OBGYN – The Procedures They Perform

An OBGYN is a doctor who specializes in female reproductive organs. Obstetrics is a surgical specialty that deals with the organs during pregnancy. Gynecology is a surgical specialty dealing with the organs in the non-pregnant state. This type of doctor is trained to care for both pregnant and non-pregnant women through the combined knowledge of these two specialties. Becoming an OBGYN requires several years of education and training, including four years of residency after obtaining a medical degree. All gynecologists receive education in obstetrics, but an obstetrician may not be trained in gynecology. Most doctors in this field operate general practices, but some may choose to receive additional training in a subspecialty.

Subspecialty programs are called fellowships, and they involve clinical, operational, and research training. Depending on the specific subspecialty, training can last between one and four years. Maternal-fetal medicine is one type of subspecialty that focuses on high-risk pregnancies and surgery on the fetus. Gynecological oncology centers on treatment of women who have cancer in the reproductive organs. Another subspecialty is reproductive endocrinology and infertility, which deals with the biological causes and treatment of infertility. Urogynecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery concentrates on treating women with urinary incontinence and prolapse of the pelvic organs. Other subspecialties include family planning and menopausal gynecology, but these are considered informal concentrations. Not all subspecialties are recognized by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

An OBGYN can perform many different procedures, for both pregnant and non-pregnant patients. Obstetrical procedures are those that are performed during pregnancy. One of the most common and standard parts of prenatal care is the ultrasound. Ultrasounds are performed throughout a women’s pregnancy because they provide a variety of information about both the mother’s health and the health of the fetus. The first ultrasound during a pregnancy can help the doctor determine how far along the patient is and estimate the baby’s due date. Ultrasounds may be performed in an OBGYN’s office by an ultrasound sonographer. Toward the end of a pregnancy, another procedure called a contraction stress test may be performed. This test induces contractions in order to monitor the fetus, check for heart rate abnormalities, and see how it will cope during childbirth.

There are also many gynecological procedures that a doctor may perform. One of the most common procedures is dilation and curettage. Dilation is done to enlarge the entrance of the patient’s uterus, and curettage is performed to scrape the lining of the uterus for tissue samples. This procedure is used in the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding. The samples are viewed under a microscope to check for abnormal cells.

Another common gynecological operation is a hysterectomy. This procedure is a surgery to remove a portion of, or the entire uterus, typically for a woman of child-bearing age. There are many possible reasons that a hysterectomy may be performed, including chronic pelvic pain, cancer, and abnormal uterine bleeding.

An OBGYN is a highly trained and highly skilled doctor, capable of handling all of the care that a woman might need with her reproductive organs. This type of doctor must be someone that the patient feels she can trust and confide in.