What is an obstetrician/gynaecologist?
An obstetrician/gynaecologist is a medical specialist who deals with the health of women.
Obstetrics is the speciality that treats women through pregnancy and childbirth, while
gynaecology is the care of women specific to the disorders and problems unique to the female reproductive organs. In the UK, most consultants within the specialty work in both obstetrics and gynaecology, otherwise known as OBGYN. You might also hear people refer to an obstetrician/gynaecologist as a
pregnancy doctor.
Which subspecialties are included under obstetrics and gynaecology?
According to the British Medical Association, a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology can specialise further in:
- gynaecological oncology
- maternal and fetal medicine
- reproductive medicine
- sexual and reproductive health
- community gynaecology
- urogynaecology
How do you become an OBGYN?
To become an OBGYN you must complete basic medical training followed by seven years of specialty training. At the end of the program you will receive a Certificate of Completion of Training and you’ll be eligible for entry onto the specialist register.
What does an obstetrician/gynaecologist treat?
An obstetrician/gynaecologist can treat a range of conditions affecting the female reproductive system, including:
They can also advise on fertility problems, including difficulty conceiving and recurrent miscarriage.
During pregnancy, an obstetrician/gynaecologist can handle a variety of situations including:
Obstetricians
carry out 35% of births in the UK and can perform
caesareans either as an elective or emergency procedure.
Finally, an obstetrician/gynaecologist can provide support and treatment for women experiencing symptoms of the
menopause.
How can I make an appointment with an OBGYN?
For many of the problems listed above, you can be referred to an OBGYN by your GP, or you can book an appointment with an OBGYN online.
However, if you are experiencing problems with conceiving, there are a number of fertility clinics around the UK that you can also make an appointment with directly. These are staffed by
fertility specialists – OBGYN doctors who have undergone subspecialist training in reproductive medicine. Support can include counselling and
in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.