Who is an OB-GYN?
An OB-GYN, also known as an obstetrician-gynecologist, is a medical professional specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. They treat conditions of the female reproductive system and care for women throughout their lives, from adolescence to menopause. An OB-GYN can provide women primary and specialized care during pregnancy and childbirth. They also offer preconception counseling and care, pregnancy care, and postpartum care.
Education and training of OB-GYNs in the U.S.
To become an OB-GYN, one must first earn a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, physics, and math courses. After this, students must complete four years of medical school as well as residency training in obstetrics and gynecology. After completing the residency, doctors must obtain a medical license from their state medical board. After medical school and residency training, some OB-GYNs pursue fellowship training in OB-GYN subspecialties. Fellowship training takes two to three years to complete.
Specialization of OB-GYNs
OB-GYNs can specialize in different fields. The most common is the general practitioner, who cares for all aspects of a woman's reproductive health. Other specializations of OB-GYNs include:
- Maternal-fetal medicine specialist: During high-risk pregnancies, maternal-fetal medicine specialists work with other healthcare team members to ensure the baby's and mother's health.
- Reproductive endocrinologists: Infertility specialists and reproductive endocrinologists treat women with problems with their hormones or reproductive organs.
- Female reconstructive surgery: The issues treated by female reconstructive surgery and pelvic medicine specialists include incontinence, prolapse, and pelvic pain.
Why are OB-GYNs important?
Women need OB-GYNs because they provide care throughout their lives. Apart from diagnosing and treating issues related to the female reproductive system, OB-GYNs can also guide family planning and reproductive health and provide preventive care.
If you have concerns about your reproductive health, schedule an appointment with an OB-GYN near you today.
What procedures and surgeries does an OB-GYN perform?
OB-GYNs can perform a variety of procedures, including:
- Pap tests: A Pap test detects cervical cancer by collecting cells from the cervix and sending them to a laboratory for analysis. OB-GYNs use a special speculum to collect the cells.
- Breast exams: An OB-GYN can perform breast exams with or without mammograms to check for lumps or other changes.
- Mammograms: Mammograms are X-rays used to detect breast cancer. OB-GYNs may refer patients for mammograms if they notice changes in the breast during an examination.
- Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds help in examining the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes and check for problems with the placenta or fetus during pregnancy using sound waves.
- Biopsies: In a biopsy, cells or tissue are removed from the body and tested under a microscope. Biopsies aid in diagnosing cancer and other diseases.
- Cervical cryosurgery: Cervical cryosurgery is a medical intervention representing an exceptionally effective gynecological approach that involves controlled freezing of a segment of the cervix. This procedure aims to eradicate precancerous cervical cells, which exhibit alterations suggestive of their potential progression into malignancy. In essence, cryosurgery serves to eliminate these precancerous cells, effectively preventing their development into full-blown cancer.
- Colposcopy: Colposcopy is a noninvasive diagnostic technique used for meticulous inspection of the cervix. It is generally performed in response to an abnormal pap smear result. A medical professional utilizes a colposcope, an optical magnification device, throughout the process. If the OB-GYNs find an area of interest, they collect the tissue sample and dispatch it to a laboratory for a more thorough analysis.
- Dilation and curettage (D&C): Dilation and curettage, abbreviated as D&C, ranks among the most prevalent gynecological interventions. During this procedure, a qualified healthcare professional utilizes either a suction device or a sharp curette, a surgical instrument designed for scraping, to extract a segment of the uterine lining. This intervention serves diagnostic purposes for various uterine conditions, such as uterine cancer, uterine polyps, characterized by the excessive growth of tissue within the uterine lining, and endometrial hyperplasia, signifying an abnormal thickening of the uterine lining.D&C procedures are routinely used in cases involving abortion, addressing miscarriages, managing molar pregnancies, and taking care of retained placentas that persist post-childbirth.
- Hysteroscopy: Hysteroscopy is a medical procedure employed by OB-GYNs for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in uterine issues. The technique helps remove adhesions, essentially scar tissue within the uterine cavity. It guides OB-GYNs by providing the precise location of an intrauterine device (IUD) and also aids in investigating the underlying causes of recurrent miscarriages. During the hysteroscopy procedure, a trained healthcare practitioner inserts a hysteroscope—an elongated, slender, and illuminated instrument akin to a telescope—via the vaginal route into the uterus. The hysteroscope captures visual images of the inside of the uterine cavity and displays them on a screen for detailed examination.
