Is it better to go to an OBGYN or a gynecologist doctor? Either selection can provide the stellar health care she needs. Here are some things to think about.
Some physicians study to be an OBGYN while others prefer to be strictly a gynecologist doctor. An OBGYN is a doctor who takes care of female reproductive systems as well as delivers babies. The first two initials, OB,
stand for obstetrician, which is another name for an infant delivery specialist. There are pros and cons for each classification of practitioner. Here are some things to think about regarding each category:
OBGYN
This specialist has studied all arenas of the female reproductive system, including the childbirth process. This is helpful if a woman plans to have children soon or in the future.
Services this doc may offer include prenatal care, monitoring the health of both mom-to-be and developing infant, ultrasound, utilizing equipment to hear the heartbeat, dispensing prenatal vitamins to keep mom healthy and offering breastfeeding advice through appointments with lactation specialists. These doctors also offer the traditional female exams such as pap tests, breast exams and birth control methodology.
Natural childbirth classes may be offered through this practitioner’s office or if not, there will likely be information available via brochures and posters in the office of where to sign up.
Other pregnant moms will likely be sitting in the waiting room so it’s a good place to strike up friendships for those in a similar phase of life.
Maternity exercise class information may be available through this physician’s office because keeping fit is still important, with modifications for the pregnant physique. Mothers-to-be are weighed on a regular basis in order to assure that they are staying within a healthy weight range.
There will likely be a team of doctors within one practice rather than just one so that each doctor may take a turn being on call for mommies going into labor. Getting to know each practitioner during the course of the prenatal care will allow everyone to become well acquainted before the big day.
Gynecologist Doctor
This health care provider has chosen to focus purely on the female reproductive system rather than delivering infants. If a patient becomes pregnant, she will be referred to an obstetrician for the pregnancy and birthing process.
The gynecologist doctor may be a single practitioner rather than one of a team. There will be other physicians on call in case of an emergency, but the intricate network of providers will not be necessary as in the case the OB who works all hours delivering newborns.
If a woman prefers to see the same doctor consistently, a “gynecologist only” will be less likely to be called away to the hospital delivery room than his or her obstetric counterpart.
For a woman past childbearing age or one that definitely does not want children, this may be a preferred choice.
Services this health care practitioner provides include pap tests, breast exams to screen for cancer, infertility help, birth control advice and more.
Whether a woman chooses a traditional gynecologist doctor for her most intimate health care provider or an OBGYN is an individual choice.
