Perinatology is a branch of obstetrics that deals with high-risk pregnancies, providing medical and surgical care to mothers and babies. Perinatologists perform genetic testing and other tests to ensure a smooth pregnancy and can assist during labor and delivery. They require a broad knowledge of fetal development and complications. Working with a perinatologist can increase the chances of a positive result in a high-risk pregnancy.
Perinatology is a branch of obstetrics that focuses on the critical period between just before and just after birth. The services of a perinatologist are utilized when the pregnancy is considered high risk. These specialists often work in a hospital setting, providing medical and surgical care to expecting mothers and babies, and may work side-by-side with genetic counselors, regular obstetricians, and other medical specialists who can provide supportive care.
This field is also known as maternal-fetal medicine. Before birth, a perinatologist can perform genetic testing and other tests to determine the health of the fetus and estimate the risk of complications. He or she can also provide medical treatment for a pregnancy if it is considered to be high risk, as may be the case with a multiple pregnancy or a pregnancy where the mother has a chronic illness or is of advanced age. The aim of the perinatologist is to ensure that the pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible.
These medical specialists can also provide assistance during labor and delivery. Perinatology includes conventional vaginal delivery, interventional caesarean sections, and other procedures that can be performed to make labor and delivery safer for mother and baby. After birth, a perinatologist will examine the baby and make care recommendations that may include giving drugs or performing surgery to repair birth defects.
Specialists in perinatology begin with a residency in obstetrics and gynecology, eventually restricting their focus to the perinatal period, which is generally defined as the period from five months before delivery to one month after birth. Perinatology requires a broad knowledge of fetal development and the numerous complications that can develop, in addition to obstetric and surgical skills.
When a woman has a high-risk pregnancy, she is usually referred to a perinatologist for care. This ensures that both the mother and the developing fetus get the best possible medical care, with early interventions for emerging medical issues and the expertise of a qualified physician who can address specific concerns and issues. A specialist in perinatology may also be part of the medical team involved in the treatment of infertility.
Working with a perinatologist can increase the chances of a positive result in a high-risk pregnancy, but no guarantees can be made. Pregnancy is complex, and a number of conditions and random events can impact a pregnancy, making it impossible to predict how things will turn out.
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