Both gynecologist and an obstetrician are associated to
women’s health care. Most of us must have heard the terms obstetrics (OB) and
gynecology (GYN), but many of us fail to understand their difference. However,
it is important to understand the about each of these specialties so that you
can easily find the right type of doctors for
your health concerns.
A gynecologist is a medical
specialist providing diagnosis and treatment for conditions of the female
reproductive organ while an obstetrician is concerned
with a women’s pregnancy, childbirth,
and the postpartum period. An obstetrician is also concerned with the health of
the fetus; all the modern Gynecologists are also Obstetricians.
Read on the below mentioned points to understand the
difference between gynecologist and obstetrician.
Gynecologist
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Obstetrician
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A gynecologist
is a medical practitioner who specializes in the medical care of women and
their reproductive system (vagina, ovaries, and uterus).
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An obstetrician
is a medical practitioner who specializes in the surgical care of women and
their children during pregnancy, childbirth, and post-natal care.
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The gynecologist
who will test for pregnancy and then if confirmed will send the woman to the
obstetrician
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Obstetricians
will then take care of pre-natal care, conduct various tests and perform the
delivery.
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Specializes
in mammograms, pap smear, uterine/ vaginal infections, contraception, fertility
issues, hysterectomies and tubal ligations.
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Specializes
in Pregnancy, post-natal/post-partum care and delivery. Performs regular
ultrasounds usually in the first trimester, at 12th week and 20th week of
pregnancy to determine healthy of the fetus, identify any complications and
determine gestational period
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Education
– both are trained together
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Education
– both are trained together
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Typical
surgical procedures performed are - hysterectomy, oophorectomy, tubal
ligation, laparoscopy, laprotomy, cystoscopy.
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Typical
surgical procedures performed are - Vaginal and Cesarean deliveries,
episiotomy.
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Gynecologists
will treat infections and other disease as well as help with infertility
problems. They also treat cancer of the reproductive system, including the
ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus.
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Obstetricians
do not treat diseases; they only treat health issues related to pregnancy and
women who want no future pregnancies.
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While 90%
of gynecologists also deliver babies
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While
obstetricians, limit their practice to pregnancy and childbirth.
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