10/10/2016

LaborandDelivery:TypesofDoctors

Healthline Pregnancy Preparing for Delivery Types of Doctors for Labor and Delivery

Types of Doctors for Labor and Delivery

Written by The Healthline Editorial Team
Medically Reviewed by University of Illinois-Chicago, College of Medicine on April 22, 2016

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Part 1 of 5

How to choose a doctor for your

pregnancy
Once you nd out youre pregnant, the decision-making begins. Youll need to
choose the doctor who will oversee your pregnancy and eventually deliver
your baby. The doctor you choose will have a big role throughout your
pregnancy. Its important that you make an informed decision.
There are several types of doctors that are medically trained to deliver your
baby when the time comes. Family practitioners and obstetriciangynecologists, or OB-GYNs, are some of the most popular medically trained
doctors that can deliver your baby. You should keep certain factors in mind,
such as getting the best doctor if you are high-risk or experiencing
complications. You want to make sure that you have the most highly trained
doctor for your specic pregnancy.
Learn about the dierent types of midwives
Part 2 of 5

Family practitioners
Training
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Family practitioners are primary care doctors. They care for a broad
spectrum of medical conditions, from earaches in children to heart failure in
older adults. Family practitioners usually have three years of training beyond
medical school. They generally have a broad range of knowledge on a variety
of dierent disciplines of medicine. Although the training and certication
process for most family practitioners is very similar, some choose to
emphasize obstetrics and undergo additional training.
In rural areas, there may be no obstetric specialist nearby, or there may be
only a few to choose from. Its common for family practitioners in rural areas
to perform most deliveries. However, some family practitioners do practice
and deliver babies in major urban or university centers as well. They can take
care of you during and after your pregnancy in addition to delivering your
baby.

Specialty
Family practitioners mostly care for women with low-risk pregnancies. They
refer women with signicant problems to an OB-GYN. Most family
practitioners dont perform cesarean sections. Some family practitioners are
experienced in forceps and vacuum deliveries. Others prefer to refer women
who need these types of deliveries to specialists.
The experience of family practitioners delivering babies varies widely. You
should be sure to discuss these issues with your doctor if you are considering
a family practitioner for your obstetric care. Ask questions about your family
practitioners training and experience in obstetrics. You should also ask
about their experience in handling emergencies and performing cesarean
sections and if an OB-GYN is available for backup.
Some women prefer their family practitioner because of the continuity of
care. The experience of a doctor who knows your history and has previously
treated you can be an advantage. Potential disadvantages include less
training in obstetrics and the possible need to call in another practitioner to
help with a complication or emergency. Though your family practitioners are
medically trained to deliver babies, its only a small part of their training. You
may have to see a specialist if certain problems arise.
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Part 3 of 5

Obstetrician-gynecologist
Training
Most women in the United States choose to have their babies delivered by an
OB-GYN. OB-GYNs are doctors who have completed four years of training in
the eld of obstetrics and gynecology. These doctors are trained to provide a
wide range of women's healthcare services. They can range from normal to
complicated obstetrics. Their main focus is on pregnancy and womens
health concerns.

Specialty
Most OB-GYNs undergo rigorous training. Theyre required to be boardcertied to practice in the United States. OB-GYNs can provide specialized
care that may not be available from non-obstetric specialists. These specialist
doctors are equipped to deal with the entire range of pregnancies, from
uncomplicated, low-risk deliveries to many kinds of high-risk deliveries.
You should nd a board-certied OB-GYN to handle your pregnancy if your
doctor determines that its high-risk.
Part 4 of 5

Maternal-fetal medicine specialist

Training
Maternal-fetal medicine is a subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology.
Maternal-fetal medicine doctors are sometimes called perinatologists. In
addition to completing traditional medical school, they have completed a
four-year standard training program in obstetrics and gynecology. They also
have completed an extra two to three years of specialized training in dealing
with problem or high-risk pregnancies. In the United States, they will be
board-certied in both specialties.

Specialty
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Maternal-fetal medicine specialists oer specialized care for pregnant

women and their fetuses. They are trained to help when pregnancies are not
routine. Special cases can include:
twin or multiple births
preeclampsia
hypertension
chronic health problems
a fetus with an abnormal growth
They can start treatment even before your baby is born if they nd a
problem during your pregnancy. Because of the extensive training required,
the number of maternal-fetal medicine specialists in the United States is
limited.
Maternal-fetal medicine specialists are trained to deal with the highest risk
pregnancies. For the most part, they practice in either academic centers
aliated with medical schools or other large tertiary care facilities. They
generally partner with multiple healthcare providers to consult, co-manage,
or directly care for you and your baby before, during, and after pregnancy.
They perform specialized procedures in addition to ultrasound and
amniocentesis. They also generally provide consultation to community
obstetricians and family practitioners for pregnancies with complex issues.
These may include:
serious medical illnesses
prematurity
twin or multiple births
Women without risk factors usually dont need care by these subspecialists.
Part 5 of 5

Making the right choice

You can nd a doctor in a variety of dierent ways, but one of the best ways
is by word of mouth. Ask your friends and family members about their
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experiences when having babies. They will give you their honest opinion.
That way, you can get recommendations from people you trust. Take into
account your pregnancy when deciding the type of doctor your should
choose. Your family practitioner may do the trick if you dont have any
previous health problems and are experiencing
a normal pregnancy.
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However, you should consider seeing a specialist such as an OB-GYN or

maternal-fetal medicine specialist if you have had problematic pregnancies
Overview
Family
practitioners
OB-GYN
Maternal-fetal
medicine
specialist
before
or you are
high-risk.
OB-GYNs are
fairly common
in most areas,
while
there are few trained maternal-fetal medicine specialists.
Contact your insurance company to nd a doctor in your area. Feel free to
question them about anything concerning your health or pregnancy. Every
pregnancy is dierent. You should feel comfortable with the treatment that
you will be receiving.
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