What is obstetrics?
Obstetrics is the area of medicine that centers on pregnancy and childbirth, covering:
- Pre-pregnancy planning
- Genetics and genetic counseling
- Labor and delivery
- Health problems following childbirth
If you believe you're pregnant, make an appointment to see Dr. Oloufa at West Orange Women’s Care to confirm the pregnancy and get started on your obstetrics treatment.
How does my obstetrics journey progress?
Pregnancy consists of three trimesters:
First trimester
The first trimester is from conception to the 13th week of pregnancy. You might experience:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Morning sickness
- Dizziness
- Increased urination
Also, your breasts might be sore, and you might be feeling moody.
You could have one, all, or none of these symptoms, as every woman has a unique experience of pregnancy.
Your first appointment takes place during the first trimester. It includes a physical examination, Pap smear if needed, blood tests, and an ultrasound exam to check your baby is healthy. Dr. Oloufa has state-of-the-art GE Healthcare 3D and 4D ultrasound facilities onsite and performs in-house obstetrical labs for your convenience.
Second trimester
The second trimester is from weeks 14 – 27. You might:
- Be feeling clumsy and forgetful
- Have food cravings or aversions
- Have difficulty sleeping
General aches and pains, heartburn, and mood swings are also common, and you start to notice an increase in the size of your abdomen and breasts.
As your baby gets bigger, you start to feel them move regularly, which can be a magical experience. Many women also find their energy levels increase compared to the fatigue of the first trimester. This is a good time to enroll in a childbirth class.
Third trimester
The third trimester is weeks 28 – 40. This is when you start preparing for labor and birth. You might start having Braxton Hicks contractions (practice contractions). During the third trimester, Dr. Oloufa might recommend keeping a daily record of your baby's movements.
List of Medications
What obstetrics procedures do I need during pregnancy?
Throughout pregnancy, you see Dr. Oloufa regularly for scans, tests for infections and other issues that could arise, and blood sugar measurements. There's also a range of screening tests available if you wish to have them for conditions like Down syndrome and genetic abnormalities.
If there's any indication that your baby is at high risk or there could be something wrong, Dr. Oloufa can carry out specialist tests like the nonstress test (NST), which evaluates your baby's heart function.
Learn More
What does an obstetrician do during labor and delivery?
Dr. Oloufa attends most deliveries herself to ensure you receive expert, individualized care. She monitors your progress and intervenes when necessary to address any problems without delay.
Dr. Oloufa comanages high-risk pregnancies and the deliveries with West Orange Women's Care's maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) partners. The MFM team has specialized training and experience in managing higher-risk pregnancies, which yours might be if you have underlying health problems or other risk factors.
To benefit from Dr. Oloufa's experience and expertise in obstetrics, call West Orange Women's Care today or book an appointment online.
