Who is who in the maternity hospital: from the emergency room to the children”s department

For new parents in particular, entering a maternity hospital can be a mixture of excitement and anxiety. It can be less scary and more seamless if you know who is who and what each person does.

From the time you arrive at the ER to the time your newborn is being cared for in the children’s department, this guide will take you through the key roles you’ll encounter. Being aware of who is in charge of what can put you at ease and make sure you know where to go when you need assistance and care.

This post will introduce you to the important players in the maternity hospital, from the committed physicians and nurses who provide emergency care to the specialists who make sure the mother and child are doing well. Gaining an understanding of these roles will also boost your confidence as you navigate this crucial period in your family’s history.

Reception doctor

An admission department obstetrician-gynecologist greets the expectant mother at the maternity hospital.

His job is to perform a preliminary assessment and determine whether childbirth can occur in the obstetric physiological department or if further testing in the observation department is necessary.

The pregnant woman’s height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, and pulse rate will be recorded upon admission to the maternity hospital, and tests will be conducted if needed. Aside from that, the doctor will examine the skin (paleness and dryness suggest anemia), assess the veins (elastic bandages are used in cases of varicose veins to prevent bleeding and thrombosis during childbirth), and most importantly, determine whether any medication allergies exist.

The obstetrician-gynecologist in the emergency room will also take measurements of the baby’s heartbeat, which can be used to assess the child’s health and readiness for delivery. Other measurements include the size of the abdomen and the height of the uterus fundus (the distance from the womb to the fundus of the uterus), the uterine tone, and the presentation of the fetus.

The physician will perform a vaginal examination after the examination. This is required to evaluate the amniotic sac’s integrity and the cervix’s degree of dilation.

All of these signs are recorded in the patient’s medical file and provide a comprehensive picture of the expectant mother’s health, her body’s preparedness for delivery, and any potential challenges or complications that may arise.

After that, the laboring woman will receive sanitary treatment, which includes an enema, a shower, and shaving of the external genitalia.

The expectant mother is then transferred to the physiological maternity ward in the event that the anamnesis shows no risk factors or indications of infection.

The prospective mother can be referred to the Walking department if the birthing process has just started. Women in the Observatory department are those who are in labor, do not have an exchange card, or exhibit symptoms of infectious diseases. When a woman arrives at the hospital experiencing frequent contractions and a significant cervical disclosure, which suggests that the estimated period is about to begin, she is admitted right away to the maternity block’s premium ward.

Obstetrician-gynecologist in the maternity ward

Gynecologist and obstetrician in the maternity ward This physician will perform the delivery. He looks over the woman’s medical records from her recuperation, plans the best way to deliver the baby, and studies the documentation.

"Until it is evident that the birth process has concluded successfully—sometimes this is only confirmed two hours after the baby is born—the attending physician does not leave the woman in labor.

When a woman gives birth under contract, she is under the care of a specific obstetrician-gynecologist from the time of admission to the conclusion of labor.

The obstetrician-gynecologist performs a periodic examination during the first stage of labor (until the cervix is fully dilated), noting the degree of cervix dilation, the increase in contraction strength and intensity, and the expectant mother’s condition (blood pressure, pulse, and temperature). Cardiotocography (CTG) is a method of continuously monitoring the child’s health. Two sensors are affixed to the mother’s abdomen: one monitors the baby’s heart rate continuously and records changes in it based on the tone of the uterus; the other monitors the uterus’s contractile activity.

The delivery room doctor may prescribe medication, such as epidural anesthesia, which relieves pain during childbirth, if necessary. He chooses to perform an emergency cesarean section if there is a suspicion of fetal hypoxia.

The obstetrician-gynecologist assesses the fetus’s condition and the quality of pushing during the second stage of labor. He delivers the baby if it presents breech, which means that the fetus’s legs or pelvis are next to the entrance into the woman’s small pelvis during labor.

Following delivery, the doctor assesses the placenta’s integrity and removes any damaged tissue by hand. He also keeps an eye out for any indications of placental separation. After that, he looks over the birth canal and sutures any tears or wounds.

The midwife and the doctor collaborate during labor, with the doctor giving the midwife instructions.

For new parents, knowing who is who in the maternity hospital can make things go more smoothly and less stressfully. Every employee, from the children’s department to the emergency room, is vital to the health of the mother and child. Being aware of the roles played by physicians, nurses, and other specialists enables parents to visit the hospital with comfort and confidence.

Midwife

Midwife: The obstetrician-gynecologist’sassistant,she follows the doctor’s plan, keeps all of his appointments, and implements his recommendations.

She takes the mother’s blood pressure, records the fetal monitor (a device that measures the fetus’s heart rate and the uterus’ contractile activity) and checks the mother’s contraction frequency and intensity every half an hour. The midwife reports to the physician the findings of her observations.

