Medical Frontiers - Obstetrics And Neonatology

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Medical Frontiers discussed the topic of obstetrics and neonatology. It is a happy subject for people most of the time although sometimes there are some difficulties with delivering a baby.

Host Dr. Gerald Pifer was joined by Dr. James Duggan whose specialty is obstetrics and gynecology and Dr. Nilima T. Karamchandani who specializes in neonatal-perinatal medicine and pediatrics.

Dr. Duggan practices mainly at Forbes Regional, which is part of the Allegheny Health Network.

Dr. Duggan says they are very busy. He adds they do around 80 deliveries a month. Sometimes they don't get a lot of sleep.

"[It] keeps us up a lot of nights, bringing a lot of joy into the world," he said.

Most of the time the delivery of a baby goes well but sometimes things can get a little bit problematic.

That's were Dr. Karamchandani comes in.

Dr. Karamchandani was visiting Medical Frontiers for the first time. She says they provide the highest level of care at West Penn Hospital. She says they care for 7,800 preemies and newborns a year.

Dr. Karamchandani says she the smallest baby she has taken care of was under a pound.

The Doctors say premature babies must meet a lot of criteria to be able to go home. They should no longer need IV fluids. They should also be gaining weight and be able to eat without problem.

Listen as Doctor's Duggan and Karamchandani answer caller's questions about normal baby deliveries and what doctors can do if a premature delivery takes place.

Medical Frontiers is only NewsRadio 1020 every Monday from 7 to 8 p.m.