Obstetrics
Obstetric gynecologists (OB/GYNs) are specialists who care for women during pregnancy. Beginning with prenatal exams and continuing through childbirth to postpartum care. Women can expect a range of services, such as ultrasounds, infertility counseling, contraceptive advice and cesarean procedures.
Pregnancy care and childbirth in Wichita
One of the first important decisions you'll make as a parent is choosing where your baby will be born. For more than 100 years, women have chosen to deliver their babies with us, leading to us welcoming nearly 6,000 babies per year.
The experienced, compassionate obstetricians and maternity specialists within the Wesley Care Physicians family of providers consider it a privilege to play a role in your pregnancy and birth journey. Each day, we strive to give families their ideal birth experience. We offer the support, guidance and medical expertise you need to have a healthy pregnancy, safe delivery and optimal recovery after childbirth.
Related specialties
Learn more about our related specialties.
Nationally recognized maternity care program
Our maternity care program is nationally distinguished by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. Our patients deliver at Wesley Medical Center, the only hospital in Kansas recognized as a Baby-Friendly birth facility for its efforts to encourage skin-to-skin contact between mothers and babies.
Comprehensive obstetric care
Our obstetric services start from your first prenatal visit and continue on well after delivery, ensuring you have a healthy recovery. Features of our OB program include:
- Comprehensive prenatal care
- Expert high-risk pregnancy care
- A dedicated nurse navigator of women's health who can answer any question about delivering with us
- Childbirth education classes on infant care, breastfeeding and parenting
- 20 birth suites that include a caregiver bed, family room and private bathroom, all in addition to the mother's room
- Touch screen monitors at each bedside for patients to review medical information, access entertainment and the Internet to video chat with family members
- A highly respected neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with tenured, experienced specialists
- Compassionate postpartum support
- Free breastfeeding clinics
- Information and confidence-boosting skills needed to initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies successfully
Preparing for labor and delivery
When it's time to bring your little one into the world, you want to be as prepared as possible. Our team of experts helps you design a birth plan, including determining what method you'd like to deliver. You can deliver your child through:
- Lamaze natural childbirth — This method uses specific breathing and muscle relaxation methods during labor and at the time of delivery. These techniques are taught in special childbirth education classes, recommended for you to take around seven to eight months pregnant. You will also receive help from your support person or coach, the doctor and the nurses. Ask our specialists in women's care for information on how to sign up.
- Leboyer method — During a Leboyer delivery, the room is kept quiet and dimly lit to ease the trauma of birth for your baby. The child is not held upside down and is not whisked away to be examined immediately after arriving. If you are interested in this method, ask your doctor to explain it in more detail for you.
Developing your birth plan
Have you thought about how you would like your labor and delivery to be? There are different options for you during childbirth. Our labor and delivery team wants to make the childbirth experience the best it can be for you and your family. While we want to adhere to your personal choices, our goal is a healthy mother and baby. Discuss what you want with your healthcare provider during your prenatal care, and remember to prepare for unexpected changes.
Here are a few things to consider:
- Who do you want to be with you during this time for support?
- Do you want to walk or sit in a chair during labor?
- What type of anesthesia do you want?
- What position is preferable during delivery?
- Who do you want to cut the umbilical cord?
- Do you want the baby placed on your stomach immediately after delivery?
- Do you want to breastfeed immediately?
- Do you have special clothes for the baby's newborn pictures?
Preterm labor
Preterm labor is labor that occurs more than three weeks before your due date. Uterine contractions cause the cervix (womb opening) to thin out and open earlier than usual. An early birth could cause your baby to have difficulty breathing, eating or keeping a normal body temperature.
You should call your doctor or the hospital as soon as possible if you are experiencing the following:
- Abdominal cramping with or without diarrhea
- Dull, low backache felt below the waistline that comes and goes or is constant
- Menstrual-like cramps in the lower abdomen
- Pelvic pressure
- Uterine contractions, which happen every 10 minutes or more often
- Vaginal discharge that may increase in amount or become mucousy, watery or slightly bloody
To prevent preterm labor, you should:
- Increase your rest periods
- Decrease strenuous physical activity
- Eat healthy, nutritious foods each day
- Drink plenty of liquids each day — limit coffee, tea and soft drinks
- If you smoke, quit as soon as possible
- See your healthcare provider on a regular schedule
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