Obstetricians and gynecologists (ob-gyn) is a doctor who specializes in women’s health. If you have not seen a gynecologist, you may be anxious for the first time, but it is best to relax and take advantage of this to learn more about your body and health.
What is the difference between a gynecologist, an obstetrician, and an ob-gyn?
The obstetrician takes care of the woman during pregnancy and after the baby is born and specializes in the baby’s birth. The gynecologist deals with the most important health issues in life, such as contraception, childbirth, and menopause, screens for cancer, treats infections, and performs surgery for pelvic organs or urinary tract problems. An ob-gyn does all this together.
Why it is important to have a regular gynecological appointment
For three reasons, it is important to see a gynecologist regularly. These three reasons include:
- Information: A gynecologist can give you detailed information and confidential answers to any questions about sex, sexuality, body changes, and menstruation.
- Prevention: You can learn about contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, and a healthy lifestyle.
- Treatment: For women who experience missed periods, pain, or other reproductive problems, a gynecologist can investigate the cause of these problems and offer treatment.
What are the sub-specialties of OB-GYN?
Approximately 90% of OB-GYN doctors are generalists. This means they work in a wide range of OB-GYN services, but some prefer to specialize in specific subfields. These specialties include the following.
Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM)
These specialists care for pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies and special medical conditions. If you have any of the following, you may want to see a Maternal-fetal medicine specialist:
- Gestational diabetes
- Chronic or gestational high blood pressure
- Premature labor
- Blood-clotting disorders
Reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI)
These specialists address issues related to infertility and endocrine system hormones. You can see a reproductive specialist if you want to get pregnant but have trouble conceiving. They help reproductive techniques, such as:
- In vitro fertilization
- Embryo transfer
- Zygote intrafallopian transfer
- Gamete intrafallopian transfer
Gynecologic oncology
A gynecologic oncologist specializes in diagnosing and treating cancers of the female reproductive system. These cancers include:
- Cervix
- Ovaries
- Vulva
- Uterus
Female pelvic medicine and reproductive surgery (FPMRS)
These surgeons focus on treating women with urinary tract disorders. They also work on disorders of the muscles and connective tissue below the pelvis, called the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor may be weakened as a result of age, pregnancy, or certain medical conditions.
What to expect at your first OB-GYN visit
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends making your first appointment with a gynecologist between the ages of 13 and 15, or at least when you first start having sex.
The first visit for teens may only involve consultation with a physician and not an internal examination. The appointment usually begins with a general health examination. Your doctor will take your blood pressure and weigh you. In some cases, urine and blood tests may also be done.
The Ob-Gyn doctor will take you to the examination room, ask you to remove your clothes, and probably ask you a few questions about your personal and family medical history. A nurse or other specialist may be in the room with the gynecologists to examine the pelvis.
In the first stage, the doctor examines the outside of the vagina for abnormal symptoms, then examines the genitals from the inside. Using a speculum to keep the vagina open while you have bent your knee and your feet are on the stirrup to keep it fully open, you may feel some pressure during the examination, but it is usually not painful.
Pap smears are often performed during a pelvic exam. If you have sex, your gynecologists may recommend testing for sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV. A breast exam also checks for any bumps or abnormal symptoms.
Things to know before your first gyno exam
There comes a time in every woman’s life when she has to see a gynecologist. This is an essential part of maintaining a healthy woman. But the first gyno test seems completely alien and even scary. The best preparation for it is to stay calm and have information. The following tips will help you be more prepared.
Know why you set up an appointment
The College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that girls be seen annually by OB-GYN. You may have certain issues to discuss with your doctor at your first appointment, such as menstrual problems, pregnancy control options, and testing for sexually transmitted infections, so be sure to talk about your issues.
If you are under 21, you probably do not need a pelvic exam
Many girls do not see a gynecologist for fear of a vaginal examination. Keep in mind that girls under the age of 21 are usually not examined unless there is a specific problem.
Don’t worry about how you look
Remember that your doctor does not judge every aspect of your body. Their purpose is to evaluate yours medically.
Be prepared to talk about your sexuality and menstruation
Know your menstrual history; you should also report any pain, cramps, heavy bleeding, irregularities, or mood swings that come with your period. Your doctor will talk to you about sexual activity and possible problems. Answer the questions quite honestly. Be sure everything stays confidential.
Find out about your family and personal medical history
Your gynecologists will ask you about medical conditions, medications used, and previous surgeries; they may be difficult to remember, so it is best to write them down before seeing your gynecologists. Also, have enough information about your family’s medical history.
Obstetrician job description
Obstetricians and gynecologists (ob-gyn) deal with the health of women. Obstetricians are specialists qualifications in delivering babies and providing medical services to women during pregnancy (prenatal care) and postnatal care (postpartum care). The obstetrician has the skills to manage complex or high-risk pregnancies and deliveries.
Obstetricians work with midwives to monitor and assist women in natural childbirth. They facilitate the delivery process by performing procedures such as episiotomies, which involve making strategic incisions in the pregnant mother’s perineum to enlarge the birth canal. Also, in cases where normal delivery is not possible for the mother, they will give birth to a baby by performing a cesarean section.
