Obstetrics and Gynecology in Minnesota

Obstetrics

The Division of Obstetrics doctors and certified nurse midwives offer women compassionate, expert and personalized care before, during and after pregnancy. Mayo Clinic's integrated practice allows obstetrics staff to work with specialists in maternal and fetal medicine, medical genetics, reproductive medicine and other medical and surgical specialties, as needed. In addition, doctors in the division consult for the Family Medicine and Nurse Midwifery practices throughout Mayo Health System and elsewhere.

Obstetrics staff members assist in the delivery of more than 2,300 babies each year. Eight rooms devoted to labor, delivery and recovery, and three dedicated obstetric operating rooms provide a private setting to treat women with a range of needs. Mayo Clinic has an antepartum unit for women requiring hospitalization prior to delivery, and facility tours are available. Read about perinatal education classes.

Care process

You'll choose a primary health care provider in obstetrics, who becomes familiar with your health history and, with you, forms a plan for your pregnancy. You'll generally see this primary care provider for the majority of prenatal visits so you can develop a trusting relationship. The obstetrics practice also includes nurse specialists, registered dietitians, social workers and perinatal educators who can respond to your needs.

Obstetricians and certified nurse midwives are in the hospital at all times to handle situations requiring immediate attention. Neonatologists and pediatric specialists staff the newborn intensive care units and other nurseries.

Treatment and services

Providers have expertise in:

• Preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM)
• Gestational diabetes and diabetes mellitus
• Gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia
• Fetal malpresentation and previous shoulder dystocia
• Consideration of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)
• Multifetal gestation
• Intrauterine growth restriction (baby growing poorly during pregnancy)
• Oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios (too little or too much amniotic fluid)
• Advanced maternal age (mother older than 35 years at delivery)
• Grand multiparity (more than five pregnancies)
• Maternal/fetal medical and surgical conditions, often in collaboration with other specialists

Perinatal education classes

Perinatal education helps families prepare for the birth of a child. Classes address:

• Pregnancy and labor preparation
• Pre-conception care
• Preparation for young or first-time mothers
• Preparation for cesarean delivery
• Multiple pregnancy
• Sibling preparation for a new baby or birth attendance
• Breast-feeding
• Infant passenger safety
• Grandparenting
• Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).

The perinatal education class schedule provides specific information. Download a registration form.

Breast-feeding support

At Mayo Clinic, mothers receive breast-feeding information and assistance from specially trained nurses during their hospital stay. If mothers need additional help, certified lactation consultants can assist, and mothers may attend postpartum breast-feeding classes. Families who continue receiving medical care at Mayo Clinic can continue to receive breast-feeding support from a lactation consultant after leaving the hospital. Classes and breast-feeding support are available for families who have a newborn hospitalized in one of the Special Care Nurseries (NICU or ISCN).

Making an appointment

You're encouraged to make an initial appointment soon after you discover you are pregnant and certainly within the first 10 weeks of gestation. If you have a health condition that could affect your pregnancy or your child's development, Mayo Clinic doctors highly recommend pre-conception visits.

Your first appointment consists of a thorough medical history, risk assessment and educational session with specially trained nurses. Appropriate follow-up appointments and laboratory testing are arranged.

Physician staff