Who is an OB-GYN?
An OB-GYN (obstetrician-gynecologist) is a medical professional with expertise in two critical areas of women's health, i.e., obstetrics and gynecology. In practical terms, an OB-GYN specializes in matters associated with women's health, childbirth, menstruation, fertility, menopause, etc. OB-GYN intersects two fields of medical study – obstetrics and gynecology.
Obstetrics is associated with surgical care before, during, and after childbirth. The four stages of birth during which the role of obstetrics is critical are pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum care. Gynecology as a field of medical study covers the entire scope of women's reproductive health, not just surgical care during childbirth.
According to 2021 numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are over three million childbirths in the United States. Around 146,973 are teen births, underlining the need for proper reproductive care and advice.
What areas do OB-GYNs specialize in?
OB-GYNs specialize in multiple areas of women's health. The following sections highlight some of the critical areas they specialize in:
- Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM): An essential part of obstetrics, maternal-fetal medicine is concerned with caring for a mother and child before, during, and after childbirth. The role of maternal-fetal medicine specialists is crucial in managing women with chronic conditions or a history of high-risk pregnancies.
- Gynecologic oncology: As the name suggests, gynecologic oncology is a field of study that treats cancers associated with the reproductive system of a female body. Ovarian cancer is an example of a condition that falls under the purview of this field.
- Infertility: Infertility refers to not being able to conceive even after unprotected and regular intercourse for a year. OB-GYNs specializing in infertility have an acute understanding of reproductive hormones; they can advise patients on ways to conceive and prescribe medications for infertility.
- Reproductive surgery: While reproductive surgery primarily involves childbirth, it can cover other operations associated with men's and women's reproductive systems.
- Female pelvic medicine: Also known as urogynecology, female pelvic medicine is associated with treating pelvic disorders. These disorders include pelvic pain, fecal inconsistency, overactive bladder, and more. It is a subset of obstetrics and gynecology.
What procedures can OB-GYNs perform?
OB-GYNs are trained surgeons qualified to perform various procedures, such as the following:
- cesarean sections
- a hysterectomy
- instrumental deliveries during childbirth
- surgery to repair pelvic organ injuries
- eliminating growths such as uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts
OB-GYN doctors can also conduct various routine and in-office procedures, such as the following:
- STI tests
- Pap smears to examine cervical cancer
- fertility procedures, such as egg-freezing or egg retrievals for IVF
- infertility counseling and treatments
- management of urinary conditions such as UTIs and incontinence
- treatment of common illnesses such as anemia
- pelvic ultrasounds to examine pelvic organs and track pregnancy
- breast exams and breast cancer screenings
How early should a woman start consulting an OB-GYN professional?
Generally, your first visit to an OB-GYN should be between the ages of 13 and 15. However, you may need to see an OB-GYN a little earlier in case you have the following concerns:
- Delayed puberty (no changes in breast tissue before the age of 14) or delayed menarche (no menstrual cycles before the age of 16)
- Painful menstrual cycles, especially if you miss school or activities due to symptoms
- Inability to use a tampon or concerns regarding genital anatomy
- Any sexual health concerns or contraception requirements
For other young females, family medical or pediatric professionals can address most of their health requirements, including general puberty questions.
When should you visit an OB-GYN?
While people generally seek OB-GYN appointments during pregnancy, several other symptoms warrant a visit. Here are a few reasons why you should visit an OB-GYN.
The most obvious reason to visit an OB-GYN near you is pregnancy testing. Pregnancy kits now allow women to check the status of their pregnancies at home. However, seeing an OB-GYN is crucial for understanding the whole process.
If you're having symptoms of commonly known STDs, it is vital to visit an OB-GYN and get clarity on the matter.
If you're having pain during intercourse, it could be due to a reproductive disorder. OB-GYNs diagnose and treat conditions and diseases associated with reproductive organs.
- Complications related to pregnancy
If you're having unwanted complications with your pregnancy, OB-GYNs can prescribe proper treatment and medication to bring things back on track.
