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On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for an OB-GYN in San Luis Obispo, book an appointment, and see the OB-GYN within 24 hours. Same-day appointments are often available, you can search for real-time availability of OB-GYNs in San Luis Obispo who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a San Luis Obispo OB-GYN who takes your insurance. Just choose your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. If you’re not sure which plan you have, you can use Zocdoc’s insurance checker to find out.
Zocdoc is a free online service that helps patients find OB-GYNs in San Luis Obispo and book appointments instantly. You can search for San Luis Obispo OB-GYNs by symptom or visit reason. Then, choose your insurance plan. Based on that information, you’ll see a list of providers who meet your search criteria, along with their available appointment slots.
When you search for San Luis Obispo OB-GYNs on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see OB-GYNs in San Luis Obispo who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for San Luis Obispo OB-GYNs with availability after 5 p.m.
You can use Zocdoc to find OB-GYNs in San Luis Obispo who are highly rated by other patients. These ratings are based on verified reviews submitted by real patients. Every time a patient completes an appointment booked on Zocdoc, they’re invited to review their experience. Each review must comply with Zocdoc’s guidelines.
OB-GYNs in San Luis Obispo on Zocdoc who see patients through online video visits will have a purple video icon on their profiles. You can also filter your search results to show only OB-GYNs who offer video visits.
Most insurers provide coverage for video visits at the same cost as in-person visits. You can search on Zocdoc specifically for OB-GYNs in San Luis Obispo who accept your insurance for video visits by selecting your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. We recommend you check with your insurance carrier directly to confirm your coverage and out of pocket costs for video visits.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for an OB-GYN who has appointments available before 10:00 am, or after 5:00 pm. Just choose the special hours filter at the top of our search page.
Zocdoc let's you see real-time availability for OB-GYNs in San Luis Obispo. Many OB-GYNs offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
OB-GYN (or OB/GYN) is an acronym for two closely related medical specialties. 'OB' is an abbreviation for obstetrics or obstetrician, a doctor who provides prenatal care. 'GYN' is an abbreviation for gynecologist or gynecology, a specialization of the female reproductive system. The female body goes through various biological processes, such as menstruation, birth, and menopause. OB-GYNs provide care and treatment for such stages and may offer a wide range of general health services.
There is a common misconception that OB-GYNs and gynecologists are the same. An OB-GYN specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, whereas a gynecologist only specializes in gynecology. A gynecologist is a medical professional focusing on female reproductive health from the first period to post-menopause.
A gynecologist can diagnose and treat any reproductive-related conditions, such as those related to the cervix, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, or vagina. They also recommend and perform screenings such as breast exams, pap smears, and pelvic exams. Furthermore, they can perform hysterectomies and tubal ligations. They are also ideal for advice on sexual intimacy, such as sexual hygiene, contraceptives, and protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
In short, a gynecologist can provide care for any condition or concern if it's a non-pregnancy issue related to female reproductive health. Hence, to provide comprehensive care to patients, many physicians choose to become OB-GYNs to address the full spectrum of their patient's healthcare needs.
To become an OB-GYN, one must complete a bachelor's degree and four years of medical school training. Following medical school, one must complete four years of graduate-level education as an obstetrics and gynecology resident. These doctors learn about reproductive and other women's health issues during this time. They specifically learn about:
Doctors complete their residency in a medical setting, such as a hospital, under the supervision of an attending doctor. After residency, they must complete three additional years of training to specialize in a specific area. After completing all required training, they must pass a specialty board certification exam. The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology supervises this exam. OB-GYNs must take a maintenance exam every six years to keep their certification.
Data from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) shows an increase in the number of OB-GYNs earning a board certification in a specialty. There are around seven recognized subspecialties that the ABMS outlines:
OB-GYNs diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of conditions. These include:
OB-GYNs near you can perform major and minor surgery for inpatient and outpatient procedures. These are some examples of these procedures:
An OB-GYN can also care for you during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. During this time, procedures may include:
OB-GYNs also perform preventive tests and screenings regularly, such as
Generally, your appointment will begin with a general checkup. A nurse will measure your weight and blood pressure. Additionally, you might have to undergo a urine and blood test. Then comes the physical examination. The nurse will lead you into the examination room and ask you to wear a gown with a front opening as well as a sheet to cover your lap. The OB-GYN will most likely begin by asking general questions about your personal and family health history. A nurse or other health professional might accompany you and your OB-GYN for the pelvic exam.
The OB-GYN will first look for abnormalities outside the vagina, including the vulva area and vaginal opening. They will then perform an internal examination of your reproductive organs. They will use a speculum (a device that holds the vagina open) to examine the vagina and cervix (the opening to your uterus) internally. This happens in a position where your knees are bent, and your legs are apart and placed on stirrups. This exam may cause some pressure, but it should not be painful. Your OB-GYN will also examine the vaginal and cervix walls.
Pap tests are typically performed during a pelvic exam in women over 21. Your ob-gyn will remove a sample of cells from your cervix using a small brush. These cells will then be examined in a laboratory for cervical cancer, the human papillomavirus (HPV), and other abnormalities. Within 24 hours of your appointment, try to avoid having sex or douching. Sexual activity may irritate vaginal tissue and affect your Pap test results.
Further, the doctor may test you for sexually transmitted diseases if you are sexually active. The OB-GYN will then perform an internal bimanual exam. It involves inserting one or two gloved fingers into your vagina and placing the other hand on top of the lower part of your abdomen. Doctors do this to feel your cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries from outside your body. If necessary, your doctor may also perform a rectovaginal exam. The OB-GYN will insert a gloved finger into your rectum. They should also perform a breast exam to look for lumps or other abnormalities.
OB-GYNs deal with women's personal and sensitive health issues. Thus, it is imperative that you feel comfortable discussing your private concerns with your chosen OB-GYN.
Zocdoc is an online platform to help you find the best OB-GYNs in San Luis Obispo, California. To begin with, create an account on the platform, which is entirely free. Then, using the search bar, enter the type of specialist you want to see, your condition, or the clinical procedure you must undergo. Our platform lists thousands of medical practitioners in your locality, making health care accessible. To identify an OB-GYN near you who checks all your boxes, you can narrow the search results with the help of advanced filters such as gender, distance from your location, availability, date and time of visit, languages spoken by the doctor, and patient type.
Using Zocdoc’s insurance detector, you can find "in-network" doctors and save some money on bills or clinical procedures.When booking an appointment on Zocdoc, the website prompts you to share details about your insurance or to acknowledge that you are paying out-of-pocket. Some healthcare providers need you to provide insurance information in order to schedule appointments with them. If you do not have insurance or do not want to use insurance for your appointment, you can always find another suitable provider on Zocdoc. For more insurance-related queries, check Zocdoc's patient help center.
You can learn more about each doctor by visiting their profile. It contains information on their academic qualifications, clinical interests, medical expertise, hospital affiliations, achievements in the field, etc. Zocdoc also provides verified reviews and ratings by the previous patients of these doctors. Such information helps you choose a competitive healthcare provider with whom you can be comfortable. Once you select an OB-GYN near you, you can book an in-person visit or online appointment at your convenience.
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As per data published by Kaiser Family Foundation, between 2018-2020, about 74% of women aged 18-64 in California reported having a Pap smear. As of 2018, the cervical cancer incidence rate per 100,000 women in California was about 7.4, and the death rate was about 2.2. Your OB-GYN can detect such issues early and offer the necessary care and treatment. Thus, it is critical that despite being healthy, you see your OB-GYN at least once a year.
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.