[Obstetrics and gynaecology] Introduction

Gynaecologists specialise in disease of the female genitourinary system. This includes the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.

Obstetricians specialise in diseases of pregnancy.

There is great overlap between obstetrics and gynaecology, and they are impossible to separate in early training. Many senior physicians are able to eventually subspecialise.

There is significant overlap with urology, and genitourinary medicine.

 

Etymology

Latin obstētrīx, obstētrīcis = midwife

Ancient Greek γυνή (gunḗ) = woman
Ancient Greek λογία (logia) = study

 

History taking 

• Obstetrics 
• Gynaecology 

 

Physical examination

• Pelvic examination
• Speculum examination
• Bimanual vaginal examination
• Obstetric examination

 

Procedures

 

Common presentations

• Reduced fetal movements (RFM)
• Suspected miscarriage 
• Labour complications 
• Referral from midwife or GP 

• Menorrhagia 
• Dysmenorrhoea 
• Amenorrhoea
• Dysuria
• Urinary incontinence
• Dyspareunia 
• Dysorgasmia
• Infertility 

 

Female urogenital diseases and Pregnancy complications

 

Conditions 

• Gestational diabetes
• Pre-eclampsia 
• Eclampsia
• Polyhydramnios
• Oligohydramnios
• Hyperemesis gravidarum
• Placenta praevia
• Placental abruption 
• Postpartum bleeding
• Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
• Postpartum depression
• Postpartum psychosis
• Molar pregnancy 
• Ectopic pregnancy 
• Ruptured ectopic pregnancy 
• Rhesus disease
• Sheehan's syndrome
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Salpingitis
• Tubo-ovarian abscess 
• Pelvic organ prolapse  
• Ovarian cyst 
• Ruptured ovarian cyst   
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)  
• Premature ovarian failure  
• Uterine cancer 
• Ovarian cancer
• Turner syndrome