What happens during a pelvic exam?
Before the pelvic exam, the doctor will inquire about any health concerns. You don't need any special preparation beforehand—just attend the appointment as scheduled. To ensure comfort, the doctor or nurse may ask if you need to use the restroom before the exam. A urine sample might be requested if there are symptoms such as burning during urination or frequent urination. The exam itself is generally not painful but may cause mild discomfort, typically lasting around 10 minutes.
The doctor will ask you to undress, put on a gown, and lie on the exam table, covering yourself with a sheet. After discussing any health concerns, you will lie on your back with your feet on the footrests and relax. The doctor will press on the lower abdomen to examine the organs.
Then, the OB-GYN will ask you to move toward the end of the table and bend your knees.
The doctor will first inspect the vulva for signs of infection, swelling, or sores. Next, to widen the vagina, they will insert a lubricated speculum, making it easier to examine the internal organs. If necessary, they will perform a Pap smear to collect cells from the cervix, checking for abnormalities like cervical cancer. They will collect a sample of vaginal discharge to check for infections.
After removing the speculum, the doctor will perform a bimanual examination by inserting two fingers into the vagina and then pressing down on the abdomen. This is to check for abnormalities in the reproductive organs. The OB-GYN may also conduct a rectal exam to catch tumors or abnormalities in the area behind the vaginal wall, uterus, and rectum. You should inform the doctor immediately if you feel any pain during the exam.
After the exam, the OB-GYN or nurse practitioner will ask you if you have any questions or concerns. It’s important to be open about any sexual health matters, and medical professionals are obligated to maintain confidentiality. After a Pap smear, the doctor will provide the results and may recommend further testing.
How can you find the best OB-GYN near you in Coral Springs, Florida?
Finding an OB-GYN in your vicinity can be a daunting task. Therefore, Zocdoc is here to make your task of locating the top-rated OB-GYNs in Coral Springs, Florida, easy. You must visit the Zocdoc website and enter your location, preferred date and time, and insurance details to access a list of the best-qualified OB-GYNs. Moreover, you can also sort the results according to gender, hospital affiliations, and languages spoken. If you are unsure about your insurance, you can use Zocdoc's insurance detector.
If you need assistance finding an OB-GYN who accepts your insurance, our online patient help center is here to support you. Through Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account, but you can use only one insurance plan per appointment.
You can include your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes for individuals with multiple insurance plans. Additionally, if your healthcare provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can also enter your secondary insurance information there for convenience.
All practitioners listed on Zocdoc have a dedicated profile where you can learn about their education, qualifications, experience, expertise, practice name, available timings, and board certifications, among other things. In addition, you can read verified reviews by past patients to make an informed choice.
You can also book video consultations with an OB-GYN near you on Zocdoc. Just look for the purple video icon next to the practitioner's profile. Depending on availability, you can also book appointments on weekends and after 5 p.m.
Booking appointments with OB-GYNs near you on Zocdoc is fast, free, and secure!
OB-GYN-related statistics in the U.S. and Florida
Per the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were around 21,450 OB-GYNs in the country as of May 2022. According to Zippia, 85.2% of the doctors are women, and the remaining 14.8% are men. A KFF report produced in May 2023 stated that Florida has nearly 2,842 active OB-GYNs.
According to the Florida Department of Health, in 2021, Broward County (Coral Springs is included in Broward County) reported 11 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to Florida’s 85 deaths per 100,000 live births.
According to America’s Health Rankings, in 2021, 9% of children born in Florida had low birth weight, slightly higher than the country's rate of 8.5%. Mothers aged 40-44 had the highest rate of low birth weight infants (11.7%). Moreover, 10.5% of low birth weight infants were born to mothers aged 15-19. In addition, 14.5% of infants with low birth weight were born to African-American women, followed by Asian women (9.8%).
Per the National Cancer Institute, between 2016 and 2020, the rate of cervical cancer in Florida was 9.1; this was higher than the national rate of 7.5. In addition, the rate of ovarian cancer in Florida (10.9) was also higher than the whole of the U.S. (10.1). However, the rate of uterine cancer in the state (25.9) was lower than the national rate (27.4).
Sources
WebMD
American College of Surgeons
Texas Health Resources
HealthCare Business Today
KFF
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Zippia
America's Health Rankings
Florida Department of Health
National Cancer Institute
Verywell Health
MedicalNewsToday