OB-GYNs can test, diagnose, and treat infertility issues related to your reproductive organs. Both men and women can seek this treatment.
What should I expect from my first OB-GYN appointment?
The first appointment with an OB-GYN could be a conversation between you and your doctor. You can learn what to expect in future visits and how to maintain your health. You can ask questions about your body and sex. Your OB-GYN may ask you to undertake specific examinations and vaccines.
They may ask you questions about yourself and your family. Some questions may seem personal, such as your menstrual cycle or sexual habits (including vaginal, oral, or anal sex). Doctors usually ask these questions to provide adequate care.
Giving honest responses to these questions is critical to your care. If you are concerned about confidentiality, you should discuss it with your doctor before answering any questions.
What happens during a pelvic examination?
Your OB-GYN will request that you wear a robe for the pelvic exam. The doctor will ask you to recline on an exam table with your legs open and your feet resting on stirrups. Then, they will conduct the following tests:
The OB-GYN will first visually examine your vagina and vulva. They will look for irritation, redness, discharge, cysts, or symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as sores.
The OB-GYN will insert a speculum, a duckbill-shaped instrument made of stainless steel or plastic, into the vagina. Women should take deep breaths and try to relax their vaginal, rectal, and pelvic muscles during speculum insertion. The provider may sometimes warm up the speculum before using it.
Before removing the speculum, the doctor may swipe the cervix with what resembles a small spatula. The spatula collects cells for further analysis, a process known as a Pap smear. By examining the cells, your doctor can diagnose cancer and STDs.
Your OB-GYN will also manually examine your reproductive and sexual organs. For this, they will put on lubricated gloves and slide two fingers into your vagina while the other hand feels your abdomen. This manual examination checks for abnormalities in the uterus or ovaries.
During the manual exam, the provider will be able to assess the size of your uterus. They can also check for pregnancy and determine if there are any irregularities with the fallopian tube.
Lastly, the OB-GYN may also conduct a rectal exam. For this, they put their fingers into both the rectum and the vagina at the same time to look for problems in the tissue between these two organs.
After the examination, they will inform you immediately about most of the findings. However, Pap smear findings can take several days. The provider may prescribe medicine or ask you to schedule a follow-up visit.
How do I find the best OB-GYN near me in New Hyde Park, NY?
The relationship between a woman and her OB-GYN is one based on trust. Finding the right OB-GYN, whether you're in New Hyde Park or Plainfield, is crucial. However, finding an OB-GYN covered by your medical insurance plan can take time. Treatment can be expensive, and your last concern should be worrying about financial issues during pregnancy or other reproductive conditions.
Here's where Zocdoc can help. Its online platform lets you effortlessly discover the best doctor for your requirements with a few simple clicks.
Here's how it works – sign up for a Zocdoc account (it's free!), enter the medical professional you're looking for (OB-GYN in this case), and provide your location. If you're in New Hyde Park, ZocDoc will generate a list of OB-GYN doctors near you. You're also required to enter your medical insurance carrier and plan, thus ensuring that all the doctors you see in the list accept your insurance plan.
You can thus stop worrying about matching your preferred OB-GYN with your medical plan. Zocdoc does it for you!
You can also find reviews and feedback for each doctor you discover on the platform. If the doctor suits you, select a convenient time slot and book an appointment. Using Zocdoc, you can find the top-rated OB-GYN near you in New Hyde Park or anywhere else in the United States.
Reproductive disorders and OB-GYNs in New Hyde Park
OB-GYNs are crucial for ensuring the reproductive health of people in New Hyde Park and New York. The 2019 New York State Department of Health data shows that teen childbirths number close to 228 out of over 13,877 births in Nassau, the county where New Hyde Park is located.
The fertility rate of New York is 54.1 per 1000 women, according to a 2021 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). New York has the eighth lowest infant mortality rate compared to other states, according to a 2021 report from the CDC. It again underlines the availability of OB-GYNs in the state that provide ready counsel for people looking for reproductive care and guidance.
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)[2]
New York State Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)[3]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)[4]
Mayo Clinic Health System
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
MedicalNewsToday
Healthline
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