. However, you can still see them after you have been discharged if you're having trouble breastfeeding or need some additional support.
Make sure to ask them who you can call with questions. Many lactation consultants have warm lines, which you can call at any time for support.
*Call Chester County Hospital's warm line at 610-738-2582 if you have any questions or concerns about breastfeeding.
Case Managers and Social Workers
Having a baby is an emotional event. If you need help with emotional, psychosocial, or mental health needs, that's where case managers and social workers come in. They can provide many types of services, such as teaching you the signs of postpartum depression that you should look out for, helping you find resources like support groups, or simply being on hand to listen.
Additionally, they can help you manage other aspects of having a baby that may be causing stress. For example, if finances are stressing you out, they can point you towards financial assistance resources.
When You Will Work with Case Managers and Social Workers
You can work with case managers and social workers at any point during your pregnancy or after delivery.
Neonatologists
Neonatologists are physicians who handle high-risk situations, such as premature births, or complex cases, such as a baby being born with an illness or birth defect.
When You Will Work with a Neonatologist
This depends on when your OB/GYN determines that you or your baby are at risk or have complex needs.
They may work with you before birth if you have known risk factors for premature birth, such as carrying multiples, high blood pressure, certain infections, diabetes, being over- or underweight, or if you have a history of giving birth prematurely. Or, they might work with you if they discover that your child will be born with a condition that will need medical attention, like a heart defect.
In other cases, you might not work with a neonatologist until later on. Neonatologists will be there during high-risk births and C-sections, and will care for newborns who have special medical needs after delivery.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Nurses
If your child is born premature or with medical needs that require special care, such as difficulty breathing, they may be treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The NICU nurses have special training in treating infants with medical conditions.
NICU nurses can also educate you — and anyone else who will be caring for your baby — about the baby's medical condition, how your baby is being treated, and what you can do while your child is receiving care.
When You Will Work with NICU Nurses
If your baby goes to the NICU, you will work with them as soon as you are recovered enough after birth. However, if you know before giving birth that your baby will likely need care in the NICU, you may be able to meet the nurses ahead of time.
Pediatrician
A pediatrician is a primary care provider for babies and children. They will monitor your newborn to make sure your child is healthy and starting on the right path toward development. Ideally, you'll have a pediatrician picked out before the baby is born so that he or she can start seeing your child right from the very beginning.
When You Will Work with a Pediatrician
Your child's pediatrician will examine your newborn after birth and every day until discharged from the hospital. The pediatrician will talk to you about when to bring the baby in for well visits.
Children can stay with their pediatrician until the age of 18 (although they may want to switch to a provider specializing in adult care during their teen years). Their pediatrician is the person you can bring your child to when he or she is sick with everyday illnesses, like the flu. Also, your child should see the pediatrician every year for a physical exam and vaccinations.
Additional Medical Specialists
If you have complex medical needs, you may need to see another specialist during your pregnancy. For instance, if you have diabetes — or have gestational diabetes, which is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy — you may need to see an endocrinologist. Or, if you have a heart condition, you may work with a cardiologist.
Your obstetrician will still be your primary pregnancy care provider. The specialists are consultants who will collaborate with one another and the obstetrician to make sure that you are staying healthy and having a safe pregnancy.
If you need non-pregnancy related surgery during your pregnancy, the surgeon may act as your primary provider. However, they will still work closely with your obstetrician.
No matter the number or type of specialists you may need, your health care providers will work as a team to provide all aspects of care during your pregnancy and birth.
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