If you just found out that you're pregnant or you're eagerly trying to conceive, you're probably full of excitement and possibly a bit nervous too. After all, there's a lot to think about during those early stages of pregnancy! However, most women don't realize how much medical care happens during pregnancy until they're already in the middle of it, and that can add to the nerves and stress.

Luckily, most doctors are already prepared for all of your questions and concerns. In fact, there are five types of doctors who you may want to consult during your journey.

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OB/GYN

Most women are familiar with an and see them as an authority when it comes to pregnancy. In fact, the vast majority of women use OB/GYNs for their prenatal check-ups and delivery. These doctors complete all of their training in women's reproductive health, so they start their careers with experience directly in prenatal care and labor.

According to the team at , there are many reasons why women would want to consult an OB/GYN during their pregnancy. First and foremost, many women already have a relationship with an OB/GYN before they even conceive. Furthermore, OB/GYNs are the best doctors to choose for your prenatal care if you're concerned about pregnancy complications or you already know that your pregnancy could be at high risk due to underlying health conditions.

However, OB/GYNs will insist on a traditional hospital delivery. They're also more likely to use surgical interventions during pregnancy, especially if labor isn't progressing at a rate they feel is best. For these reasons, an OB/GYN may not be the best doctor to consult for women who want to do completely natural childbirth.

General Practitioner Or Internal Medicine Doctor

Although most people don't think about their primary care physician when selecting a doctor for their pregnancy care, these general practitioners can be a great resource for expecting moms, especially during the early stages of pregnancy. If you aren't certain that you're pregnant, a primary care physician or internal family medicine doctor can help you confirm the pregnancy and guide you towards a specialist that will meet your ongoing needs. They can also advise you on how to deal with symptoms during the first trimester, such as morning sickness.

What's more, the experts at say that some general practitioners will even provide prenatal care and handle your labor and delivery. If you like your primary care doctor and already see them for your annual pap smears, you may want to check with them and see if they provide prenatal care in addition to their other services.

Midwife

If you're looking for a more holistic approach to your prenatal care and delivery, then you may want to consult . Although they've been around for centuries, these trained professionals have only grown increasingly popular with expectant mothers in recent years. This is likely because of their approach to prenatal care and their willingness to let mothers deliver babies naturally.

If you aren't familiar with midwives, the says these professionals focus on educating their patients, preventing complications, and only using medical interventions when absolutely necessary. However, they do follow many of the same guidelines as OB/GYNs in terms of prenatal care, meaning they do routine labs and imagining to make sure that the pregnancy is progressing well and both mother and baby are healthy.

A midwife may be a great choice if your pregnancy is relatively low risk and you have no pre-existing conditions or a history of delivery complications. Midwives can also work in conjunction with your primary care physician or OB/GYN if you'd like a larger team for your prenatal care and delivery.

Geneticist

There are instances where you may need to consult other doctors in addition to the primary physician providing your prenatal care. One specialist you may meet with is a geneticist or . These doctors can perform prenatal genetic testing to help you diagnose and evaluate any abnormalities or possible health complications your baby may have before they're even born. In many cases, this information can be life-saving, especially if your child has a condition that will require early intervention before or during delivery.

According to , your OB/GYN or another provider may recommend a geneticist if you or your partner has a family history of genetic disorders, you had a previous pregnancy with complications related to genetic abnormalities, or early labs and ultrasounds indicate a possible issue.

Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists

If your pregnancy is considered high risk for any number of reasons, you may also need a maternal-fetal specialist (MFM), or perinatologist, on your prenatal care team. According to , these specialists complete their primary medical training as an OB/GYN, but then add an additional three years of focused education and practice in high-risk pregnancies.

While the reasoning for needing a maternal-fetal specialist varies, you may need one if you already live with a complex condition like heart disease, an autoimmune disorder, or infections like HIV. Additionally, you may need to consult with a perinatologist if you're carrying multiples like twins or triplets. Regardless, this specialist will work alongside your other doctors and make sure your pregnancy and delivery go smoothly for everyone.

Pregnancy can be exciting, but there's also a lot of medical care to navigate. However, you can consult these doctors and get the best possible care so you and your baby remain healthy through delivery day.

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