How to seek medical care for pregnancy?

When your body is going through physical changes that may be completely new to you, it isn't always easy to talk to your health care provider. Maybe you're wondering whether you can have sex or what to do about hemorrhoids or constipation, or maybe you're feeling a great deal of anxiety about the delivery.You might feel embarrassed to ask these or other questions, but it's important to do so — your health care provider has probably heard them all before. 

Pregnant women usually are cared for by:

• obstetricians (doctors who specialize in pregnancy and childbirth)

•  obstetricians/gynecologists (OB/GYNs) (doctors who specialize in pregnancy and childbirth, as well as women's health care)

•  family practitioners (doctors who provide a range of services for patients of all ages — in some cases, this includes obstetrical care — instead of specializing in one area)

•  certified nurse-midwife (an advanced practice nurse specializing in women's health care needs, including prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care for pregnancies without complications)

Any of these care providers is a good choice if you're healthy and there's no reason to anticipate complications with your pregnancy and delivery. However, nurse-midwives do need to have a doctor available for the delivery in case a cesarean section has to be performed.

Your health care provider may refer you to a doctor with expertise in high-risk pregnancies if you:

• have a chronic condition like diabetes or heart problems

•  have an increased risk of preterm labor

• are older than 35

• are pregnant with more than one fetus

•  have some other complicating factor that might put you in a high-risk category

Even if your pregnancy isn't high risk, this may still be a good time to make a change in health care providers if you're not comfortable with your current doctor.Keep a running list of questions between your appointments, and take that list with you to each visit.

It's also strongly recommended that you call your doctor immediately if you experience:

• heavy bleeding
• a sudden loss of fluid
• a marked absence of movement by the baby once he or she has begun moving
•  more than three contractions in an hour