About obstetricians
An obstetrician is a medical doctor with special training and skills in the health of birthing mothers and babies during pregnancy and birth and in the early weeks after birth.
Obstetricians are trained to manage the complex medical needs of women and babies during pregnancy and birth. They’re also trained to manage emergency situations so that babies can be born safely – for example, emergency caesareans.
Obstetricians might work with neonatologists and other specialists to make sure birthing mothers and babies are well during labour and birth.
During pregnancy: why you might see an obstetrician
Depending on where you plan to give birth, and also on your health and your baby’s health, you might see an obstetrician at a clinic or a hospital from time to time during your pregnancy.
If you have a complex pregnancy, you’re likely to see an obstetrician more often.
If you’re planning a private hospital birth or having your baby in a public hospital using your private health fund, your private obstetrician will see you regularly at their clinic for your pregnancy appointments.
An obstetrician might:
- send you for tests and ultrasound scans
- give you information and talk with you about test and scan results
- give you information and talk with you about pregnancy care and birth
- check your health and your baby’s health
- talk about things like medicine use, alcohol use and smoking or vaping.
At the birth: why you might see an obstetrician
Public hospital or birth centre
If you or your baby needs extra medical checks or care, an obstetrician will be at the birth. The obstetrician will manage any problems and do procedures or operations. You might need to transfer to a birthing suite or operating theatre for this to happen.
Private hospital
Your obstetrician will usually check on you during labour and come for the birth. The obstetrician will also manage problems and do procedures or operations if needed.
Obstetricians often work in small teams. If your obstetrician isn’t available for your birth, they’ll arrange for another obstetrician to be there.
After the birth: why you might see an obstetrician
Public hospital or birth centre
Depending on what happens at the birth, an obstetrician might check on you after the birth. After this, you probably won’t see an obstetrician again, unless you have a special need.
Private hospital
Your obstetrician will visit you in hospital afterwards and check that you’re recovering well. You might also see your obstetrician for a check 4-6 weeks after birth. At this appointment, your obstetrician will check your physical and emotional health, including recovery from birth.
To see a private obstetrician, you’ll need a referral from your GP. If you see an obstetrician as part of your care in a public hospital or birth centre, you don’t need a referral.
Obstetricians in different birth settings
At public hospitals, you probably won’t see an obstetrician if you have an uncomplicated pregnancy and everything goes smoothly at the birth. If you do need to see an obstetrician during your pregnancy or birth, you’re not usually able to choose the obstetrician. If you want to see a female doctor, you can ask if one is available, but this might not be possible.
If you’re having your baby in a public hospital using your private health fund, you can choose your private obstetrician if they have a special agreement with that hospital. See your GP in early pregnancy for a referral.
At private hospitals, you can choose the obstetrician you want for your pregnancy care and birth. You need to see your GP to get a referral.
At birth centres, you might have one or more appointments with an obstetrician, depending on your pregnancy needs. If you want to choose your own private obstetrician, you should first check whether they’re available to come to the birth centre.
Obstetricians aren’t usually part of homebirth pregnancy care and birth, unless there’s a problem and you need to go to hospital. If you’re in a publicly funded homebirth program, an obstetrician might do a brief review during your pregnancy to check your health and your baby’s health and development.
Choosing an obstetrician
It’s a good idea to ask a lot of questions in your first appointment with an obstetrician so you can find one who matches your needs. For example, you could ask about:
- what to expect during labour and birth with the obstetrician
- whether the obstetrician will deliver your baby
- what the obstetrician recommends for safe labour and birth, and what they think about procedures like inductions of labour or caesareans
- whether the obstetrician can work with your birth preferences and needs – for example, vaginal birth after a previous caesarean
- how long before you can get an appointment to see the obstetrician
- how much your pregnancy care will cost – it’s a good idea to check whether you can get some money back from Medicare or private health insurance
- where you have to go to see the obstetrician, and which hospital or hospitals the obstetrician works with.
If you don’t feel that the obstetrician is a good match for your needs, you can choose a different obstetrician. Your GP can help you find the right obstetrician. You can also go to The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists – Find a women’s health doctor.