If you are a woman and you would like to maintain good health, you should regularly visit your obstetrician/gynecologist. Regular visits will enable your doctor to carry out examinations and detect potential health problems that need to be treated immediately. If you want to ensure a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery of the baby, you should see an obstetrician. A gynecologist will also ensure that you are safe from diseases that affect your reproductive system. Women’s Care in Trinity at Suncoast Women’s Care is based on a collaborative approach to ensure you are on top of your health throughout your life.

What does a gynecologist do?

When you visit a gynecologist, they will do a consultation and conduct several examinations. Their work is to perform tests such as; pelvic exams, pap smears, vaginal diseases tests, and cancer screenings. Your gynecologist focuses on conditions that affect your reproductive system while you are not pregnant. Other conditions treated by a gynecologist include:

·   Ovarian cysts

·   Infertility

·   Endometriosis

Some gynecologists also practice what obstetricians do; they offer their services during pregnancy and birth. If a gynecologist can also perform the work of an obstetrician, they are called an OB-GYN.

What does an obstetrician do?

Obstetricians mainly care for pregnant women. They regularly meet with pregnant women to assess the condition of the unborn baby. They offer services such as consultations, tests, and screenings. They can help deliver baby’s and act as the decision-makers while the patient is in labor. Since a woman can be in labor for long hours, an obstetrician ensures the baby’s safety and also the mother’s during that time.

What does an OB-GYN do?

Most OB-GYN’s performs duties under either gynecology or obstetrics. While OB-GYNs prefer to stick to one area only, most will offer any necessary care for female patients. Depending on a woman’s age, she can visit an OB-GYN for annual checkups or particular reproductive goals. If you experience signs and symptoms that indicate a problem with your reproductive system, you may see an OB-GYN for tests and treatments.

How should I prepare for an appointment with an OB-GYN?

Visiting your OB-GYN for annual exams is crucial to maintain good reproductive and general health. Preparing for such a visit helps to deal with anxiety and benefit from your doctor visit. The following tips can help you prepare for the visit:

·   Ensure that you schedule your meeting between menstrual cycles because your period can interfere with lab results.

·   Ensure you know the dates of your menstrual cycles.

·   Abstain from sex the night before the test.

·   Prepare questions that you may need to be answered by your doctor.

·   Mark the date of your last pap smear exams and mammogram. Take the results with you to your OB-GYN.

A woman’s body undergoes many biological changes at different times. So, it is good to know what is happening in your body that might impact you. Some conditions are not easily detected, and if left untreated, they can become severe. Contact your Suncoast Women’s Care OB-GYN expert to receive tests and early treatments for your and your baby’s health.