Obstetric care is the medical specialty that focuses on pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, this aspect of care is of utmost importance because it aids in upholding the health and well-being of mothers and babies.
Prenatal care, skilled delivery help, and postpartum care can be offered by obstetricians and other healthcare professionals which will prevent many of the diseases and medical complications.
Pre-Eclampsia and Hypertensive Disorders:
Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition of pregnancy that causes high blood pressure and signs of harm to other organs including the brain, kidneys, and liver, usually after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Several pregnancy hypertensive disorders such as pre-eclampsia, may arise on both the mother and baby if untreated. Pregnancy care comprises regular blood pressure measurement, urine testing for protein detection, and close monitoring of maternal and fetal health to timely diagnose and manage pre-eclampsia and other hypertensive conditions in a pregnant woman.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM):
GDM is a type of diabetes that is a pregnancy-induced condition and can affect the mother and the infant adversely if not properly managed. Obstetric care includes screening for GDM employing glucose tolerance testing and providing support to mothers to eat healthily, exercise moderately, and monitor blood sugar levels which help to control blood glucose levels during pregnancy.
The effect of good management is the fact that the risk associated with GDM can be controlled and subsequently, the health of the mother and the fetus can be improved.
Infections and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs):
Obstetricians have to screen for various infections and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that may have an impact on the well-being of the mother and the fetus during gestation.
Routine tests performed are urinary tract infections, bacterial vaginosis, group B streptococcus, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are the sexually transmitted infections that are commonly screened for. Early discovery and tackling of infections could stop issues like preterm delivery, low birth weight, and neonatal infections.
Hemorrhage and Anemia:
Bleeding, or excessive bleeding during childbirth, is the most common element that causes maternal deaths across the globe. Obstetric care centers on determining and managing hemorrhage risk factors like abnormality of the placenta, history of c-section, and maternal coagulopathy.
Moreover, obstetricians keep a close watch on the hemoglobin level of pregnant women throughout the pregnancy and often detect and control anemia, the common problem of low red blood cell count.
Fetal Growth Restriction and Stillbirth:
Pre-natal care involves ultrasound screening and measuring the growing fetus to ensure the baby’s health. To prevent stillbirth and make the best use of all the available growth opportunities for the fetus, diagnosing fetal growth restriction early in pregnancy is crucial.
Obstetricians also educate about maternal nourishment, achieving abstinence from smoking, and management of chronic medical conditions leading to optimum fetal development and decreasing the chance of negative outcomes.
Conclusion
The maternal care provided by obstetricians and other doctors is crucial for preventing diseases and complications of mothers and babies during the term of pregnancy and delivery.
Using comprehensive prenatal care, professional delivery attendance, and postpartum care, obstetricians and healthcare professionals in general can diagnose and manage conditions like pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, infections, hemorrhage, and fetal macrosomia.
