People can usually get pregnant and have a baby without the assistance of an obstetrician. Why, then, does a woman regularly go to an obstetrician when she is "expecting"? There are really only a few reasons, but those reasons are very compelling.

First, an obstetrician is trained to diagnose "silent" pregnancy-related conditions that often have no warning signs or early symptoms, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. The physician can also detect if the uterus is not growing as expected, due to a small (or large) baby or an abnormality.

Second, at each visit, the physician collects additional "clues" so he or she can better estimate when the actual due date is. Most people do not know exactly when they got pregnant but the doctor needs to know. He or she can only act "intelligently", should a complication arise, if he knows where the patient is in the pregnancy, i.e., when the baby is actually due.

In one patient facing premature labor or cervical dilatation, the doctor may use all modalities to continue the pregnancy, while in another he might not. It all depends on the due date. Each visit provides additional developmental milestones to give the obstetrician more "clues" about the due date.

Of course, most deliveries are normal and don't require a physician's expertise, but you never know what will happen in that delivery room. The obstetrician or nurse midwife is like a "fireman", waiting to be called in an emergency.

The bottom line? Your obstetrical record is the single most important piece of medical documentation you can provide to a treating physician in an emergency. If you are a PersonalMD.com member, enter it into your online health file. If you are not, think about joining! Should a problem arise, your record will be available anywhere at any time, so your doctor can best help you.

 

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