Always There: OB Laborists Offer 24/7 Care, Peace Of Mind

An OB laborist is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN) who works exclusively within the hospital's labor and delivery setting. They do not maintain a separate clinical practice, focusing solely on providing specialized care to women during labor, delivery, and related emergencies.

More and more hospitals are hiring OB laborists to provide the highest level of safety during labor and delivery. At Franciscan Health Family Birth Center Crown Point, that’s nothing new. We hired our first OB laborist in 2014.

Key Takeaways: OB Laborists

• The presence of OB laborists, in conjunction with other OBGYNs, ensures 24/7, on-site physician coverage for labor and delivery. This is critical because, in an emergency, a physician can immediately come to the bedside, which can save precious minutes—and lives—compared to waiting for a doctor to travel from home or a clinic.
• Franciscan Health has been utilizing an OB laborist program for over a decade, hiring their first laborist in Crown Point 2014. The program has since expanded to other hospital locations, demonstrating a long-term commitment to promoting the highest level of safety for patients and staff.
• The constant physician coverage serves as a crucial "safety net," offering reassurance to all pregnant women. This high level of care also positions Franciscan Health Crown Point as a regional leader, as they manage high-risk OB patients transferred from other community hospitals.

What Is An OB Laborist?

An OB laborist is an obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN) who cares for women during labor and delivery at a hospital. These specialists only work in the labor and delivery setting. They do not see OB patients in clinics before, during or after pregnancy.           

“We developed the OB laborist program to promote safety for patients, staff and providers,” said Nicole Cataldi, DO, an OBGYN with Franciscan Physician Network Crown Point. “Initially, we hired one laborist to cover weekends and nights. Now, we have three on our staff.”

The OB laborists at Franciscan Health Family Birth Center Crown Point are board-certified OBGYNs who previously worked in private practice. Eight other physicians, including Dr. Cataldi, cover shifts at the Family Birth Center (about once a week). They are OBGYNs whose “main job” is to provide complete obstetric and gynecologic care at Franciscan Physician Network Crown Point. Between these OBGYNs and the OB laborists, the Family Birth Center has 24/7 physician coverage.

This level of coverage is critical in an emergency. Minutes can mean the difference between life and death. For example, if fetal monitoring reveals a baby is not getting enough oxygen, a physician can come to the bedside immediately. Without a physician on-site, it may take 30-60 minutes for one to travel to the hospital from home or the clinic.

A “Safety Net” That Not All Hospitals Have

Dr. Cataldi noted that many pregnant women assume their birth hospital has 24/7 physician coverage. But that isn’t always the case.

“When patients come to Franciscan Physician Network Crown Point for a preconception or prenatal appointment, one of the first things we talk about is the hospital’s 24/7 labor and delivery coverage,” said Dr. Cataldi, OB laborist program director at Franciscan Health Crown Point.

“It’s reassuring for them to know that a physician is on-site to provide a high level of care, whether they come in with a concern before or during labor,” she added. “Ultimately, it’s for their safety and their baby’s safety.”

The Family Birth Center also offers a “triage service” for women who experience pain or other symptoms early in their pregnancy. OB laborists and OBGYNs assess these patients and provide care as needed.

Dr. Cataldi says the two groups of physicians work very well together. They share information through phone calls and the electronic health system. They trust one another and maintain open communication, which is vital in emergencies.

“If a woman or baby is in distress in labor, we may need to switch from a vaginal birth to an emergency C-section,” she explained. “OB laborists don’t do surgery. But they help prepare the operating room and assist the OBGYN.”

Do You Need An Obstetrician/Gynecologist?

If you are pregnant or hope to be pregnant soon, an OBGYN at Franciscan can guide you every step of the way. Connect with Franciscan Health to schedule an appointment, get a second opinion or learn more about your treatment and surgery options. Call (877) 285-6180 or make an appointment online.