What is obstetric care?
An obstetrician provides care to women during pregnancy and after the delivery of their babies. Apart from delivering babies, your obstetrician will advise on birth control, assist with childbirth and relieve symptoms of menopause. Your OB-GYN also conducts Pap smears, screens for cervical cancer, treats infections and performs surgeries to treat pelvic or rectal prolapse.
What will my OB-GYN do?
At the time of your pregnancy, your OB-GYN will check your baby’s health through an ultrasound screening and perform routine tests. Dr Molefi will also check for high blood pressure, diabetes and genetic disorders. Apart from following a healthy diet, taking vitamin supplements and exercising is essential at this stage.
A few of the many issues your OB-GYN will do for you is assist with morning sickness and leg pain that happens at the time of pregnancy. Over 60% of women develop nausea at the start of pregnancy, and over 40% vomit. At about six weeks into pregnancy, you are most likely to start experiencing the first signs of morning sickness. Within eight weeks, nausea reaches its peak. Staying hydrated, which means drinking eight glasses of water a day and avoiding triggers such as specific scents, bright lights, and motion, keeps nausea at bay.
What will my OB-GYN recommend for morning sickness?
Consuming much smaller meals more frequently and eating bland food such as rice, toast and crackers reduce nausea. Eating bananas and including supplements that contain ginger prevents vomiting. In some cases, your doctor will recommend over-the-counter Vitamin B6 and sleep aid if the nausea is severe.
What happens at obstetric care consultations?
These consultations occur at different time intervals to monitor your baby’s health. Dr Molefi answers any questions you have about pregnancy and the birth of your baby. He explains step-by-step what to expect during labour and coordinates the delivery of your baby effectively.
Why is obstetric care so critical?
Antenatal monitoring reduces the risk of HIV transmission from mother to baby, anaemia, and micronutrient deficiencies, contributing to congenital disabilities in newborns.
