Obstetrics vs Gynecology: What’s the Difference?

Many women see an OB/GYN provider for their women’s health needs, including pregnancy and menopause management, but did you know that OB/GYN actually encompasses two different medical specialties? Obstetrics and gynecology.

Here’s a look differences between the two.

Obstetrics

An obstetrician is a doctor who specializes in the care of a pregnant woman and her unborn baby. These specialists are trained to handle a variety of potential complications or situations that may occur during pregnancy and the birthing process, including:

Ectopic pregnancy: a pregnancy in which the fetus grows outside of the uterus
Fetal distress: signs before and during childbirth that may signal the fetus may not be doing well
Placenta issues
High blood pressure: often a precursor to pre-eclampsia, a potentially serious condition
Cesarean section

An obstetrician is also able to guide a mother safely through the entire experience from conception to delivery to the postpartum period. Other services offered by obstetricians include:

Fertility treatment
Fetal diagnostic procedures
NICU care (this may also be handled by a pediatrician)

Gynecology

Gynecologists focus on the non-pregnancy aspects of a woman’s reproductive health. Women often begin seeing a gynecologist when they become sexually active or at the onset of puberty if needed. Women visit their gynecologist through menopause and beyond.

Regular gynecological exams are important for a woman’s health. Gynecologists perform standard examinations, such as Pap tests and pelvic exams. They may also be seen for diagnosis and/or treatment of a variety of conditions, including:

Cancer of the ovaries, uterus, cervix, vagina or fallopian tubes
Prolapse: a condition in which the pelvic organs slip forward or downward within the body, often after menopause in women
Yeast or bacterial infections
Painful intercourse
Irregular menstruation or pain during menstruation.
Other menopause-related diseases
Endometriosis: a painful condition in which uterine tissue grows outside the uterus
Cervical and vaginal polyps
Fibroids: compact tumors that develop in the uterus
Ovarian cysts

In addition, a gynecologist can perform surgical procedures on reproductive organs. Some of the most common procedures include:

Hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus
Oophorectomy: Removal of the ovaries
Salpingectomy: Removal of the fallopian tubes
Tubal ligation: Permanent birth control surgery
Cone biopsy: Removal of precancerous cells from the cervix after a Pap test
Labiaplasty: Surgical reshaping of external genitalia

Many practices choose to combine the obstetrician and gynecologist specialties to provide more comprehensive women’s care.

Obstetricians/gynecologists at Revere Health OB/GYN provide a full range of healthcare services to women throughout all stages of their lives including; puberty, child-bearing years, menopause.

Sources:

“What is the Difference Between Obstetrics and Gynecology?” Virginia Beach Obstetrics & Gynecology. http://www.virginiabeachobgyn.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-obstetrics-and-gynecology/

“What is the Difference Between Obstetrics and Gynecology?” Surgical Gynecology Center of Excellence.

http://gynecologysurgerymd.com/difference-obstetrics-gynecology