The team at Tidewater Physicians for Women provides comprehensive care before, during, and after your pregnancy. We’re here to protect the health of both you and your baby and answer all your questions about your changing body during pregnancy. If you live in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, or the surrounding Hampton Roads area, we are here to answer all of your pregnancy questions and aid in your journey to parenthood.
Obstetricians focus specifically on health related to pregnancy, while gynecologists focus on general reproductive health. Given that obstetricians specialize in a form of gynecology, you may find many doctors who are certified as both obstetricians & gynecologists.
While obstetricians focus on pregnancy-related issues, gynecologists provide other services like reproductive wellness checks, obtaining test results, treating urinary tract problems (urogynecology), treating STIs (sexually transmitted infections), and screening for cervical and breast cancer. Obstetricians and gynecologists tend to operate out of the same practices, which is why providers often combine the two as Ob/Gyn. Additionally, their offices tend to include family doctors and family nurse practitioners (FNP).
Obstetricians can diagnose and treat a variety of pregnancy-related conditions. The following are some of the most common they would prepare for in medical school:
Preconception counseling is a checkup that’s scheduled before you get pregnant to be sure you’re in optimal health for having a safe pregnancy and giving birth to a healthy baby. This appointment includes:
A variety of lifestyle issues and chronic health conditions have the potential to cause problems such as preterm delivery, low birth weight, and birth defects. A preconception checkup will identify these concerns and allow you to make any necessary changes before you become pregnant.
Seeing an obstetrician should be a central part of any pregnancy, so it’s best to see an obstetrician as soon as you know you are pregnant. This typically occurs about eight weeks into a pregnancy. Of course, you are always welcome to come in sooner if you learn about your pregnancy earlier or are experiencing health issues related to the pregnancy.
If you are trying to get pregnant but haven’t been able to, you should also see an obstetrician. Their expertise can help maximize your chances of getting pregnant, and they may even be able to help with infertility issues. Additionally, you should see an obstetrician if you are predisposed to a high-risk pregnancy or are suspected to be close to menopause.
A high-risk pregnancy is one that threatens the health of the mother and/or her baby. Scheduling a preconception checkup is one of the best ways to avoid a high-risk pregnancy because it allows you to treat or change the things that put you and the baby at risk. You are more likely to have a high-risk pregnancy if you:
Ultrasound is a safe procedure that uses sound waves to produce an image of your baby. You may have an ultrasound around six to ten weeks to confirm your due date, or you may have the more standard ultrasound around 20 weeks. This second-trimester ultrasound shows the baby’s development and often — but not always — reveals the baby’s sex.
The team at Tidewater Physicians for Women is especially proud of our ultrasound department, which is staffed by registered sonographers and accredited by the American Institute for Ultrasound in Medicine Accreditation. This accreditation verifies that we meet the highest national standards and have a history of excellent patient care.
Finding the right obstetrician is essential to making sure that your needs are taken care of in a healthy way. One of the primary concerns to keep in mind is that you need to find a doctor that takes your insurance. Some common providers include Aetna, Anthem, and Cigna. Costs add up quickly, so anything that can help with these expenses will leave you with more money to put toward your future baby. You’ll also want to make sure that your doctor is board-certified.
If you have any conditions that could impact your pregnancy or are dealing with a high-risk pregnancy, it’s helpful to search for an OB who specializes in treating those conditions. Even then, however, you’ll want to find an OB who shares your views on particular treatments. Don’t hesitate to ask their office front desk any frequently asked questions before you schedule your appointment.
Ultimately, you need to find an obstetrician with whom you are comfortable. All doctor treatments require a level of comfort with your provider, but the nature of pregnancy-related treatments requires an even higher level of trust. Even if you just have a gut feeling that makes you uncomfortable around a particular provider, it’s okay to search for someone else instead to take care of your well-being.
Putting your health and happiness first is what matters most to us at Tidewater Physicians for Women. To get the quality care you deserve at a Virginia Beach OBGYN, get in touch with our team of doctors and nurse practitioners by calling 757-461-3890 to speak with a team member today and schedule an appointment. We are open to same-day appointments and new patients in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and the surrounding Hampton Roads area with our years of experience.
828 Healthy Way Unit 330
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Fax: 757-467-0301
844 Kempsville Road #208
Norfolk, VA 23502
Fax: 757-461-0836
Appointments:
757-461-3890
Inquiries:
757-461-3890
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