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An ob-gyn is a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. Obstetrics focuses on pregnancy and childbirth, and gynecology is the general care of the female reproductive system.
Your care team
At Kaiser Permanente, your labor and delivery care team may include:
- Obstetrics-gynecology physicians
- Certified nurse-midwives
- Family medicine physicians
- Pediatrician
- Maternal-fetal medicine specialists
- Neonatologists
- Anesthesiologist/Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA's)
At the hospital
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Care team members
Depending on your preferences and needs, you may receive care from a physician or a certified nurse-midwife during your pregnancy. If you or your baby needs special care, we’ll refer you to one of our high-risk specialists.
These are registered nurses with advanced training who have taken certification exams in midwifery. Our midwives perform the majority of our uncomplicated births, in addition to providing prenatal care.
Family Medicine clinicians are dedicated to treating the whole person over a patient’s entire lifetime. This includes pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology care.
These ob-gyn physicians have advanced training in caring for high-risk mothers and babies. These specialists provide care and guidance for women who have health complications or complications during pregnancy.
These physicians specialize in caring for newborns, children, and adolescents. A pediatrician will see your new baby before you are discharged from the hospital. After that, you’ll choose a pediatrician or family doctor to care for your baby.
These physicians are pediatricians with advanced training to care for babies who need specialized care. Newborns who are premature, have birth defects, or have other high-risk situations are cared for by neonatologists.
These physicians are responsible for epidurals, spinals, and general anesthesia during childbirth.
Labor and delivery nurses care for women from the time they’re admitted to the hospital, throughout childbirth, and through the first few hours of your newborn’s life.
These registered nurses will care for you and your baby in the postpartum unit, also known as the Women and Newborn Care Unit. They specialize in caring for newborns and new moms, and can help you and your baby get started with breastfeeding.
An internationally board- certified lactation consultant specializes in breastfeeding. They help new moms who are having difficulties with breastfeeding for various reasons; including pain, latch problems, concerns about milk supply, a premature newborn, or history of breast surgeries. A lactation consultant will be available to help you in the hospital and after you have been discharged from the hospital.
A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) is trained to help families during times of challenge and change. Some parents need additional support and resources during the transition to parenthood, social workers provide counseling for perinatal mood disorders, social support, assistance with community resources and financial needs. If you feel you need to see a social worker, please let your nurse or clinician know.
Choosing your baby's doctor
Selecting a personal caregiver is one of the best things you can do for your child’s health. By choosing a clinician during your pregnancy, you can begin to develop a trusting relationship with them and prepare for your baby’s first visit.
- If you see a family medicine physician for yourself, that physician may be able to see your child as well.
- If you already have a clinician for your other children, this clinician will be happy to take care of your new child.
- A “Meet and Greet” session can be helpful if you have specific questions for a clinician you are considering. If you are interested, you may call 503-813-2000 and schedule an appointment to meet with one of our clinicians.
- We will help schedule the baby’s follow-up appointments with your chosen clinician before you leave the hospital.
Here are some tools to help with that selection: