Gynecologists and obstetrics are among the most visited fields of medicine. As per the statistics, over 70,000 gynecologists and obstetricians are practicing in India. Such a large number of healthcare professionals in the field are due to their constant requirements.
While the two disciplines are distinct, they both deal with female reproductive health. However, many people don’t know the difference between a gynecologist vs obstetrician and often mistake them for the same.
The article below aims to explain the difference between a gynecologist and an obstetrician and when you should visit them.
Table Of Contents
4. Takeaway
1. Who Is An Obstetrician?
An obstetrician is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of pregnancy-related matters. These doctors receive special training in pre and post-pregnancy healthcare, the gestation period, which is the time between the conception and the birth of the baby, labor, childbirth, and other major or minor related surgeries. Some obstetricians also receive advanced training in maternal-fetal medicine to learn and experience in dealing with complicated pregnancies.
An obstetrician helps you deal with issues in conception and during pregnancy. They perform proper tests, prescribe an appropriate diet, diagnose the baby’s development, and guide you to have a healthy pregnancy. During childbirth, they can induce labor, carry out normal childbirth, or perform a cesarean-section delivery as needed.
Some of the diagnoses and tests performed by an obstetrician include:
- Blood tests to diagnose gestational diabetes, etc
- Urinalysis
- Complete blood count
- Routine ultrasounds
- Measurement of the size and monitoring of the proper growth and position of the baby
- Prescribe a personalized diet and exercise plan
- Assist in dealing with back pain, leg pain, heartburn, and morning sickness
- Pap smear test to diagnose cervical cancer
- Quad screening to detect any congenital disabilities
- Screening for sexually transmitted infections
To prevent or deal with any complications during the pregnancy or to make the gestation period easier for the mother, an obstetrician can perform the following procedures:
- Cervical Cerclage: This surgery involves suturing in case of a short or weak cervix to prevent a premature birth
- Termination Of Ectopic Pregnancy: Such pregnancies need to be terminated as the fetus is implanted outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube; here, the fetus is unable to survive and can also cause maternal organ damage
- Dilation And Curettage (D&C): This involves removing tissue and masses from the uterus after a miscarriage or abortion
- Pre-eclampsia: It is a complication that arises in some cases after about 20 weeks of pregnancy, featuring high blood pressure, swelling, headache, protein in the urine, and blurred vision
- Cesarean Section: If the baby is not positioned properly or the mother can’t deliver the baby naturally, an obstetrician can perform a c-section delivery
- Episiotomy: It involves making an incision in the perineum, the tissue between the vagina and the anus, during normal childbirth
You can visit an obstetrician if you’re having issues with conception or have missed your periods for over 2 months. After the delivery, it is advised to meet the obstetrician for 7 to 8 weeks for proper postnatal care and recovery.
2. Who Is A Gynaecologist?
The major gynecologist and obstetrician difference is that a gynecologist is a doctor who specializes in female reproductive health, not just pregnancy. Another gynecologist vs obstetrics factor is that you can visit a gynecologist ever since you start having your periods and until after your menopause. They specialize in the knowledge of the complications and treatments related to numerous conditions of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and breasts.
The main services of a gynecologist include:
- Regular checkups
- Advising about the hygienic and proper care of the breasts and the vulva
- Diagnosing and treating any period-related concern
- Dealing with pregnancy issues
- Helping you get through menopause
- Diagnosing abnormal vaginal discharge
- Consulting about and prescribing contraceptives
- Ovarian Cysts: The gynecologist might provide you with medications or perform surgery if needed
- Fibroids: These are non-cancerous cellular masses that can be removed by surgery
- Infertility: A gynecologist also assists in dealing with infertility issues
- Pelvic Examination: This involves the physical examination of the vulvar and vaginal region by the gynecologist
- Pelvic Pain: It can be caused due to menstrual issues, inflammation, or other reasons; a gynecologist can diagnose the cause and provide proper treatment
- Breast Lumps: If you spot a breast lump, you should visit a gynecologist to get it diagnosed and treated
- Cancer Screening: A gynecologist can perform a diagnosis for any cancerous growth in the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tube, or breasts
- Pap Smear Test: This test is performed to diagnose cervical cancer
- Medical Termination Of Pregnancy: Under proper government regulations, a gynecologist can perform an abortion in case of any complication in the pregnancy
- STIs: It involves screening for any sexually transmitted diseases
- Vulvar And Vaginal Ulcers: These are sores on the vulva and vagina, usually caused by STDs; a gynecologist can prescribe the proper medications for treatment
- Laparoscopy: It is a minimally invasive surgery performed by inserting a fiber-optic instrument into the body through an incision in the abdomen
- PCOS And PCOD Treatment: A gynecologist assists in the management of polycystic ovarian syndrome and polycystic ovarian disorder, both being menstrual disorders featured by irregular periods and intense cramps
A gynecologist can also perform several diagnostic tests and treatment procedures, including major and minor surgeries. Some of the cases they deal with include:
Despite the differences between gynaecologists and obstetrics, they share many common diagnoses and treatments. However, in case of pregnancy-related matters, you should visit an obstetrician, while for other female reproductive health-related issues, visiting a gynecologist would serve you best.
3. Who Is An Ob-Gyn?
Now that you know what is the difference between a gynaecologist and an obstetrician, let’s discuss an overlapping specialization.
The term Ob-Gyn stands for obstetrician-gynecologist. Knowing the gynecologist and obstetrician differences, you can combine the two interrelated fields to determine what an ob-gyn does.
An ob-gyn doctor specializes in the field of both gynecology and obstetrics. They deal with all the issues and cases related to female reproductive health, pre and post-pregnancy care, pregnancy, and childbirth.
You can visit an ob-gyn for pregnancy advice and care as well as for tests and treatments for ovarian cysts, breast lumps, fibroids, hysterectomy, pap smear tests, STI testing, and pelvic examination, normal or c-section childbirth, and ultrasounds. An ob-gyn also carries out fertility treatments, in-vitro fertilization (IVF), and egg freezing. They provide consultation, diagnosis, and treatment services.
4. Takeaway
At Mulberry Women Care, we deal with all your problems with great care and expertise. Our gynecologist and obstetrics specialist, Dr. Ravjyot Kaur, is proficient in her knowledge of the field and possesses unmatched expertise in providing diagnoses, interpreting the results, and assisting treatment accordingly. Abreast with all the new trends, Dr. Ravjyot Kaur always assists her patients with the best possible approach to the treatment and care for all their issues.
Mulberry Women Care is embedded with the latest hi-tech imaging instrumentations, ensuring accurate and high-quality imaging. We always consider the comfort and well-being of our patients and make sure to provide them with a clean and friendly environment for their diagnosis and treatment.