Duties and responsibilities of a high risk Obstetrician

Pregnancy can bring with a number of complications which can occur with any women planning to conceive. There are certain patients with high risk pregnancies and are most often referred to specialised obstetricians that are also known as high risk obstetricians or perinatologist. These specialists are trained beyond regular OB doctors are trained to deal with pregnancies that are considered to carry higher than average risks of complications and prematurity. The main reasons behind high risk pregnancies can be that women suffering from hypertension, heart diseases or kidney and other serious disorders may have serious implications on their pregnancies, which arises the requirement for maternal-foetal medical specialist. These specialists are trained on treating repeated pregnancy losses, preterm labor, advanced age or other serious concerns. A physician that is specialised as perinatologist is basically a doctor who has completed the studies on gynaecologist and obstetrics followed by a three year fellowship specialisation on high risk pregnancies. These doctors basically work along OB/GYN doctors and assist them in dealing with patients that are confronting with such situations in their pregnancy. However, if the case is severe and attached with serious complication, they take over the entire case to take care of the patient in a better manner.

Understanding the above mentioned facts, it is concluded that there are only six to seven percentage of pregnancies that fall under the specified category. The problem arises with women staying in remote areas and battling with high risk pregnancies. In such areas, it is quite difficult to find a high risk obstetrician that can diagnose the patient and provide with necessary treatment. However, if location and searching for experienced perinatologist is a problem, then your local OB doctor should refer you to specialists who can atleast consult on your case and confer with your physician throughout the pregnancy. Some other benefits that are attached to consulting a perinatologist are that you can ensure yourself that you are seeing a physician who is trained in the specific department and deals with such kind of pregnancies. These specialists make use of the specially designed tools and equipment and are trained to use the latest technologies and standards of care while treating their patients. Moreover, these specialists deliver babies at hospitals that are equipped to handle critically ill or seriously premature infants. They also have the NICU or Neonatal Intensive Care Units to handle premature babies in a better and effective manner.