Obstetrics and gynecology are closely related fields, which is why people often confuse the two with each other. Before you schedule an appointment at your women’s health clinic, you’ll need to know whether you want to see an obstetrician or a gynecologist. Understand what each doctor does to help you get the care you need.

Obstetrics

The Field

Obstetrics, often shortened to OB, is the specialty of caring for pregnant women and their unborn children. They offer care throughout pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, birthing, and postpartum immediately after delivery.

They do not treat health issues outside of pregnancy. Women see this doctor when they are trying to conceive or after they have found out they are pregnant.

Services Provided

Common services they may provide include fertility treatment, monitoring and care throughout pregnancy, treating ectopic pregnancy, delivering babies naturally or with a Cesarean section procedure, and providing NICU care immediately after the birth. They may treat complications during pregnancy and birth, such as fetal distress, placenta problems, or pre-eclampsia.

Gynecology

The Field

Gynecology, often shortened to GYN, is the care of all women’s health issues. Some gynecologists provide obstetrics care as well, but not all do. Women typically begin to see this doctor when they begin puberty or become sexually active. They will see this doctor routinely throughout their life, typically on a yearly basis.

Services Provided

A gynecologist will provide routine exams to monitor the female reproductive system, such as Pap smears and pelvic exams. They can provide birth control solutions, from prescribing birth control pills to inserting an IUD. 

They may diagnose and treat prolapse, yeast infections, endometriosis, ovarian cycles, fibroids, menopause, and vaginal or cervical polyps. They diagnose and treat cancer in the uterus, ovaries, cervix, vagina, and fallopian tubes. They also perform gynecological surgeries on the reproductive system, such as removing the uterus if necessary.

Dr. Donna Chester and Dolly Lefever at Caring for Women offer women’s gynocologist services for Anchorage and Wasilla, AK. These gynecologists have been serving the community for more than 20 years, with a full range of holistic care through every step of womanhood. Learn more on their website and call (907) 279-2229 to schedule an appointment.