Why Choose an Obstetrician as Your LMC for Maternity Care?
From the moment you find out you're expecting to the first cry of your newborn, every stage of the journey is filled with emotional, physical, and psychological changes. When choosing an LMC in New Zealand, you have several options, including midwives, general practitioners (GPs), and obstetricians. While each option has benefits, this article will explore the specific benefits of obstetric-led care and why an LMC Obstetrician might be the best choice for you and your baby.
What Is an Obstetrician?
An obstetrician is a medical doctor who specialises in the care of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Obstetricians are highly trained professionals with a medical degree and many years of specialised training in women’s reproductive health, pregnancy, pregnancy complications, and childbirth procedures. They are experts in managing both routine and high-risk pregnancies, making them uniquely qualified to provide comprehensive maternity care.
At Wellington Obstetrics, we have some of New Zealand’s most experienced obstetricians, including some of whom have specialised and completed extra training in Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Gynaecology and Ultasound.
1. Expertise in high-risk pregnancies
One of the key reasons for choosing an LMC Obstetrician is their expertise in high-risk pregnancy care. While many pregnancies progress without complications, some women face conditions such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.), or a history of miscarriages or preterm births. As obstetricians, we are trained to monitor, diagnose, and treat these complications with evidence based best practice, ensuring the best possible outcomes for both mother and baby.
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or autoimmune diseases, obstetric care becomes even more valuable. Our understanding of how these conditions can affect pregnancy allows us to take the necessary precautions to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.
2. Comprehensive medical training
The comprehensive thorough medical training our team undergo is one of the major benefits of obstetric-led care. After completing medical school, obstetricians complete many years of speciality training specifically in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, where they become experienced in managing complex pregnancies and performing surgeries, including Caesarean sections, Instrumental births and surgical management of pregnancy complications and Obstetric emergencies. This advanced medical background equips our team with the ability to handle any unexpected complications that may arise during pregnancy or birth.
While midwives provide excellent care for routine, low-risk pregnancies, they have a different skill set to obstetricians, particularly in dealing with emergencies. If complications arise suddenly during labour, obstetricians are experienced to manage such things as fetal distress requiring assisted birth and Obstetric haemorrhage. We can act quickly to manage these emergencies in a timely fashion to help ensure a safe birth for both mother and baby. At Wellington Obstetrics you have an Obstetrician present at your birth to manage any unexpected events along with midwifery care.
3. Access to advanced diagnostic tools and procedures
The team at Wellington Obstetrics have access to advanced diagnostic tools and technologies that may not always be available in other maternity care settings. Ultrasounds, fetal medicine consultations, and specialised antenatal tests such as non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPT) or carrier screening are more commonly performed or recommended by obstetricians. These diagnostic tests can provide important information about your baby’s wellbeing, allowing for early detection of any abnormalities or complications.
For women who have experienced difficulty conceiving or who have undergone fertility treatments, our holistic approach at Wellington Obstetrics can offer additional peace of mind. Our team is familiar with assisted reproductive technologies and can provide comprehensive monitoring and care throughout a pregnancy that may already be considered high-risk.
4. Flexibility in birthing options
Our highly experienced LMC Obstetricians offer a wide range of birthing options, including vaginal and Caesarean births. We are supportive of all modes of birth and have a collaborative approach in discussions and planning. For women who may need a planned caesarean section due to medical reasons or personal preference, we are trained and experienced in performing this surgery safely.
Furthermore, if you choose to attempt a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC), an obstetrician is well-equipped to monitor the situation closely and make real-time decisions if the need for another caesarean arises. This flexibility in birthing options allows women to feel more empowered and confident about their childbirth experience, knowing that their LMC is capable of handling any scenario.
5. Postpartum support
The obstetric care Wellington Obstetrics provides doesn’t end once your baby is born. We provide comprehensive postpartum care, ensuring that your recovery from childbirth is progressing as expected. This includes monitoring for complications such as postpartum haemorrhage or infections, as well as providing guidance on postpartum mental health issues like anxiety and depression. We also provide support with breastfeeding and other newborn care concerns, ensuring that both you and your baby are thriving.
How does obstetric care differ from other forms of maternity care?
We are extremely lucky that choosing an LMC in New Zealand is designed to give women a choice in how their pregnancy and birth are managed. The three main types of LMCs include midwives, GPs, and obstetricians, and each offers distinct approaches to maternity care.
1. Midwives
Midwives are the most common type of LMC in New Zealand and provide holistic, woman-centred care throughout pregnancy, labour, and the postpartum period. Midwives are experts in normal pregnancy and childbirth and are often the preferred choice for women with low-risk pregnancies. They emphasise natural birth, continuity of care, and a personalised approach to support the mother's physical, emotional, and social needs.
However, midwives typically refer patients to an obstetrician if complications arise, as they are not trained to manage complex medical conditions or perform surgeries.
2. General Practitioners (GPs)
Some GPs offer maternity care, particularly in rural areas where access to midwives or obstetricians may be limited. GPs can provide routine pregnancy care and monitor the health of the mother and baby, but they often refer to an obstetrician if complications arise. GPs typically work in collaboration with midwives or obstetricians to ensure the best outcomes for their patients.
Choosing an LMC obstetrician for your maternity care offers many benefits, particularly if you have a high-risk pregnancy or pre-existing medical conditions or simply want that added layer of expertise to set your mind at ease as you navigate this complex and beautiful ride to motherhood.
At Wellington Obstetrics we have a team of highly trained obstetricians to manage complications, provide access to advanced diagnostics, and offer a wide range of birthing options, all while ensuring that you and your baby receive the best possible care.
We're here to support you through every step of this incredible journey. Find out more about our obstetricians and how we can help you.