What is emergency obstetrics care?
Emergency obstetrics care is critical to reducing maternal and infant mortality. During pregnancy, birth and labor may occur in emergency obstetrics.
Emergency obstetrics care during pregnancy
Obstetric emergencies may occur during pregnancy, including:
- Miscarriage: When you lose a baby before the 20th week of pregnancy. The mother may need treatment for infection or to remove the remaining tissue.
- Ectopic pregnancy: when the fertilized egg is implanted within a fallopian tube. Pregnancy cannot continue and needs immediate treatment.
- Placental abruption: When the placenta separates from the uterus before birth, it causes pain, bleeding, and contraction.
- Placenta praevia: When the placenta attaches to the lower part of the uterus and blocks the cervix. As a result, the mother may experience vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.
- Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia: hypertension in pregnancy causes severe swelling due to water retention. This can lead to liver failure and kidney. It can be fatal for both mother and baby if it progresses to eclampsia.
- Premature rupture of membranes: The amniotic fluid sac breaks before contractions or labor begins. This is an emergency if the amniotic sac breaks before 37 weeks of gestation and leads to amniotic fluid leakage or infection.
Obstetric emergencies during labor
Emergencies that may occur during pregnancy include the following:
- Shoulder dystocia: Depending on the baby’s position, the baby may lose oxygen when the baby’s shoulders get stuck in the birth canal after the baby comes out.
- Prolapsed umbilical cord: When the umbilical cord is pushed down the uterus before the baby is born. The fetus will not receive enough oxygen if the umbilical cord is compressed. In this case, it could be brain damage or even death.
- Placenta accreta: When the placenta is implanted deep in the uterus wall and does not come out after birth.
- Amniotic fluid embolism: When the fluid moves from the amniotic sac and enters the blood. This very rare complication can occur during pregnancy but usually occurs during severe labor contractions and causes serious complications, including maternal death.
What happens during an OB/GYN visit at each stage of life?
Women from adolescence to old age should see an OB-GYN. During a woman’s lifetime, she consulted Obstetricians and gynecologists (ob-gyn) on various topics, from contraception to menopause.
The early years: Ages 15 to 21
We recommend that young women visit OB/GYN annually. Sometimes parents do not consider it necessary, and sometimes the young lady gets nervous about it. We will talk to young women at this age about contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
It is important to familiarize young women with enough knowledge needed to protect against infections and unwanted pregnancies. Gynecologists recommend that women have their first Pap smear at age 21. A Pap test is recommended for cervical cancer and HPV every three years.
The “family planning” years: Ages 22 to 44
At this stage of life, the annual test includes a breast exam, abdominal exam, and pelvic exam. Abnormalities such as lumps or painful areas are checked. Blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) are checked during the annual visit.
It also discusses the family medical history, nutrition, exercise, and weight management to help you reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes and some cancers. And for women who are planning to get pregnant, the necessary work is done.
Starting menopause: Ages 45 to 54
Women usually menopause between the ages of 50 and 52. Near menopause, women usually have heavy and irregular periods. Due to hormonal fluctuations, they experience annoying symptoms such as night sweats, mood swings, and hot flashes.
In their annual consultation with a gynecologist, women discuss all their problems in menopause, and the doctor performs the necessary treatments such as lifestyle changes, medications, and other treatments to reduce the symptoms of menopause. Also, all women at this age should be checked regularly to ensure their health.
Gynecological diseases are among the special conditions that require careful devices and tests to diagnose, and along with them, a correct diagnosis by a doctor will help the disease to be treated sooner and better.
A gynecologist diagnoses the disease using diagnostic tools and describes the treatment options according to the observed symptoms. For this reason, every woman should be in contact with a gynecologist and obstetrician throughout her life.
Dr Arjang Naim is one of the best obstetricians and gynecologists (ob-gyn) with over 19 years of experience. He is working in two ob-gyn clinics in Los Angeles. The first one is next to cedars Sinai hospital, close to Beverly Hills Second one is across from Hollywood Presbyterian and children’s hospital in Hollywood.
Additional questions
- What happens during a general physical examination?
The general examination checks height, weight, and blood pressure. You will also be examined for any health problems you may have. - What is a pelvic exam? The pelvic examination has three parts:
- Looking at the vulva
- Looking at the vagina and cervix with a speculum
- Checking the internal organs with a gloved hand
- What are four common cancer screening tests?
- Breast cancer screening
- Cervical cancer screening
- Colorectal cancer screening
- Lung cancer screening
- What is the placenta previa?Ectopic placenta means that the placenta is implanted at the end of the uterus, above the cervix, or near it; in this case, the baby cannot be born vaginally. The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and prolong pregnancy to at least 36 weeks.
- What is the most common gynecological surgery?Dilation and curettage are one of the most common gynecological surgeries.
References
https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/what-to-expect-from-an-ob-gyn-visit
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22303-obstetrician
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/the-role-of-your-obstetrician
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/288354
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/qa-what-to-expect-at-your-ob-gyn-appointment.html