Who is in the Delivery Room
A delivery room is a well-oiled machine, with a careful choreography of events.
As a health practitioner working there, the participants you see are numerous and diverse and they all serve specific roles in the process of birthing.
Delivery is a long, exhausting process. It can be overwhelming to try and keep track of everything that is happening, but it helps if you know who to expect in that room as you help bring life forth.
Here then is a list of 7 healthcare practitioners that you will be working with inside the delivery room.
1. The Nurse or Midwife
delivery room practitioners – The Nurse or Midwife
This professional is supposed to be on hand throughout the entire labor experience and will make sure that everything goes according to the patient’s wishes and plan.
Nurses are generally trained to handle most situations that may arise during labor and delivery but will defer to the doctor if there is something beyond their scope of expertise.
Some nurses may even be certified in certain techniques that allow them to lend a helping hand in speeding up the labor process, such as the use of nipple stimulation during early contractions.
2. The OB/GYN
Although there are many doctors working during labor and delivery, the doctor that will be responsible for the mother’s care is the obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN).
This is a licensed physician who specializes in women’s health, including pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care.
He or she will have spent many years of schooling learning how to deliver babies and provide expert postpartum care to new mothers.
The OB/GYN will also be responsible for overseeing all of the other medical professionals in attendance to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
3. The Physician
The physician is the main point of contact throughout pregnancy and labor. Typically, they will be the ones to give medical advice and counsel on everything from nutrition to exercise.
They will also oversee laboratory tests and ultrasounds. During labor, their instructions will be extremely useful as they oversee the medical aspects of delivery.
If a complication arises during labor, they will determine whether an emergency cesarean section is necessary.
4. Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists, also known as anesthetists, are licensed physicians who administer anesthesia to patients before surgery or other invasive procedures.
They prepare patients for surgery by performing a physical examination, creating a treatment plan, administering medications and monitoring the patient’s condition throughout the procedure.
This may involve inserting catheters, tubes or other medical devices into patients’ bodies so that they can receive oxygen or pain medication.
Anesthesiologists also monitor and regulate the amount of anesthesia given to patients, which may be regulated through computer-assisted machines.
The primary role of an anesthesiologist is to ensure the safety of patients during surgical and other medical procedures. An anesthesiologist will be needed in the delivery room if it is a cesarean birth.
5. Pediatrician
delivery room practitioners – Pediatrician
A pediatrician is a medical doctor who specializes in the care of infants and children.
Pediatricians may provide primary care to infants, toddlers, children, adolescents and young adults; however, their expertise primarily lies in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood illnesses.
6. Perinatologist
A perinatologist is a doctor who specializes in the care of a woman and her baby during and immediately following pregnancy.
Perinatologists provide care to women and their families on a variety of issues including high-risk pregnancy, prenatal diagnosis, fetal therapy, management of labor, delivery, and postnatal care of mother and infant.
7. Doula
There is a lot of talk in the birth community about what role doulas should play, whether they are necessary and how much they cost.
There are many different types of doulas, including Birth Doulas, Labor Doulas, Postpartum Doulas and Childbirth Educators.
A doula is a Greek word meaning “a woman who serves”. It is used to describe birth support for people who are not medical professionals.
Their focus is on supporting the laboring mother and her partner.
They provide emotional support, physical comfort measures such as massage and counter-pressure, help with breathing techniques, suggest positions for labor and help keep track of medical details for the birthing mother.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know who to expect once you get into the delivery room, you should not be confused or feel overwhelmed.
All the aforementioned professionals work together to make delivery a success.
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