What Does an Obstetrician Do?

Answer:
An obstetrician is a doctor who specializes in labor and delivery

of babies. Obstetricians are technically surgeons, as the specialty is a surgical sub-specialty. Therefore, obstetricians are first trained as surgeons, and then specializes in caring for pregnant women and delivering babies, whether by vaginal birth or Cesarean section. Obstetricians generally work in hospitals, ensuring that the woman giving birth has access to surgical and other medical intervention if needed during labor.

Most patients see one obstetrician throughout the course of their pregnancy for pre-natal visits. The obstetrician checks to make sure the baby and mother are healthy, and perform any tests that might be needed. When a woman begins labor, the obstetrician, along with nurses and support staff, keep her comfortable and monitor the labor and delivery process. Because babies being born do not keep to a strict schedule, obstetricians often work very long and irregular hours.


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