An obstetrician (also called an OB/GYN), a doctor who specializes in pregnancy, childbirth, and a woman's reproductive system. Your obstetrician can take care of you throughout your pregnancy, and give you follow-up care such as annual Pap tests for years to come.
During your pregnancy, your OB will:
Monitor your health and your developing babies' health, including doing routine ultrasounds, measurements, and tests
Check for health conditions that could cause problems during your pregnancy or affect your babies' health, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, infections, and genetic disorders
Advise you about diet, exercise, medications, and staying healthy
Help you cope with morning sickness, back and leg pain, heartburn, and other common pregnancy complaints
Answer your questions about pregnancy and your growing baby
Explain what will happen during labor and delivery
Your OB will also:
Deliver your babies
Monitor your health while you recuperate
OB/GYNs have graduated from medical school and completed a four-year residency program in obstetrics and gynecology. The residency trains them in pre-pregnancy health, pregnancy, labor and childbirth, health problems after childbirth, genetics, and genetic counseling. A board-certified OB has completed the residency training and passed rigorous written and oral exams.
Learn more about what an obstetrician does at WebMD.com.