Introduction to Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Introduction to Obstetrics and Gynaecology

• Obstetrics focuses on the care of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
• Gynaecology deals with the health of the female reproductive system, including the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the vagina, vulva, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
• These two fields often overlap, with many conditions affecting both reproductive systems.

Obstetrics: Pregnancy and Childbirth

• Prenatal Care: Includes regular checkups to monitor mother and fetal health, screening tests for potential complications, and education on healthy lifestyle choices.
• Labor and Delivery: Monitoring the progress of labor, managing complications, and providing support to the mother. Different types of deliveries, including vaginal and Cesarean sections.
• Postpartum Care: Focuses on the mother's physical and emotional well-being after childbirth, including monitoring for complications like postpartum haemorrhage and infections.
• High-risk pregnancies: Pregnancies with risk factors like pre-existing conditions, multiple pregnancies, or complications during pregnancy require specialized care.
• Fetal monitoring: Methods like ultrasound and fetal heart rate monitoring are employed to assess the well-being of the fetus and detect potential problems.
• Types of delivery: Vaginal delivery is the preferred option when possible, while Cesarean section is a surgical procedure used when vaginal delivery poses risks to mother or baby.

Gynaecology: Female Reproductive Health

• Menstrual Disorders: Addressing issues like irregular periods, painful periods (dysmenorrhea), and heavy bleeding (menorrhagia).
• Infertility: Investigating and treating factors that may contribute to infertility in women.
• Vaginal and Vulvar Health: Diagnosing and treating infections, cancers, and other conditions affecting these areas.
• Uterine Conditions: Diagnosing and managing conditions like fibroids, polyps, and uterine prolapse.
• Ovarian Health: Assessing and managing conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), ovarian cysts, and ovarian cancer.
• Menopause: Managing symptoms and providing support related to the cessation of menstruation. Includes hormonal treatments and lifestyle adjustments.
• Contraception: Discussing and providing various methods of birth control based on individual needs and preferences. This includes hormonal methods, barrier methods, and permanent methods.
• Cancer Prevention and Detection: Screening tests for cervical cancer and other conditions, education on preventative measures, and managing diagnosed cancers.
• Reproductive cancers: Diagnosis and management of cancers related to the female reproductive system such as uterine, cervical, ovarian cancer through surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy or hormone therapy

Overlapping Areas

• Pre-conception counselling: Providing advice to women considering pregnancy to optimize their health before conception.
• Continence issues: Addressing urinary incontinence in women, which can be related to pregnancy or reproductive system disorders.
• Sexual health: Discussing sexually transmitted infections, sexual dysfunction, and related concerns.
• Family planning: Discussions about family size, the number of children, and the timing of having them.