Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)

• Obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) is the medical specialty that encompasses two distinct but related fields

Obstetrics

• Obstetrics focuses on the care of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period
• Involves managing pregnancy, labor, and delivery
• Includes prenatal care, which involves regular check-ups and screenings to monitor the health of both the mother and the fetus
• Management of complications during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and ectopic pregnancy
• Assistance during labor and delivery, including vaginal delivery and cesarean sections
• Care for the mother and newborn immediately after childbirth

Gynecology

• Gynecology deals with the health of the female reproductive system
• Includes the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina, and vulva
• Management of menstruation and menopause
• Treatment of infections, such as yeast infections and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Screening for and treatment of gynecologic cancers, such as cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancer

Menstrual Disorders

• Menstrual disorders are irregularities or abnormalities in a woman's menstrual cycle
• Can manifest in various forms, including changes in frequency, duration, or intensity of menstrual bleeding

Amenorrhea

• Absence of menstruation
• Primary amenorrhea is when a girl does not start menstruating by age 15
• Secondary amenorrhea is when a woman who previously had regular periods stops menstruating for three months or longer

Dysmenorrhea

• Painful menstruation
• Primary dysmenorrhea is common menstrual cramps that start around the time menstruation begins
• Secondary dysmenorrhea results from a disorder in the reproductive organs

Menorrhagia

• Abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
• Can lead to anemia and disrupt daily life

Oligomenorrhea

• Infrequent menstruation
• Cycles occur at intervals greater than 35 days

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

• A combination of physical and emotional symptoms that occur in the week or two before menstruation
• Symptoms include mood swings, irritability, bloating, and breast tenderness

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

• A hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age
• Can cause irregular periods, excess androgen, and polycystic ovaries

High-Risk Pregnancies

• High-risk pregnancies involve factors that can threaten the health or life of the mother or fetus
• These pregnancies require specialized care and monitoring

Maternal Age

• Women who are younger than 17 or older than 35 when pregnant are at higher risk for complications

Pre-existing Medical Conditions

• Conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders can complicate pregnancy

Multiple Gestation

• Carrying twins, triplets, or more increases the risk of preterm labor, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia

Preeclampsia and Eclampsia

• Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific condition characterized by high blood pressure and signs of organ damage
• Eclampsia is the occurrence of seizures in a woman with preeclampsia

Gestational Diabetes

• Diabetes that develops during pregnancy
• Can lead to macrosomia (large birth weight) and other complications

Placenta Previa and Placental Abruption

• Placenta previa is when the placenta covers the cervix
• Placental abruption is when the placenta separates from the uterine wall prematurely

Preterm Labor and Birth

• Labor that begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy

Gynecological Surgeries

• Gynecological surgeries encompass a range of procedures performed on the female reproductive system

Hysterectomy

• Surgical removal of the uterus
• Can be partial (removing only the uterus) or total (removing the uterus and cervix)
• Radical hysterectomy involves removing the uterus, cervix, part of the vagina, and nearby lymph nodes

Oophorectomy

• Surgical removal of one or both ovaries
• Often performed to treat ovarian cysts, tumors, or as part of cancer treatment

Salpingectomy

• Surgical removal of one or both fallopian tubes
• Can be performed to treat ectopic pregnancies or reduce the risk of ovarian cancer

Myomectomy

• Surgical removal of fibroids from the uterus
• An alternative to hysterectomy for women who want to preserve fertility

Laparoscopy

• Minimally invasive surgical technique using a small incision and a camera to visualize the pelvic organs
• Can be used for diagnosis and treatment of various gynecological conditions

Hysteroscopy

• Procedure in which a hysteroscope is inserted through the vagina and cervix into the uterus
• Allows visualization of the uterine lining and can be used for diagnosis and treatment

Reproductive Health

• Reproductive health encompasses the well-being of the reproductive system throughout all stages of life
• Includes the ability to have a satisfying and safe sex life, the capability to reproduce, and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so

Family Planning

• Includes contraception, infertility treatment, and education about reproductive choices

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

• Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV

Infertility

• Evaluation and treatment of infertility, including assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like in vitro fertilization (IVF)

Menopause Management

• Management of symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and osteoporosis

Gynecological Cancers

• Screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cancers of the cervix, ovaries, uterus, vagina, and vulva

Prenatal Care

• Prenatal care is the healthcare provided to women during pregnancy
• Aims to ensure the best possible health outcomes for both the mother and the fetus
• Includes regular check-ups, screenings, and education

Initial Prenatal Visit

• Comprehensive medical history
• Physical examination
• Screening tests (blood and urine tests)
• Estimation of due date

Subsequent Prenatal Visits

• Monitoring of blood pressure and weight
• Urine testing for protein and glucose
• Measurement of fundal height (to assess fetal growth)
• Fetal heart rate monitoring

Screening and Diagnostic Tests

• Ultrasound to confirm pregnancy, assess fetal development, and screen for abnormalities
• Genetic screening (e.g., nuchal translucency, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling) to assess the risk of chromosomal abnormalities
• Gestational diabetes screening
• Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening

Education and Counseling

• Nutrition and exercise recommendations
• Information about labor and delivery
• Breastfeeding education
• Information on potential complications and warning signs