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Ob/Gyn. Patient Care
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Obstetrics
Obstetrics is the surgical specialty dealing with the care of a woman and her offspring during pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (the period shortly after birth). Midwifery is the equivalent non-surgical specialty. Most obstetricians are also gynaecologists.
Antenatal care
In obstetric practice, an obstetrician or midwife sees a pregnant woman on a regular basis to check the progress of the pregnancy and to detect possible diseases. A woman's schedule of antenatal appointment varies depending on local resources and her risk factors, such as diabetes.
Signs
Trimesters
First trimester: elevated β-hCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) of up to 100,000 mIU/mL by 10 weeks GA is thought to contribute to morning sickness, fatigue, mood swings and food cravings. The symptoms can last through 12 to 16 weeks of gestation.
Second trimester: The abdomen shows an obvious swelling arising from the pelvis, starting the "obvious phase" of pregnancy. Hyperpigmentation, including linea nigra, may appear.
Third trimester: The mother may experience backaches due to increased strain. Typically, the curvature of the spine is changed as pregnancy evolves in order to counteract the change in weight distribution. The mother may also suffer mild urinary incontinence due to pressure on the bladder by the pregnant uterus, as well as heartburn(due to compression of the stomach).