Obstetrics

What Is Obstetrics?

Obstetrics is the area of medicine dedicated to caring for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. While obstetrics and gynecology are closely connected, obstetric care focuses specifically on the health of you and your developing baby throughout pregnancy and delivery.

Your obstetrician at North Atlanta Ob/Gyn will follow your pregnancy from your first prenatal visits through delivery and postpartum recovery. Regular prenatal care allows your physician to monitor your health, follow your baby's growth and development, answer questions, and identify potential concerns as early as possible.

Your OB/GYN can also help you prepare for labor and delivery, discuss your preferences and birth plan, and explain what to expect as your pregnancy progresses. Every pregnancy is different, so your care will be tailored to your medical history, pregnancy, and individual needs.

What Does Prenatal Care Include?

Prenatal care gives you and your obstetrician the opportunity to follow your health and your baby's development throughout pregnancy. Your appointments will change as your pregnancy progresses and may include physical examinations, laboratory testing, ultrasounds, recommended screenings, and conversations about nutrition, exercise, medications, symptoms, and preparing for delivery.

Your obstetrician will also monitor for pregnancy-related conditions such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and concerns about fetal growth or development.

Regular prenatal visits are also an important opportunity to ask questions. From understanding which symptoms are normal to discussing genetic screening, medications, exercise, travel, or your birth plan, your North Atlanta Ob/Gyn provider is here to help you feel informed and supported throughout your pregnancy.

What Is Considered a High-Risk Pregnancy?

A pregnancy may be considered high risk when a maternal health condition, fetal condition, pregnancy complication, or other circumstance requires additional monitoring or specialized care.

Being told that your pregnancy is high risk does not necessarily mean that you or your baby will experience complications. It often means that your obstetrician will monitor your pregnancy more closely and may recommend additional testing, imaging, or specialist care when appropriate.

The North Atlanta Ob/Gyn team provides high-risk obstetric care for many pregnancy-related conditions and circumstances, including:

Pregnancy With Twins or Multiples

Pregnancy with twins, triplets, or other multiples often requires additional prenatal monitoring. Multiple pregnancies can carry a higher risk of complications such as preterm delivery, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and fetal growth concerns.

Your obstetrician will monitor your health and your babies' growth and development throughout pregnancy and recommend additional testing or care when needed.

High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

High blood pressure can be present before pregnancy or develop during pregnancy. Gestational hypertension typically develops after 20 weeks and requires careful monitoring because high blood pressure during pregnancy can sometimes progress or be associated with complications such as preeclampsia.

Your obstetrician will monitor your blood pressure throughout pregnancy and may recommend additional laboratory testing, fetal monitoring, medication, or other treatment depending on your individual circumstances.

Diabetes and Gestational Diabetes

Some women enter pregnancy with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, while others develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Managing blood sugar is important for both maternal and fetal health.

If you develop gestational diabetes, your care team will help you understand how to manage your blood sugar through nutrition, activity, monitoring, and medication when necessary. Your obstetrician may also recommend additional monitoring of your baby's growth and well-being.

Thyroid Disorders During Pregnancy

Thyroid hormones play an important role in maternal health and fetal development. If you have an existing thyroid condition or develop a thyroid-related concern during pregnancy, your obstetrician can monitor your thyroid levels and coordinate treatment as needed.

Proper management of thyroid disorders during pregnancy can help reduce the risk of complications and support a healthy pregnancy.

What Obstetrics Services Does North Atlanta Ob/Gyn Provide?

North Atlanta Ob/Gyn provides comprehensive obstetric care throughout pregnancy, from early prenatal visits and routine screening to labor and delivery.

Depending on your pregnancy and individual needs, obstetric services may include:

• Routine prenatal visits and pregnancy monitoring
• Ultrasound imaging to evaluate fetal dating, anatomy, growth, and well-being
• Prenatal genetic screening and testing
• Screening for gestational diabetes and other pregnancy-related conditions
• Non-stress testing and additional fetal monitoring when indicated
• Rh immune globulin (RhoGAM) for Rh-negative patients when appropriate
• Cervical cerclage when medically indicated
• Labor and delivery care
• Vaginal delivery
• Cesarean section (C-section)
• Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) for appropriate candidates
• Postpartum care and recovery

Your obstetrician will explain recommended testing and procedures throughout your pregnancy so you understand what is being done, why it is recommended, and what you can expect.

Can I Have a VBAC After a C-Section?

For some women who have previously delivered by cesarean section, vaginal birth after cesarean, commonly called VBAC, may be an option.

Whether you are a candidate for VBAC depends on several factors, including the reason for your previous C-section, the type of uterine incision, your medical and pregnancy history, and the circumstances of your current pregnancy.

If you are interested in VBAC, talk with your North Atlanta Ob/Gyn obstetrician early in your pregnancy. Your physician can review your history, discuss the potential benefits and risks, and help determine the safest delivery options for you and your baby.

When Should I Schedule My First Prenatal Appointment?

If you have recently had a positive pregnancy test, contact North Atlanta Ob/Gyn to schedule your first prenatal appointment. Our team can help you determine when you should be seen based on how far along you are, your medical history, current symptoms, and any previous pregnancy complications.

You should contact your OB/GYN promptly if you experience concerning symptoms during early pregnancy, including significant bleeding, severe or persistent abdominal or pelvic pain, fainting, or other symptoms that concern you.

Trusted Obstetricians in Atlanta, Alpharetta & Marietta

Choosing an obstetrician means choosing someone who will be part of one of the most important experiences of your life. You deserve a physician who listens to your concerns, answers your questions, respects your preferences, and provides experienced medical care for both routine and high-risk pregnancies.

At North Atlanta Ob/Gyn, our board-certified obstetricians provide personalized prenatal, pregnancy, and delivery care for women throughout Atlanta, Alpharetta, Marietta, Sandy Springs, East Cobb, Avalon, and surrounding North Atlanta communities.

From your first prenatal visit through delivery and postpartum care, our team is here to help you feel informed, prepared, and well cared for throughout your pregnancy.

Schedule your first obstetrics or prenatal care appointment with North Atlanta Ob/Gyn by calling our office or requesting an appointment online today.