Healthcare is made up of so many different acronyms, and it can be hard to keep track of them all. CRNP (certified registered nurse practitioner), BP (blood pressure), ICU (intensive care unit) — it can start to look a little bit like alphabet soup.
Abbreviations make it easy for doctors to communicate about what they need and to take notes during appointments. But sometimes abbreviations can make it hard to remember different services, providers, and even kinds of care — and you may be surprised to learn what some of them really mean.
One shorthand abbreviation that people may not realize stands for two types of physicians is Ob/Gyn. Is an obstetrician the same as a gynecologist? Does it matter which one you see?
Learning what Ob/Gyn really means can help you be sure you're getting the care you need and choose a doctor who can best provide that care.
1. OB vs. GYN — What's the Difference?
Obstetrics (OB) is the field of medicine that provides care during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Gynecology (GYN) is the field that provides preventive reproductive care to women, as well as management of reproductive organ diseases, including surgical intervention.
"Both of these branches of medicine complement each other. They both focus on the reproductive organs and their functions," says Eduardo Mercurio, MD, FACOG, Co-Chair of Chester County Hospital's Ob/Gyn department. "The difference is whether you are managing a pregnant or a non-pregnant patient."
The type of provider you see will depend on the kind of care you need. Even though the two fields have some overlap, it can be helpful to know what your options are for providers based on the services they can provide.
2. What Does an Obstetrician Do?
Obstetricians are the doctors who support you throughout your pregnancy. They care for you and your baby during pregnancy just like a pediatrician provides care for your child as they grow up.
Typically, throughout your pregnancy and the postpartum period, an obstetrician will:
- Conduct routine prenatal exams and screenings
- Order routine lab tests, particularly for diabetes and anemia
- Perform an ultrasound between 20 and 22 weeks to monitor the position and growth of your baby
- Deliver your baby (may also be performed by a midwife)
- Continue providing care for mom for up to 12 weeks after childbirth
"Your first visit with your OB should happen around 8 weeks after your last missed period," states Dr. Mercurio. "During this visit, your doctor will confirm your pregnancy, review your medical history, order your initial prenatal labs, and also answer any questions you might have."
3. What Does a Gynecologist Do?
Some reproductive healthcare providers are just gynecologists — which means that they don't deliver babies or provide pregnancy care.
You may go to see a gynecologist for services like:
- Your routine well-woman visit
- A pap smear
- STD or vaginal infection screening/treatment
- Birth control
- Menopause management
- Gynecologic-related cancer screenings
A gynecologist can also evaluate and help you manage conditions like endometriosis and uterine fibroids. With the help of technology, gynecologists can also perform minimally invasive procedures like laparoscopic surgery.
4. And What About an Ob/Gyn?
While obstetrics and gynecology are two separate fields of study, many reproductive healthcare providers are trained in both fields. Many hospitals will have one department for all Ob/Gyn services, including Chester County Hospital.
Many members of the Chester County Hospital team are Ob/Gyns, so they are able to support the full spectrum of reproductive health needs, from conducting pap smears to delivering a baby.
Within the Ob/Gyn field, there are even more specialized areas of study and research, which is made obvious by the many different interests an Ob/Gyn can have. Some Ob/Gyns focus on adolescent medicine, others specialize in surgery, and some are trained to monitor high-risk pregnancies.
Obstetricians and gynecologists play an important role in reproductive health. Scheduling routine visits with a gynecologist can help you maintain your health and catch health concerns early. Attending appointments with your obstetrician throughout pregnancy benefits you and your baby.
Looking for Ob/Gyn Services?
Whether you need to schedule a pap smear or just found out you’re pregnant, Chester County Hospital's Ob/Gyns are here for you. Request an appointment online or call 610-903-6200 to talk to a team member.