Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Obstetrics and Gynecology: Understanding the Distinctions

admin Jul 13, 2024

Introduction

Medical terms can be closely linked and sound similar, but they are not always. If you are curious or have always thought Gynaecology and Obstetrics were the same specialties, you’re not alone. Gynaecology and obstetrics are closely related specialties in the OB/GYN domain. Many individuals utilise the terms interchangeably or refer to their doctor as their OB/GYN, which stands for obstetrics and gynaecology. In this blog, we will delve into the difference between Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Obstetrics

When it comes to obstetrics, portion of the OBGYN spectrum, it is the domain of medicine consisting of the care that is imparted towards a pregnant woman and her unborn baby. Besides, it also deals with labour along with delivery processes where it is ensured that mother and child get the excellent care post-delivery and potent complications are warded off. An individual specialized in this domain is referred to as obstetrician/simply OBGYN who can take care of females during and post pregnancy, while handling few critical situations, for instance:

Ectopic pregnancy
Foetal distress
Placenta problems
Elevated blood pressure
Caesarean section
Episiotomy
Vaginal deliveries
Caesarean deliveries
Uterine rupture
Prolapsed cord
Haemorrhage
Miscarriage
Pre-eclampsia

A baby can be delivered vaginally/through a caesarean section, where an obstetrician is rigorously trained to take care of the female during the procedures, along with handling any change that may happen during the event of childbirth. Post the childbirth, an obstetrician also guides the mother and child towards better health to avert any further complications. Consulting the best obstetrician can aid a woman go through the entire voyage of pregnancy as well as delivery safely as they can guide them to better results. Obstetricians also provide other services as:

Fertility treatment
Diagnostic procedures for foetus
NICU care
Dealing with problems like postpartum depression

Gynaecology

Gynaecology part of the OBGYN spectrum is associated with the reproductive organs care i.e. complete reproductive health of a woman. An individual exclusively practicing in this domain is referred to as gynaecologist or simply OBGYN, who is often consulted by women at the onset of puberty and after menopause. A woman facing issues or situations pertaining to the treatments/maintenance of health of vagina, womb, ovaries, and oviducts, along with breasts can seek the best gynaecology hospital or leading gynaecologist who can take care of all. Besides, women may also wish to see their gynaecologist for a yearly checkup and pelvic exam. Along with regular checkups, a gynaecologist can:

Perform tests such as Pap along with examination of reproductive ailments
Provide treatment for infections, diseases, /any other irregularity
Perform surgical procedures such as hysterectomy, tubal ligation, myomectomy
Treat cancers of reproductive system
Furthermore, advise on problems relating to fertility and conception
Treat incontinence
Diagnose causes of amenorrhea as well as dysmenorrhea

These medical professionals can be involved for longer durations throughout a woman’s life, ranging from puberty to menopause, and beyond as well. Contraceptive counselling has great ability as a strategy to empower women who do not intend pregnancy to select a method of birth control that she can utilise correctly and consistently over time, thereby decreasing her individual risk of unintended pregnancy, woman's obstetrician and gynaecologist can help and guide her to plan as well as prevent a pregnancy.

Obstetrics and gynaecology services for health of women are given all over India to correspond to the different requirements of women’s health right from commencing of menses to delivering babies to treating any issues linked to female reproductive system. So, when it comes to females seeking a health provider during their teenage/adolescence, pregnancy and remaining reproductive life, it is better to visit the best gynaecologist nearby.

Application of AI

AI has become very prevalent in the field of diagnostic methods and could be utilised for such purposes in obstetrics and gynaecology.

For instance, in obstetrics, cardiotocography (CTG) — developed in the 1960s — is the chief means of assessing foetal health, through measurements of uterine contractions and the foetus’ heart rate in utero. Secondly, AI might be fruitfully applied is in the assessments of ultrasounds: non-invasive checkup routines for prenatal diagnosis.

In the domain of gynaecology, AI application has also been rather slow. However, in recent years, researchers have utilised AI and machine learning to develop novel means of managing certain gynaecological conditions, predicting disease progression, and navigating treatment decisions and protocols. For instance, AI has recently been employed to analyse pictures of the pelvic region as well as identify the presence of endometrial tissue, a potential signifier of endometriosis.

In a nutshell, obstetrics refers the medical specialty that focuses on care during pregnancy, labour, as well as birth. Gynaecology is defined as the domain of medicine that deals with women’s reproductive health. As one can analyse, these two specialties can overlap in focus, but they also have distinctions.

Although there are distinctions between the exact practices when it comes to obstetrics as well as gynaecology, both specifically aim on women’s health along with the well-being of women. They address a wide spectrum of health issues related to the female reproductive system, comprising menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and gynaecological conditions.