Obstetrics & Gynecology : Synopsis

Obstetrics

Obstetrics is the field of medical study that is concerned with childbirth, pregnancy, and postpartum period.Prenatal care is a vital element for checking out the complications that may arise in pregnancy. This includes routine  visits to the clinic . This includes check up at :-

 

• First trimester- Under this blood check up and various check ups are done to know about the presence of diseases like HIV etc.

 

• • Second trimester- Ultrasound of of abdominal  or transvaginal is done. Amniocentesis is the standard test for women above 35 or who reach 35 during pregnancy.

 

• Third trimester-  Group B streptococcus screening is done. Glucose test is also done.

Assessment of fetus

Obstetric ultrasonography is routinely done for determining the gestational age of the fetus.   Ultrasound is done in order to know the congenital anomalies.

Postnatal care

The care given following the birth is known as postnatal care.  The mother’s bleeding ,bladder and bowel function is monitored. The baby’s health is also monitored.

Gynaecology

This deals with the reproductive health of a woman.  The term literally means science of woman. In the modern times almost all gynecologists are also obstetricians.

Difference between obstetrics and gynecology

The aforesaid paragraphs clearly defines the demarcation between obstetrics and gynecology. Obstetrics is concerned only with the care of the pregnant woman and her unborn baby whereas gynecology is concerned with the overall reproductive health of the woman and takes care of the uterus, the bowels, cervix, bladder, fallopian tubes, ovaries and the vagina. This just goes on to show that obstetrics only focuses on the care of a pregnant woman and her infant, while gynecology studies the overall reproductive health right from puberty to menopause.So, it just goes on to show that almost gynecologists have the knowledge of obstetrics.  This make clear the fact that gynecology definitely is a wider term.