An OB GYN clinic provides an assortment of health care services specific to female reproductive wellness. Every OB GYN clinic will have at least one registered obstetrician, who specializes in pregnancy and childbirth, and at least one gynecologist, who specializes in female reproductive issues such as pelvic exams, sexually transmitted diseases or infections diagnosis and treatment, and contraception. Women who are of menstruating age or who are sexually active generally seek the services of an OB GYN clinic.
One kind of doctor present in OB GYN, which stands for obstetrics and gynecology, clinics is a gynecologist. One aspect of a gynecologist’s job is to perform routine, usually annual, physical examinations of the female reproductive system. These annual exams asses a woman’s vaginal, cervical, and uterine health and may also include a breast exam. A gynecologist can answer questions women may have about menstruation, family planning, or menopause. These clinics offer information and consultations on different contraceptives, and gynecologists can write prescriptions for hormonal birth control.
Annual physicals at OB GYN clinics typically include a few routine tests to screen for abnormalities or diseases. Lab tests called Pap smears are common and often mandated, and the results can potentially be used to screen for cancerous cells. A gynecologist at an OB GYN clinic can also perform tests to screen for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The doctor usually provides counseling and advice for both preventing the transmission of these infections and living with an infection if one is already present.
The other kind of doctor found in an OB GYN clinic is an obstetrician. This type of doctor specializes in prenatal care, pregnancy, and childbirth. Some, but not all, clinics provide abortion services in the event of unintended or dangerous pregnancies. Women who are trying to become pregnant can visit a clinic to receive fertility counseling and treatments to help them conceive.
When a woman becomes pregnant, she will regularly visit her obstetrician for checkups for herself and her baby, which include sonograms and ultrasounds to monitor the development of the fetus. Obstetricians can also provide pregnant women with nutritional advice, tell them what changes or developments they can expect during the three trimesters of pregnancy, and prepare them for childbirth. Additionally, obstetricians act as the primary doctors during birth and assist women during the process of labor and delivery.