Seeing an OB-GYN (i.e., a medical professional who is both an obstetrician and a gynaecologist) on a regular basis whilst you are pregnant is one of the best ways to ensure that you have a safe pregnancy. Read on to find out why.
They can perform tests that can help you to address health issues as and when they arise
Visiting your OB-GYN regularly during your pregnancy will give this professional the opportunity to carry out various types of medical tests, which will then allow them to promptly identify and treat any health issues that you develop. They can, for example, test your urine for the presence of protein (as this can be a symptom of a serious condition called preeclampsia). If this test confirms that you have this condition, they can then prescribe medication that can help to protect you and your baby from being harmed by it.
Additionally, your OB-GYN can arrange for you to have ultrasounds that will help to monitor the development of your child and check for visual signs of conditions such as placenta previa (where the placenta is positioned dangerously close to the cervix). Based on the results of these ultrasounds, they can then offer you advice on how to minimise the risks associated with any conditions they have diagnosed you with. For instance, if they discover that you have placenta previa, they may recommend that you remain on bed rest for the remainder of your pregnancy, and they may advise you to opt for a cesarean section.
They can tell you which of your usual activities need to be stopped or changed
Some of the things that you might be used to doing on a daily basis could potentially harm your baby. However, if you speak candidly with your OB-GYN on a regular basis, they should be able to tell if you need to stop partaking in certain activities, or if you need to change them in order to prevent them from causing damage to you and your baby.
For example, if you normally run outdoors on rough terrain, your OB-GYN might advise you to switch to a treadmill. Whilst running is generally considered a safe activity for pregnant women, doing this type of exercise outdoors on a bumpy or muddy road could increase your chances of falling over. If you fall onto your bump, you could accidentally injure your unborn baby.
Similarly, if you normally frequent the local leisure centre in order to use the sauna or steam-room, your OB-GYN may tell you to avoid doing this until after you have given birth, as being in a very hot environment whilst you are pregnant can make your body temperature so high that it negatively affects your baby's development.