Obstetrics and gynaecology are medical specialties that concentrate on two different aspects of the female reproductive system. At Nirramay Gynae clinic we provide care to women in all phases of their lives whether they are having a baby or are past menopause.
Obstetrics dealings with the responsibility of pregnant women, the unborn baby, labor and delivery, and the immediate period following childbirth. The obstetrician ensures that mother and child get the best fetal care to ensure labor and delivery is accomplished without complications and that should intervention be needed, it is done quickly and safely.
Gynaecology deals with any disease concerning the reproductive organs; uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix, ovaries, and vagina. A gynaecologist may also treat related problems in the bowel, bladder, and urinary system since these are almost related to female reproductive organs.
To be certified as an obstetrician or a gynecologist requires a minimum of 4 years of residency training after attaining a general medical degree. The two specialties are almost related and most of these specialists provide care in both areas.
Obstetrics
Obstetrics specially deals with the welfare of the pregnant woman and her baby. During pregnancy, a number of difficulties can occur such as ectopic pregnancy, which is a condition where the embryo is in a fallopian tube, fetal distress caused by compression, difficulties with the placenta, or high blood pressure which can be a forerunner of a serious illness called pre-eclampsia.
The obstetrician is trained in these and many other difficulties of childbirth and guarantees both mother and baby are safely guided through all of the stages of pregnancy and childbirth. Whether the baby is passed vaginally or through a intended or emergency caesarian part an obstetrician is trained to handle any change that is presented during the natural, but sometimes complicated process of childbirth.
Following delivery, an obstetrician is concentrated on the health of the mother and child ensuring that both make the transition into routine daily life without the deadly complications that were commonplace a hundred years ago and unfortunately are still occurring in third world countries.
The medical specialty of obstetrics has made pregnancy and childbirth a life-changing experience to be embraced with confidence knowing that modern medicine has made the process safe and predictable.
Gynaecology
While most gynaecologist are also obstetricians, the field of gynaecology focuses on all other aspects of a woman’s reproductive health from the onset of puberty through menopause and beyond.
Women see their gyanecologist for their annual Pap test and pelvic exam. Other causes a woman would see her gynecologist are for infections or any injury or discomfort in the uterus, genitals, or breasts. Gynaecologist also assists with infertility issues and contraception.
Gyanecology diagnoses and treats diseases of the reproductive organs including cancer of the ovaries, uterus, cervix, vagina, and fallopian tubes. A gynaecologist also treats prolapse of the pelvic organs. This is a situation normally present in postmenopausal women with weakened pelvic muscles that cannot support the uterus or bladder properly.
Other diseases treated are yeast and bacterial infections, abnormal and disturbing menstruation, painful intercourse, and other diseases related to menopause which may require surgery.
Surgical procedures
Gynaecology encompasses specific surgical procedures related to female reproductive organs. The most common procedures are:
· Tubal ligation – a stable form of birth control
· Hysterectomy- extraction of the uterus
· Oophorectomy – removal of the ovaries
· Salpingectomy – removal of the fallopian tubes
· Cone biopsy -remove precancerous cells in the cervix recognized during a pap test