The baby is delivered by the midwife if the labor proceeds normally and the fetus is in the cephalic presentation, meaning that its head is next to its exit into the woman’s pelvis. She helps prevent perineal tears by teaching the laboring woman the proper breathing techniques, pushing techniques, and positions to be in at each stage of the process.

Following delivery, the midwife trims the umbilical cord, clamps it, and places the infant on the mother’s breast.

The midwife’s job is to clean the newborn’s first toilet, which she does by washing it in warm water, removing any blood, mucus, or meconium, and wiping it with a warm, sterile diaper before weighing, measuring, and wrapping the infant.

The placenta’s release is another issue the midwife handles. It goes with the woman not only through childbirth but also through the postpartum phase, monitoring blood pressure, uterine tone, and blood loss in the initial two hours following delivery.

DOUL

The translation of this Greek word is "slave." Doulas are now referred to as women’s labor assistants.

Similar to a midwife, a doula stays close to the laboring woman but offers her psychological support rather than medical care.

She keeps an eye on her comfort, offers emotional support, uplifts her spirits, and clearly describes in layman’s terms what happens at each stage of labor and the procedures that are performed. A doula provides massages during and in between contractions, assists with proper breathing monitoring, assists in selecting the most comfortable and efficient birth position, and employs psychological pain management techniques such as hypnosis, visualization, and relaxation. She is the person you can ask for regular help with things like getting water or going to the bathroom.

A doula is knowledgeable about the stages of childbirth and critical situations, but she never makes medical recommendations because that is outside of her scope of practice.

Reference: Doulas first appeared in the United States in the 1980s, when women started inviting friends, familiar midwives, and childbirth instructors to the birth in order to help prevent a cesarean section and offer moral support. This led to a rise in the number of cesarean sections that women were concerned about. Doulas are a relatively new profession in our nation; the Association of Professional Doulas was founded in 2015.

Generally, a contract option allows a doula to be present during childbirth; however, there are instances where doulas are permitted entry into the delivery room as partners under the mandatory medical insurance system, given the woman’s need for emotional support. This is a common practice in many maternity hospitals in Moscow. In addition, some clinics offer the chance to receive assistance from on-call volunteer doulas, and certain medical facilities offer psychological support to expectant mothers.

Neonatologist and pediatric nurse

A neonatologist works with newborns as their patients, making him a "micro-pediatrician" who also works in the delivery room prior to the baby’s birth. This physician examines the infant as soon as he cries for the first time and assesses his health in the first minute of life and five minutes after delivery using a ten-point Apgar scale.

The following factors are taken into account when using the Apgar scale to evaluate a newborn: height, weight, the way the body responds to irritation, and overall health.

The neonatologist assesses skin tone, reflexes, muscle tone, and heart and breathing patterns. He needs to rule out both external developmental abnormalities and congenital defects. The physician performs medical procedures and resuscitation right away if needed.

A pediatric nurse assists a neonatologist in most maternity hospitals. She follows the doctor’s instructions, such as taking blood samples to determine blood type or performing an umbilical cord blood test in the event of a Rh conflict. The pediatric nurse also keeps an eye on the baby for the first two hours after birth while the mother is in the delivery room.

A newborn will be under the care of a neonatologist and a pediatric nurse until he is released from the maternity hospital, regardless of whether he is placed with his mother or in the children’s department. These professionals are in charge of a doctor’s daily examination of the infant and a nurse’s help with child care.

If the infant is in the children’s department, the nurse brings the child to the mother’s ward for feeding or feeds him with donor milk in accordance with the doctor’s prescribed plan. She also handles all medical and sanitary-hygienic appointments and keeps a close eye on the newborn’s overall condition.

Recognizing the different roles that staff members play in a maternity hospital can help to lessen the overwhelming nature of giving birth. A team committed to making sure you and your child are safe and well-cared for will greet you as soon as you walk into the emergency room. Doctors and nurses work in the emergency room to evaluate patients and offer prompt care when necessary.

After being admitted, you will get to know the midwives who will support you during labor and delivery and the obstetricians who specialize in childbirth. In order to handle your delivery and guarantee a seamless transition from pregnancy to parenthood, their knowledge and assistance are invaluable.

Your baby will be taken to the neonatal unit after delivery, where neonatal nurses and pediatricians take charge. To guarantee a healthy start, they keep an eye on your baby’s health and take care of any early concerns. Postnatal care staff will help you heal while offering advice on how to care for your newborn.

You can feel more at ease and concentrate on the significant moments of meeting your new child if you are aware of who is responsible for what in the maternity hospital. The whole hospital staff is working together to make this important life event go as smoothly and positively as possible.

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