During pregnancy, finding a doctor to care for the needs of the pregnancy as well as the needs of a newborn child is an important and sometimes daunting task. Finding the right doctor, the doctor who a sense of comfort can be felt and trust can be established, can be a lengthy process. One of the most important factors in finding a doctor during pregnancy is knowing the difference between the different types of doctors available. The first option available to newly pregnant women is the choice between an family practitioner and an OB/GYN to provide care throughout pregnancy and delivery. Both are capable of handling prenatal concerns and check-ups, but they are two very different doctors.
A family practitioner is a Primary Care Doctor in Columbus MS, who cares for all members of the family. Everyone from a newborn baby to a pregnant woman, to an aging grandparent, a family practitioner cares for them all. With a wide range of general knowledge the family practitioner can perform general medical task and is trained on when to recommend a medical specialist. Since, The Primary Care Doctor Columbus MS, can be the doctor for both the pregnant woman and the newborn child a sense of continuity may be a deciding factor. When it comes to a pregnant patient, a family practitioner can perform all check-ups and can typically see the pregnant patient through delivery as long as no complications arise. If a complication arises during the pregnancy or at the point of delivery, then a family practitioner will most likely consult with an OB/GYN. An OB/GYN is more of a specialist than the primary care doctor in Columbus MS. The focus of an OB/GYN is women’s health and more specifically a woman’s reproductive health. An OB/GYN can perform all pregnancy check-ups with any pregnancy ranging from low risk to high risk and is specifically trained on dealing with pregnancy complications and issues. Although the OB/GYN monitors the health of the growing child while within the womb, once the child is delivered, the focus is placed on the mother and her overall health post-delivery. Having a specialist oversee the pregnancy from beginning to end can also be a deciding factor for some women. In the end, both types of doctors are capable and available.
