Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Pelvis | Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Medicine Field)


Description

Obstetrics and gynaecology are the two specialities dealing with the female reproductive organs in their pregnant and non-pregnant state, respectively, and as such are often combined to form a single medical specialty and postgraduate training programme. Gynaecology is the medical practice dealing with the health of the female reproductive system: uterus, vagina, and ovaries. Obstetrics is the word for the art and science of managing pregnancy, labour, and the puerperium.

Specialization

Pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, counting from the first day of your last normal period. The weeks are grouped into three trimesters. During labour itself, the obstetrician, doctor, intern, medical student under supervision may be called on to do a number of tasks which can include: monitoring the progress of labor by reviewing the nursing chart; performing vaginal examination, and assessing the trace produced by a fetal monitoring device; accelerating the progress of labor by infusion of the oxytocin hormone, providing pain relief, either by nitrous oxide, opiates, or by epidural anaesthesia done by anaesthetists, an anaesthesiologist, or a nurse anaesthetist; surgically assisting labor, by forceps or the Ventouse; Caesarean section, if there is an associated risk with vaginal delivery.

Caesarean delivery is the surgery to deliver a baby. The baby is taken out through the mothers abdomen. Most caesarean births result in healthy babies and mothers but also is a major surgery who carries risks. Healing also takes longer than with vaginal birth. Most healthy pregnant women with no risk factors for problems during labor or delivery have their babies vaginally. ...