Obstetrics
Delivering Our Best, Every Day!
Obstetrics is the field of medicine focused on pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. At Dekalb Women's Specialists, we provide comprehensive, exceptional obstetrics care, including midwife services.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is an extraordinary time in your life when your body goes through a number of significant changes. The obstetrics providers at Dekalb Women's Specialists will ensure you receive the prenatal support, screenings, and education to guide you through this exciting journey and toward motherhood.
Pregnancy care doesn’t just involve the screenings and support you get during the nine months you’re expecting – it’s so much more.
- Before you’re pregnant. Pregnancy care includes preconception counseling to help you get your body into the best possible shape to have a baby. This is also a time to discuss fertility and possible genetic testing.
- Once you’re pregnant. After conception, your pregnancy care consists of standard prenatal visits and screenings. During this time, our team will ensure you and your baby are healthy and that the fetus is developing appropriately.
We are here to help develop and carry out your birth plan.
Prenatal care includes a wide range of services tailored to the unique circumstances of your pregnancy. Whether this is your first or fifth child, you and your baby will benefit from quality, supportive prenatal care during your pregnancy.
Prenatal care includes:
- Regular checkups
- Nutritional support
- Screening tests for mom and baby
- Treatment for common pregnancy ailments
- Support for pregnancy problems and complications
- Labor and delivery counseling and support
In general, prenatal visits are scheduled:
- Once a month for the first 28 weeks
- Once every 2 weeks for weeks 28-36
- Once a week from week 36 through delivery
Your prenatal visit schedule may vary, depending on your particular pregnancy and needs.
There are vaccines – including the COVID-19 vaccine – that are not only safe but recommended for pregnant women who need them. Ask your Dekalb Women’s Specialists provider what vaccines are right for you.
Childbirth
When you come to Dekalb Women’s Specialists for your obstetrical care, we not only help ensure the health and safety of you and your baby while you’re pregnant – we can also help prepare you for a safe and rewarding labor and delivery experience. It is our goal that you hold your newborn baby for the very first time after a comfortable, safe, and memorable labor and delivery.
Given that labor and delivery take a lot of physical effort and can last for many hours, keeping fit is a good idea. Try to get regular exercise during your pregnancy, so you can handle the physical demands of childbirth. Your OB-GYN or midwife at Dekalb Women's Specialists can give you advice on how to exercise safely.
Kegel exercises are vital to strengthening your pelvic floor muscles. A strong pelvic floor means you're able to push more effectively, which can shorten the amount of time you’re in labor. Strong pelvic floor muscles also mean those muscles can recover faster after childbirth.
When you reach the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy, childbirth education classes with your partner or support person are of great benefit. As well as preparing you for labor, these classes show you how to relax and give your support person tips on ways they can help you.
You have many decisions to make concerning labor and delivery, and most women find it helpful to create a written childbirth plan.
Before you enter your final weeks of pregnancy, discuss your childbirth plan with your OB-GYN or midwife. Your plan should contain your preferred options; for example, whether you want a natural birth or wish to have pain relief.
It may not be possible to stick to all details of the plan should anything unexpected happen, but we are here to follow your birth plan wishes to the extent possible.
There are three stages of labor and delivery.
Stage 1
In stage one, the muscles of your uterus start to tighten and then relax. This is the start of contractions, which help to dilate (open) your cervix for the baby to pass into the birth canal.
Early contractions are usually brief and might begin a few hours or days before you reach the active phase. When the contractions become regular and strong, lasting about a minute, it's time to go to the hospital or birthing center.
At this point, your pain might be moderate or become rather intense. To manage the pain, you can try:
- Using your support person
- Moving into different positions
- Using breathing exercises
- Listening to music
- Using imagery to distract you and help you relax
- Taking a shower
- Laboring in water
If the pain is too severe, your Dekalb Women's Specialists provider team may be able to provide you an epidural anesthetic that numbs your lower body.
Stage 2
At this stage, your cervix has shortened and opened completely – and your baby is born.
Stage 3
At this stage, your contractions continue in order to deliver the placenta. You will be able to hold your baby now. Your delivery team will be on hand to help with any questions you have.
Postpartum Care
After you have given birth, we continue to provide the same top-quality, comprehensive obstetrical care your received during your pregnancy and childbirth. After childbirth, your provider team at Dekalb Women’s Specialists wants to ensure that you’re healing properly, both physically and emotionally. We are here to provide guidance and answer questions about breastfeeding or caring for yourself and your child in the postpartum period.
Breastfeeding is different for every mother and child. It’s important to remember that breastfeeding is a learned skill. The obstetrical team at Dekalb Women’s Specialists are here to help you with whatever types of issues may arise in the postpartum period. This may include how to hold your baby or help them latch on, what to do if there is too much or too little breast milk, and the best ways to soothe sore nipples. In most cases, after a brief period of adjustment, breastfeeding gets easier over time.
How long your newborn breastfeeds can vary widely – anywhere from 5 minutes to nearly an hour. As your baby gets used to breastfeeding, the sessions may become more regular, such as 20-30 minutes on each breast.
Top-Quality Obstetrical Care in Decatur, Stonecrest, and Stone Mountain, Georgia
If you are trying to get pregnant or believe you already might be, contact the OB-GYN specialists at Dekalb Women's Specialists in Decatur, Stonecrest, and Stone Mountain, Georgia. Simply call our main phone at (404) 508-2000 or request your appointment to get started.
We can provide the expert obstetrical care and compassionate support you need before, during, and after the birth of your child.
