Obstetrics vs Gynecology: Difference and Comparison

Obstetrics and Gynecology are both medical practices related to providing medical and surgical care to women. Thus, both Obstetricians and Gynecologists specialize in taking medical care of women.

Key Takeaways

  1. Obstetrics focuses on pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, while gynecology addresses the overall health of the female reproductive system.
  2. Gynecologists provide medical care for menstrual disorders, menopause, and infections, while obstetricians manage pregnancy-related concerns.
  3. Both fields require specialized training, with many healthcare providers choosing to specialize in both as OB-GYNs.

Obstetrics vs Gynecology 

Obstetrics is a field of medicine that deals specifically with caring for women during pregnancy and childbirth. It concentrates on women’s hormones, post-natal care, menopause, delivery and other birth-related aspects. Gynaecology is a field of medicine that specializes in the treatment of women and their reproductive organs. It concentrates on menstrual inconsistencies, contraception, infections, PCOD and other reproductive issues.

Obstetrics vs Gynecology

Obstetrics is a medical practice where the doctor deals with pregnancy and other birth-related issues of a pregnant woman. The doctor deals with matters like childbirth, delivery, and labour, puerperium, post-natal care.

The doctors deal with issues related to a pap smear, vaginal infection, infection in the uterus, fertility problems, contraception, and others.

Comparison Table

  Parameters of Comparison  Obstetrics   Gynecology  
  Specialization   Obstetricians specialize in dealing with pregnancy and birth-related issues of pregnant women and also takes care of their unborn babies.   Gynecologists specialize in dealing with issues related to the female reproductive system. 
  Issues   Deals with matters related to childbirth, delivery and labour, post-natal care, and others.   Deals with issues related to a pap smear, vaginal infection, infection in the uterus, fertility problems, contraception, and others.  
 Association  Associated to deal with pregnancy-related issues in a woman.   Associated to deal with non-pregnancy-related reproductive issues in women.  
 Care   Takes medical care of a pregnant woman and their unborn baby. Also provides them with post-natal care.   Takes medical care of the reproductive organs of a woman. Also performs surgical procedures on reproductive organs.  
 Reproductive organs   Cannot treat reproductive issues in women except for birth-related issues or issues during pregnancy.   Specializes in taking medical care of the female reproductive organs. 

What is Obstetrics? 

Obstetrics is a medical practice where the doctor deals with pregnancy and other birth-related issues of pregnant women and their unborn babies.

The doctor deals with matters related to childbirth, delivery, and labour, puerperium, post-natal care. During pregnancy, a lot of complications like ectopic pregnancy, and pre-eclampsia can occur.

Even after the delivery has been completed successfully, the Obstetricians take medical care and keep the mother and their newborn baby under observation for six weeks after the birth of the baby.

obstetrics

What is Gynecology? 

Gynaecology is a medical practice where the doctor deals with issues related to the female reproductive system. In contrast to Obstetricians, Gynecologists do not deal with issues related to pregnancy.

The doctor deals with concerns regarding a pap smear, vaginal infection, infection in the uterus, fertility problems, contraception, and others.

Gynecologists perform surgeries on the female reproductive organs and ensure that the female body is medically well taken care of.   

gynecology

Main Differences Between Obstetrics and Gynecologists

  1. Even after the delivery has been completed successfully, the Obstetricians take medical care and keep the mother and their newborn baby under observation for six weeks after the birth of the baby.
  2. During pregnancy, a lot of complications like ectopic pregnancy, and pre-eclampsia can occur. Obstetricians ensure that the delivery and labour process takes place without any complications.
Difference Between Obstetrics and Gynecology
References
  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002937806006788 
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0029784494004116 

Last Updated : 21 August, 2023

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