Obstetricians have a specific expertise in treating complications of pregnancy and childbirth, and providing specialist screening and treatment. Women may occasionally choose the obstetrician as the lead carer. Women with a high risk pregnancy will have their care managed by an obstetrician, with midwifery and GP support. Other women may see obstetricians to receive specialist advice, have access to specialist screening, or to meet the consultant who will be responsible for providing care if their pregnancy becomes high risk, or if emergency support is required. Paediatricians and Neonatologists have a responsibility for looking after the medical needs of all babies, including premature infants, babies who are ill, and babies with congenital abnormalities.
Consultant paediatricians provide hospital services for all children.
Neonatologists are paediatricians who specialise only in the care of the newborn baby, and they develop and supervise intensive care, high dependency and special care services. All paediatricians are fully trained in resuscitation and stabilisation of sick newborn babies. They supervise clinical examination of the baby, and must be skilled in communication with parents, especially in discussing anxieties about their baby. Neonatologists work closely with obstetricians and midwives to plan care of newborn babies when abnormalities have been identified prior to birth. Planning with the parents may include choosing the optimal time of birth, maturing the baby prior to delivery, and organising the appropriate intensive care facilities for the sick newborn baby.