Beyond Your OB
Beyond OB:
Other documents to refer to during pregnancy
These days, when you hear the word “doctor,” you probably think of an obstetrician (OB). It is a matter of course. Pregnancy and childbirth are on your mind and your obstetrician is your point of contact. But other doctors also play an important role in your health during this time.
Below are other health care professionals you may want to see during pregnancy. Communication with all doctors
Be sure to tell your doctor that you are pregnant. It can affect how often you go to appointments and which tests and treatments are recommended. Inform your doctor about other health care providers you see and about any medications or supplements you take.
Dental care and eye care
Due to frequent visits to the obstetrician, you may be tempted to neglect other types of checkups. For example, regular dental and eye exams are more important than ever. This is because pregnancy can affect your gums and eyes in unexpected ways.Be sure to consult your dentist or ophthalmologist if new problems arise between examinations.
Dentist. Changes in hormone levels during pregnancy can lead to gingivitis (red, swollen, tender gums that bleed when you brush your teeth). Some women may also develop red lumps between their teeth along the gum line. Studies have shown that pregnant women who are not treated for periodontal disease are more likely to have premature and low birth weight babies.
Proper dental care can prevent this. Your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings during the second or early third trimester of pregnancy.
An optometrist or ophthalmologist. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also cause dry eyes. Whether your optometrist is an optometrist or an optometrist, discuss how to manage this. Symptoms of dry eye include:
• Eye irritation, itching and burning sensation
• Many tears
• blurred vision
• Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
Extremely blurred vision may be a symptom of gestational diabetes or high blood pressure. If your vision becomes blurry, seek medical attention immediately.
Physician for other health conditions
If you had a chronic health condition before getting pregnant, do your best to manage it well.
Consult your doctor if you need to change your treatment regimen while pregnant and nursing. For example, your doctor may suggest:
• Change medications or diet
• Postpone non-urgent x-rays and surgeries
If new problems develop during pregnancy, you may be referred to a specialist. Diabetologist or endocrinologist. Have you ever had type 1 or type 2 diabetes or do you Gestational diabetes during pregnancy? In these cases, a diabetes care professional, either a diabetes specialist or an endocrinologist, can help keep blood sugar levels as normal as possible.
This can reduce the risk of developing long-term complications such as:
• Visibility issues
• Heart disease
• Kidney damage
It also helps reduce your baby's risk of:
• be premature;
• Being overweight or underweight
• Birth defects or other health problems
Cardiologist. Have you ever had high blood pressure (hypertension)? Or have you developed gestational hypertension since conception? If so, work with your doctor to control your blood pressure. In some cases, your doctor may refer you to a heart specialist (cardiologist).
Treating high blood pressure during pregnancy reduces the risk of developing long-term complications such as heart failure and stroke. It also helps ensure that the twins have enough oxygen and nutrients to grow healthy inside the womb.
Clinical psychologist or psychiatrist. Depression isn't just after giving birth. It can also occur during pregnancy. If you suffer from depression, you should seek treatment from a psychologist.
• Clinical psychologist
• Other psychotherapists
• Psychiatrist
Treatment for depression can help you regain the energy and motivation to take care of yourself. It also reduces the risk of preterm and low birth weight babies.
Special Pregnancy Issues Specialist
Your obstetrician will monitor your pregnancy, labour, and delivery. However, in special circumstances, obstetricians may work closely with professionals who have been trained to deal with complex pregnancies.
Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists are obstetricians who have completed additional training. Because having twins carries certain risks, your doctor may refer you to an MFM specialist to make sure you have a healthy pregnancy.
You can also consult an MFM specialist if you have any of the following conditions:
• Diabetes mellitus
• high blood pressure
• Heart disease
• kidney disease
Alternatively, you can talk to an MFM specialist if you have any pregnancy risks or problems, such as:
• Abnormal AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) test
• History of recurrent preterm birth
• Premature membrane rupture
• Abnormal ultrasound in babies
A neonatologist is a pediatrician with additional training in neonatal intensive care medicine. If your baby has health problems identified before birth, your obstetrician may consult a neonatologist about caring for your baby during pregnancy.
