What Is an OB/GYN?

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What Is an OB/GYN?

• Manipal Hospital

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• Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) is a surgical
  field which is concentrated on pregnancy, labour,
  childbirth and postpartum period. The physician
  who has completed the specialized training and
  education in the field of Obstetrics and
  Gynecology is known as an obstetrician.
  Obstetrician/Gynecologist provides medical and
  surgical care to women and has expertise in
  pregnancy, childbirth, and disorders of the
  reproductive system. This includes prenatal care,
  preventative care, detection of sexually
  transmitted diseases, family planning, etc.
  Obstetrician/Gynecologist is also known as OB/GYN
  can serve as consultants to other physicians or
  can also work as a primary physician.

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They have a broad base of knowledge and can be
specialized in areas such as-

• Chronic and acute medical condition
• Adolescent gynecology
• Cancer
• Endocrinology
• Infertility
• Health maintenance during pregnancy
• Pregnancy
• Childbirth
• Urinary tract disorders

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 Obstetrics/Gynecology is divided into four
subspecialties

• 1. Fetal / Maternal medicine consultation
  and care of the patients with the complications
  of pregnancy. Knowledge of medical, obstetrics
  and surgical complications of the mother and
  fetus, diagnosis and treatment of the problem.
• 2. Gynecologic oncology the specialization
  is concerned with the consultation and
  comprehensive management of gynecologic cancer.
  Cancer diagnosis, treatment, and complication of
  oncology are treated in this specialty.
• 3. Infertility and reproductive endocrinology
  management and diagnosis of the complex
  problems of infertility and reproductive
  endocrinology disorders.
• 4. Reconstructive pelvic surgery /
  Urogynecology this is classified as surgical
  subspeciality which is concerned with the health
  of the urinary tract of female and surgery as a
  treatment. Provide the knowledge of complex
  pelvic conditions, pelvic floor dysfunction,
  reconstructive pelvic surgery and lower urinary
  disorder.

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Some of the services provided by Gynecologists
are

• Management of menstrual disorders
• Management of ovarian disease, polycystic,
  fibroids, endometriosis, etc.
• Removal of uterus
• Reversal of tubectomy
• Diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy
• Treatment and surgery of female reproductive
  system
• Screening of cervical cancer
• Management of endocrine disorders such as
  thyroid, prolactin

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• Sometimes the medical problems of a woman and
  family history can affect the unborn child, and
  sometimes fetus can have issues of their own.
• Maternal-fetal medicine specialist ensures that
  mother and fetus get the best possible treatment
  and care.
• Genetic counseling can be helpful for them who
  have some known genetic disorder, take medication
  for a disease that runs in the family or in some
  tests you get to know that your baby might have a
  congenital disability. Some tasks performed by
  maternal-fetal medicine specialists are-

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• Providing regular prenatal care to women who have
  high-risk pregnancies
• Managing existing health problems of mothers
  such as diabetes and high blood pressure
• Providing care to the women who have
  complication during pregnancy or childbirth
• Does tests such as ultrasounds to check the
  growth and development of your baby
• Check birth defects and genetic disorders
  with the help of some advanced tests such as
  amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling (CSV) or
  umbilical cord sampling
• Diagnose and manage birth defects, heart
  problems and blood disorders in developing babies
  by performing surgery if needed
• Monitor labor and handle the delivery
• Manage the health problems of the mother
  after delivery such as excessive bleeding, high
  blood pressure, and infections.