Obstetrics & Gynecology in Minnesota

Obstetrics

Moms, before and after one of life's most thrilling events!

The Division of Obstetrics at Mayo Clinic in Rochester offers expert, personalized care for women before, during and after pregnancy. The division is comprised of board-certified physicians in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Certified Nurse Midwives.

Our patients present with a wide spectrum of medical, surgical and genetic conditions affecting the health of mother and/or fetus. The nature of our integrated practice easily allows collaboration with specialists in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Medical Genetics, Reproductive Endocrinology and other medical and surgical specialties, as needed. In addition, physicians in this division serve as consultants for the Family Medicine and Nurse Midwifery practices throughout Mayo Health System and elsewhere.

2,200 deliveries per year

More than 2,200 infants are delivered in our Labor and Delivery facility yearly. The facility consists of eight labor, delivery, recovery rooms and three dedicated obstetric operating rooms, as well as a triage/monitoring area. Our antepartum unit offers care for patients requiring hospitalization prior to delivery. Within Rochester Methodist Hospital is the Patient Receiving Unit, an urgent/emergency care area for both gynecological and obstetrical conditions such as vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain or possible labor.

Care process

Each patient chooses a primary health care provider within our division, who becomes familiar with the patient's health care history and formulates a plan for the pregnancy. Patients generally see their primary care provider for the majority of prenatal visits, thus developing a trusting relationship which benefits both provider and patient. Other health professionals, including nurse specialists, registered dietitians, social workers and perinatal educators, can also respond to patients' needs.

Obstetrical physicians and certified nurse mid-wives are in the hospital at all times, available for situations requiring immediate attention and management, for supervision of resident physicians, for urgent obstetric and gynecologic consultation, for intrapartum consultation for Family Medicine and Nurse Midwifery services and for external provider referrals to Labor and Delivery. Level 3 nursery (NICU), Level 2 intermediate care and Level 1 newborn nursery care are staffed by neonatology and pediatric specialists.

Treatment and Services

Genetic counseling is one of the services offered in Obstetrics.

Physicians in the Division have expertise in:

• Preterm labor or Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM)
• Gestational diabetes and patients with diabetes
• Gestational hypertension, preeclampsia
• Fetal malpresentation, previous shoulder dystocia
• Previous cesarean section for consideration of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)
• Multifetal gestation
• Intrauterine growth restriction (baby growing poorly during pregnancy)
• Oligohydramnios, polyhydramnios (too little or too much amniotic fluid)
• Advanced maternal age (mom older than 35 years at delivery)
• Grand multiparity (more than 5 pregnancies)
• Maternal/fetal medical and surgical conditions often in collaboration with other specialists

Appointments

Patients are encouraged to make their first appointment soon after they discover that they are pregnant and certainly within the first 10 weeks of gestation. If they have a health condition which could affect their health or their child's, preconception visits are highly recommended.

The 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.

Phone numbers:
(507) 284-5135 appointment desk
(507) 284-5143 Charlton 3B nurses, line
Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

(507) 266-7531 Labor and Delivery
(507) 266-7045 Patient Receiving Unit — available 24 hours a day for emergency needs