Obstetrics

Obstetric care in Denver

If you're thinking about expanding your family or have a baby on the way, the obstetricians (OBs) and obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs) across the family of HealthONE Physician Group practices provide you with quality, individualized maternity care. Our providers strive to educate and support you before, during and after your pregnancy and also offer family planning services and infertility counseling and treatment.

Learn more about having a healthy, successful pregnancy by scheduling an appointment with one of our highly trained OB/GYNs.

Our obstetric services

Our OB/GYNs in and around Denver understand that having a baby stirs a wide range of emotions for expectant parents, from uncertainty and anxiety to the highest level of joy and happiness. We will be by your side to help you through the ups and downs of pregnancy and are committed to giving you the birth experience you desire.

Some of our obstetric services include:

• 3D ultrasound
• Cesarean delivery (C-section) by choice
• External cephalic versions (ECV)
• Family planning and birth control options
• Prenatal care
  • Routine pregnancies
  • High-risk pregnancy care due to maternal age, multiples (twins+) and other risk factors
• Genetic screening
• Infertility evaluation and treatment
• Midwifery care
• Morning sickness assistance
• Postpartum care
• Preconception counseling
• Pregnancy education
• Tubal occlusion or laparoscopic tubal ligation
• Unmedicated childbirth (natural childbirth)
• Vaginal birth after Cesarean section (VBAC)

Of course, a key part of our obstetrics care is actual labor and delivery. Our OB/GYNs see you in their offices during pregnancy and after childbirth, but will be in the delivery room to help you meet your little one at one of our affiliated HealthONE hospitals.

Prenatal care

Even though we've guided many women through pregnancy, we know it might be new to you. Our goal is to create a supportive environment where expectant parents feel comfortable asking questions. As part of our women's care services, our maternal care specialists strive for the best outcomes for mother and baby.

One of the main things to consider during your pregnancy is your birth plan. You can work with your OB to decide aspects of childbirth such as:

• Do you want a natural, unmedicated delivery?
• If you've previously had a C-section, do you want to have a C-section for this delivery or do you want to have a VBAC?
• Do you want to put together a music playlist to help during labor?
• Are there prenatal/parenting classes you're interested in taking?
• Who will be on your acceptable list of visitors to the hospital after delivery?

Prenatal appointment schedule

Prenatal appointments ensure both you and the fetus are healthy as your pregnancy progresses. Routine visits become more frequent as you progress through each trimester. You can expect to see your obstetrician or midwife at each prenatal appointment.

The recommended schedule of prenatal appointments is:

• Weeks four-28: once per month
• Weeks 29-36: every two weeks
• Weeks 36-40: every week

We'll answer any questions and address any symptoms or concerns you may have during each visit. We'll also check your weight and take a urine sample at each visit. Some appointments may include a blood draw, glucose testing and ultrasounds. If you're considered a high-risk pregnancy, your OB will coordinate with a perinatologist to provide extra screening and care measures as necessary.

Genetic screenings

Genetic screening procedures are a way to detect the probability of birth defects, and the decision on whether to do genetic screening is a personal choice. A woman who would not terminate a pregnancy may still want to consider a screening to help prepare herself, her family and her doctors for the birth of a baby with special needs.

High-risk pregnancy

We are equipped to provide prenatal care for general pregnancies as well as high-risk pregnancies including:

• Advanced maternal age
• Being overweight or obese
• Existing health conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes
• Gestational diabetes
• Multiple gestations (twins and higher-order multiples)

Midwifery services

At our Denver obstetric practices, you can choose to receive prenatal treatment from one of our highly skilled certified nurse midwives (CNMs). Just like an obstetrician, your CNM performs regular prenatal exams as well as aids in labor, delivery and postpartum care. CNMs focus on reducing medical interventions to support your goals for natural childbirth. Should complications arise during your pregnancy or labor, your midwife will work alongside an OB to ensure a healthy delivery. All of our CNMs are registered nurses and are trained in women's care services.

Postpartum care

Postpartum care is as equally important as prenatal care. Our OB/GYNs guide you through the crucial self-care process after the baby arrives. Our aim is to ease pain and discomfort while your body gradually heals. We can advise you on a number of care and postpartum conditions including:

• Alleviating pain postpartum
• Breastfeeding
• Constipation
• Emotional changes
• Postpartum mood disorders
• Episiotomy and laceration care
• Exercise and activity after delivery
• Hemorrhoids
• Prenatal vitamins, supplements and birth control
• Pelvic rest and postpartum intercourse
• Uterine cramping
• Vaginal bleeding and discharge

Family planning

Whatever your stage of life, our OB/GYNs can help with all aspects of your reproductive health including:

• Birth control options
• Family planning
• Genetic screening
• Infertility counseling and treatment
• Permanent sterilization (e.g. tubal ligation)
• Preconception checkups

Birth control

We support our patients as they manage their reproductive health. We offer counseling and prescriptions for a variety of birth control options including:

• Oral contraceptives — made of estrogen and progesterone and taken daily
• Intrauterine devices (IUD) — T-shaped birth control device that is inserted through the vagina and cervix into the uterus
• Diaphragm — soft rubber, latex or silicone cup that is filled with contraceptive jelly or cream and inserted into the vagina to cover the cervix
• Tubal ligation — outpatient laparoscopic procedure also known as "getting your tubes tied"

Infertility treatment

Dealing with infertility can be one of the most trying experiences in life. Our practices offer compassionate support and the latest medical techniques to help you conceive. The most common fertility treatments we offer are clomiphene and intrauterine insemination (IUI). Clomiphene treatment can assist with egg production and induce ovulation.

An IUI is performed by taking a sample of semen and placing a tiny plastic catheter through the cervical opening into the uterine cavity. Our OB/GYN practices offer IUI with or without clomiphene therapy. You can rely on our knowledgeable OB/GYNs to support you on this journey.

Access to pediatric specialists

We not only want to be your partner in health, we also want to be there to keep your child healthy as he or she grows up. Through our connection to our partner medical group in Denver, Rocky Mountain Pediatric Specialists, we can provide you direct access to children's health providers across a variety of pediatric specialties when needed.

From ENT services to cancer treatment to complex surgical procedures, our pediatric physicians recognize your child's unique needs and provide the effective, innovative care he or she deserves to have a healthier tomorrow.