From the first moments you learn that you’re expecting a baby, the
decision-making begins. From when to share the news (and with whom), to
whether or not to learn the baby’s gender, to selecting the baby’s
name, and deciding whether to have an epidural….there are many
decisions to be made.
One of the first and most important decisions you’ll make is about
prenatal care and the delivery of your baby. Finding the right doctor
for care during your pregnancy and to eventually deliver your baby is
a big decision. Your doctor plays a key role throughout the pregnancy,
so it’s important that you consider your options and what best fits
you and your family for this experience, and beyond.
Family Physicians with Obstetrics Offer Comprehensive Care
At CBHA, we proudly offer the services of several highly trained and dedicated
Family Physicians who provide Obstetric Care. These Family Physicians
with Obstetrics (FPOBs) are primary care doctors who deliver babies, but
also treat a broad variety of health conditions, from earaches in infants
to congestive heart failure in older adults.
In addition to medical school, family physicians usually have three years
of intensive training. Some choose to emphasize obstetrics and undergo
additional training. All of CBHA’s FPOBs are board-certified, highly
trained, and well-qualified to medically oversee a pregnancy. They also
genuinely enjoy taking good care of both mother and baby.
Many families appreciate that their family physician provides prenatal
care and delivery because of the continuity of care. FPOBs are already
familiar with your medical history, and have likely treated you before
your pregnancy. Importantly, an FPOB can continue to treat both the mother
-- and baby -- after the birth.
Dr. Matthew STANTSPAINTER
Dr. StantsPainter, DO, estimates that he has delivered several hundred
babies since completing his residency over ten years ago. He believes
his osteopathic training blends in well with his obstetric practice and
has given him the skills to provide safe deliveries for a wide number
of patients. “Caring for the whole patient and recognizing the role
of a condition like pregnancy in a patient’s life is central to
the philosophy of osteopathy which is that every function of the body
is connected to another.”
He has found that caring for the whole family leads to a richer relationship
with each family member and the family as a whole. He feels privileged
to be present at the significant milestones in their lives, from the delivery
of the first child through the later stages in life.
Dr. StantsPainter divides his time between CBHA clinics in Othello and
Connell. “It is exciting to me that we are now offering obstetrics
in Connell as well as in our other two clinics,” Dr. StantsPainter
said. “It has been well received by the patients and community.”
Dr. Francisco Prada
Like his peers, Dr. Prada intentionally chose to be a FPOB, a match for
the type of medicine he wanted to practice. “I went into family
medicine specifically so that I could use a whole family approach –
see mom, dad, the kids, deliver the babies, and provide continuing care
for the whole family.”
Dr. Prada is fluent in both Spanish and English. Dr. Prada believes that
providers gain valuable information when the same physician is involved
both before and after the birth. By being involved in pre-natal care,
delivery, and ongoing pediatric care and healthy visits for mom, Dr. Prada
and other FPOBs eliminate the hand-offs in health information that might
otherwise break down between several professionals.
“Instead of separating patient care into silos, in my mind, the stages
of pregnancy and aftercare are seen as one, especially from those first
few days in the hospital, to when I first see patients in the clinic.
From the beginning of the pregnancy to after the birth.”
“When a baby is born, I have an advantage when it comes to the care
of the child, because I know what the pregnancy was like. This is one
of the great advantages of family medicine, and for me, it’s also
the most gratifying part of family medicine. Bringing a new life into
the world, and then continuing to watch them grow.”
Originally from Colombia, Dr. Prada’s interest in obstetrics started
early in his career, when he came to the United States. “Because
I had a much greater interest in obstetrics than other residents, I did
many more deliveries during my residency. I also completed electives in
OB so I could learn more, which enables me to better perform non-complicated
obstetrics and managing routine pregnancies.”
Being a part of raising healthy, happy families brings a great deal of
satisfaction to CBHA’s FPOBs. “It's a super exciting time
for multiple reasons. And, from a strictly biological point of view, I
find it fascinating how these two little cells grow into this human being.
You’re witnessing a miracle that this being is even coming to life
– and, well, it’s just amazing. That’s why I love it!”
says Dr. Prada.
Dr. Syed Gillani
Dr. Gillani, DO, echoes Dr. StantsPainter’s sentiments regarding
osteopathy. A DO himself, Dr. Gillani’s philosophy is a holistic
approach that recognizes the amazing power of the human body, which is
key to both obstetrics and osteopathy.
“My special interest is osteopathic manipulation in obstetrics. And,
I like to tell my patients that I’m a one-stop shop,” says
Dr. Gillani. “My favorite part of my OB practice is being able to
use my osteopathic experience and family medicine, as well as obstetrics,
to bring health and happiness to families. I make sure that not only mother
and baby are healthy but the entire family as well.”
Dr. Gillani completed an obstetrics fellowship in Tacoma, and finds delivering
babies to be one of the greatest joys in medicine. In Othello alone over
the last few months, he has delivered dozens of babies.
Dr. Gillani says he loves women’s health because a woman is an integral
part of the family. “She’s really a pivotal part that coordinates
everything – and healthy women generate a healthier society. So
it’s important that she needs to be healthy. Educating women how
best to care for themselves and their families is to me the beauty of
family medicine.”
Dr. Alaa Atfeh
Dr. Alaa Atfeh has been treating patients at CBHA clinics for about five
years. One of his goals when he began treating patients at CBHA was to
develop lasting relationships as a family physician who also provides
obstetrics care. He has achieved this goal; he has gotten to know the
families he takes care of and finds a special joy every time he delivers a baby.
Dr. Atfeh welcomed a new baby to his family this past May, and is keenly
aware of the role he plays when working with expecting parents. “It’s
an honor to be present when a new life enters the world. There’s
nothing quite like it. And, I know from personal experience as a new father
that the physicians and staff who are part of that day make a deep and
lasting impression on the family. It’s a responsibility I don’t
take lightly.”
From Delivery Room to Pediatric Care
CBHA family physicians can care for you throughout your pregnancy and delivery,
including caring for your newborn in the hospital. CBHA’s FPOBs
also work collaboratively with the hospital childbirth team and have access
to all the technology and capabilities offered by the hospital.
After your baby’s birth, the same doctor can continue to care for
you, your new baby and other family members, serving as a single care
provider for your whole family.
This continuity of care means you’ll have a physician who is familiar
with your total health picture and knows you and your family as people,
not just patients. It also offers the convenience of allowing both you
and your baby to be seen together by one physician for post-natal and
newborn care.