Expert: Catherine Beier MS CBE - 3/19/2008

Question
What is the difference between a Perinatologists and a High Risk Doctor?  If a mom to be is sent to a high risk doctor, is he/she the one that will deliver the baby?  Can a resident deliver the baby of a high risk mother?

Answer
Jennifer,

A Perinatologist is a subspecialty of obstetrician that deals exclusively with high-risk pregnancies such as high order multiples, women with heart conditions, diabetes, etc.

There is no specialty called a high risk doctor. Sometimes people use the term high risk doctor when they actually mean perinatologist. If you are having complications in your pregnancy, you would be referred to a perinatologist.  

There are some obstetricians who specialize in high-risk pregnancies, meaning those are the clients they prefer to take.  These doctors may be commonly referred to as high risk doctors by the public.

The person who attends the delivery will depend on the individual circumstances in that case.  In some instances, the perinatologist will consult with the regular OB and in other, he will attend the delivery.

A resident may attend the birth of a high risk mother.  It would depend on the individual circumstances.  Some women are considered high risk because of maternal age, etc, not because they are having any complications.  Being high risk means you are at greater risk of developing complications, but it does not mean that they will actually develop.


Best,
Catherine