Obstetrics Specialist in Lawrenceville, GA

The medical practices of gynecology and obstetrics often get confused; however, they are two different branches of medicine. Both practices are focused on women and their health needs, however, obstetrics is focused specifically on pregnancy and childbirth, whereas gynecology is focused on the reproductive system. An obstetrician can choose to focus solely on obstetrics, taking on patients strictly to provide them with medical care during their pregnancy, or they can choose to cover both practices as an OB-GYN. Obstetricians oversee the care of their female patients from their initial conception through the pregnancy to after the birth of their baby. They will provide all necessary prenatal care, with regular check-ins for both the expectant mother and the baby to ensure they are both healthy and meeting the necessary milestones. Obstetricians will closely monitor their patients through regular office visits, as well as reviewing results from any additional testing such as blood work and ultrasounds. They can answer any questions regarding the recommended and optional tests available to expectant mothers, helping them to understand what the test is for and how it will be performed, as well as any risks or benefits to either the mother or baby. Family doctors or primary care physicians will refer their patients to an obstetrician for their prenatal care unless the doctor is also trained and experienced as an obstetrician.

Obstetricians are focused on the care of female patients from the initial conception through to the birth of their baby, fulfilling their medical needs through all of the stages of their pregnancy. Women will be referred to an obstetrician for their prenatal care as soon as they find out she is pregnant, typically receiving a referral from their family doctor. However, women may also work with an obstetrician before becoming pregnant if they are experiencing difficulties conceiving, if they are considered to be at high risk for complications during pregnancy, or if they have chronic health problems. While obstetricians handle all aspects of an expectant mother’s prenatal care, including regular check-ins for both the mother and baby, as well as reviewing results from bloodwork and ultrasounds, they also provide care for high-risk patients. A woman can be considered to have a high-risk pregnancy if she is over 35, has a chronic health condition, is carrying multiple babies, has a history of preterm labor, miscarriage, or c-section delivery, is a smoker or drinker, or if she develops complications during the pregnancy that could affect the mother or baby. Obstetricians can also treat fetal distress, ectopic pregnancy, preeclampsia, placental abruption, uterine rupture, prolapsed cord, obstetrical hemorrhage, and sepsis. They also provide labor and delivery services to their patients, and postnatal care following the baby’s birth.

In addition to routine prenatal care and providing their patients with labor and delivery services, obstetricians are also able to perform procedures and surgeries related to prenatal care and the birth of a baby, including performing or overseeing the birth of the baby. Throughout the pregnancy, an obstetrician can perform certain tests if needed, particularly for a high-risk pregnancy. These tests include ultrasound, amniocentesis, cordocentesis, measuring the cervical length, and lab testing, including measuring fetal fibronectin and completing a biophysical profile of the baby. The procedures that an obstetrician can perform during labor and delivery include cervical cerclage, dilation and curettage, vaginal delivery, cesarian delivery, forceps, vacuum delivery, and episiotomy to aid the mother with a vaginal delivery. Following birth, obstetricians can perform circumcisions on baby boys as well, should the parents choose to have their child circumcised. At Abundant Life Healthcare, Dr. Marc Jean-Gilles, DO, FACOG, and his team can provide you with all of your prenatal and postnatal care, whether for routine care or management of a high-risk pregnancy. We will guide you through every step of your pregnancy and help you welcome your new bundle of joy into the world. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We are located at 601A Professional Drive, Suite 370 Lawrenceville, GA 30046. We serve patients from Lawrenceville GA, Suwanee GA, Snellville GA, Duluth GA, Auburn GA, Loganville GA, and surrounding areas.