Obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) is a medical specialty that focuses on the care of women’s reproductive health. It encompasses both obstetrics, which involves the care of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, as well as gynecology, which involves the diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the female reproductive system throughout all stages of life.
Obstetrics mainly deals with taking care of pregnant women, unborn baby, labour, delivery as well as the immediate period following childbirth. An obstetrician guarantees that both mother and child get the best care and labour and delivery are accomplished without facing any complications.
When a woman is pregnant, many complications can arise which may require various medical procedures. These include:
- Extra Uterine Pregnancy (ECTOPIC pregnancy), a condition where the embryo is in a fallopian tube
- High-risk pregnancies including Pre-eclampsia, GDM, Gestation Hypertension
- Foetal distress caused due to compression
- Screening during pregnancy for medical conditions, high blood pressure and infections
- Early pregnancy and its complications
- Screening of foetus during pregnancy for chromosomal abnormalities and infections
- Postpartum haemorrhage and its management
- Postpartum complication including medical and psychological problems
Gynaecology
Gynaecology deals with any condition related to the reproductive organs such as the uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix, vagina, and ovaries. It is a medical field associated with the science of reproduction system and involves different phases of a woman’s life like adolescence, reproduction, menopause and even beyond that. A gynaecology hospital also treats problems related to the bowel, bladder and the urinary system.
Gynaecology comprises of the preventive care and curative aspects including:
- Preventive care such as pap smear, mammography and screening
- Problems related to adolescence such as pre-ovarian puberty, amenorrhea and more
- Infertility
- Contraception
- Menstural irregularities
- Peri-menopausal issues
- Post-menopausal conditions such prolapse, incontinence, post-menopausal bleeding
- Screening, detection and treatment of gynaecological malignancies
Usually, women see their Gynaecologist for their annual Pap test and pelvic exam. Some other reasons they see a gynaecologist are for any pain, discomfort or infection in the uterus, breasts or genitals. Furthermore, gynaecologists also provide assistance with infertility issues as well as contraception. Gynaecology is all about diagnosing and treating diseases of the reproductive system such as cancer of the fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, uterus, and vagina. A gynaecologist also helps in Pelvic organ prolapse treatment This ailment is usually present in postmenopausal females with weakened pelvic muscles that are unable to support the uterus or bladder normally.