Other documents to refer to during pregnancy
These days, when you hear the word “doctor,” you probably think of an obstetrician (OB). It is a matter of course. Pregnancy and childbirth are on your mind and your obstetrician is your point of contact. But other doctors also play an important role in your health during this time.
Below are other health care professionals you may want to see during pregnancy. Communication with all doctors
Be sure to tell your doctor that you are pregnant. It can affect how often you go to appointments and which tests and treatments are recommended. Inform your doctor about other health care providers you see and about any medications or supplements you take.
Dental care and eye care
Due to frequent visits to the obstetrician, you may be tempted to neglect other types of checkups. For example, regular dental and eye exams are more important than ever. This is because pregnancy can affect your gums and eyes in unexpected ways.Be sure to consult your dentist or ophthalmologist if new problems arise between examinations.
Dentist. Changes in hormone levels during pregnancy can lead to gingivitis (red, swollen, tender gums that bleed when you brush your teeth). Some women may also develop red lumps between their teeth along the gum line. Studies have shown that pregnant women who are not treated for periodontal disease are more likely to have premature and low birth weight babies.
Proper dental care can prevent this. Your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings during the second or early third trimester of pregnancy.
An optometrist or ophthalmologist. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also cause dry eyes. Whether your optometrist is an optometrist or an optometrist, discuss how to manage this. Symptoms of dry eye include:
• Eye irritation, itching and burning sensation
• Many tears
• blurred vision
• Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
Extremely blurred vision may be a symptom of gestational diabetes or high blood pressure. If your vision becomes blurry, seek medical attention immediately.
Physician for other health conditions
If you had a chronic health condition before getting pregnant, do your best to manage it well.
Consult your doctor if you need to change your treatment regimen while pregnant and nursing. For example, your doctor may suggest:
• Change medications or diet
• Postpone non-urgent x-rays and surgeries
If new problems develop during pregnancy, you may be referred to a specialist. Diabetologist or endocrinologist. Have you ever had type 1 or type 2 diabetes or do you Gestational diabetes during pregnancy? In these cases, a diabetes care professional, either a diabetes specialist or an endocrinologist, can help keep blood sugar levels as normal as possible.
This can reduce the risk of developing long-term complications such as:
• Visibility issues
• Heart disease
• Kidney damage
It also helps reduce your baby's risk of:
• be premature;
• Being overweight or underweight
• Birth defects or other health problems
Cardiologist. Have you ever had high blood pressure (hypertension)? Or have you developed gestational hypertension since conception? If so, work with your doctor to control your blood pressure. In some cases, your doctor may refer you to a heart specialist (cardiologist).
Treating high blood pressure during pregnancy reduces the risk of developing long-term complications such as heart failure and stroke. It also helps ensure that the twins have enough oxygen and nutrients to grow healthy inside the womb.
Clinical psychologist or psychiatrist. Depression isn't just after giving birth. It can also occur during pregnancy. If you suffer from depression, you should seek treatment from a psychologist.
• Clinical psychologist
• Other psychotherapists
• Psychiatrist
Treatment for depression can help you regain the energy and motivation to take care of yourself. It also reduces the risk of preterm and low birth weight babies.
Special Pregnancy Issues Specialist
Your obstetrician will monitor your pregnancy, labour, and delivery. However, in special circumstances, obstetricians may work closely with professionals who have been trained to deal with complex pregnancies.
Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists are obstetricians who have completed additional training. Because having twins carries certain risks, your doctor may refer you to an MFM specialist to make sure you have a healthy pregnancy.
You can also consult an MFM specialist if you have any of the following conditions:
• Diabetes mellitus
• high blood pressure
• Heart disease
• kidney disease
Alternatively, you can talk to an MFM specialist if you have any pregnancy risks or problems, such as:
• Abnormal AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) test
• History of recurrent preterm birth
• Premature membrane rupture
• Abnormal ultrasound in babies
A neonatologist is a pediatrician with additional training in neonatal intensive care medicine. If your baby has health problems identified before birth, your obstetrician may consult a neonatologist about caring for your baby during pregnancy.
Jan 04,2023