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The Differences Between Gynecology & Obstetric Care Services

April 19, 2023

As you may have already heard, our practice will no longer be offering Obstetric care effective on August 1, 2023.  We will however still be offering our Gynecology services.  What does that mean exactly?  Well, we hope we can answer your questions here, today.

Gynecology Services – Provided By Our Office 

We will continue offering our quality care Gynecology services after August 1, 2023.  Those Gynecology services are specified below:

Pelvic Exams 

Pelvic exams are a vital part of every woman’s health.  After a woman turns 21 a pelvic exam should become an annual event.  It is a simple exam that takes a few minutes to perform.  During the exam, your physician will examine your reproductive organs. They will check your vulva, vagina, cervix, and uterus. The procedure is often quick and painless (although you may experience some discomfort). The pelvic exam checks for serious conditions such as ovarian cysts, sexually transmitted infections, or certain cancers.

Pap Smears

During your annual pelvic exam, your physician may also perform a Pap smear, also known as a Pap test. This procedure is done to test for cervical cancers in women. A Pap smear consists of collecting cells from your cervix (the narrow end of your uterus), with an extended swab. Once the specimen is collected, it will be sent for pathology testing at an outside laboratory.

Breast Exam

During each visit, your physician will also do a routine breast exam. These exams, along with mammograms, are an important chance to catch breast cancer early. You should receive a breast exam every year when you visit your physician for a pelvic exam.

Genius™ 3D Mammography

A mammography (also known as a mammogram) is an x-ray of breasts. They are a crucial prevention tool for early diagnosis of breast cancer, which will affect 1 in every 8 women during their lifetime, making it the second most common cancer in women.

Gynecology Treatment Solutions

In addition to the annual exam (as we covered above), we offer treatment solutions for many common conditions. Just some of our areas of treatment include:

– Abnormal Pap Smear
– Abnormal Uterine Bleeding/Heavy Periods
– Menstrual Irregularity
– Ovarian Masses/Tumors
– Painful Intercourse
– Pelvic and Vaginal Infection
– Pelvic and Vaginal Pain
– Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
– Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
– Sexual Dysfunction
– Urinary Incontinence
– Uterine/Vaginal and Bladder Prolapse

Prenatal Care 

First early pregnancy confirmation and ultrasound. Your medical records can be transferred to your selected Obstetric care team.

Surgeries

We offer a number of surgeries for women to treat a wide range of gynecological issues. Some of the most common surgeries our physicians perform include:

  • Abdominal Hysterectomy / Oophorectomy
  • Bartholin’s Gland Excision
  • Endometrial Ablation
  • Loop Electrode Excision Procedure
  • Myomectomy-Hysteroscopic
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery

Minimally Invasive Surgeries

  • Laparoscopic Ablation/Removal of Endometriosis
  • Laparoscopic Ectopic Pregnancy
  • Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
  • Laparoscopic Oophorectomy
  • Laparoscopic Ovarian Cystectomy
  • Laparoscopic Tubal Sterilization

Other In-Office Procedures – Gynecology

  • Breast Ultrasounds
  • Colposcopy
  • Endometrial Ablation
  • Hysteroscopy
  • IUD Insertion
  • NEXPLANON®  Insertion
  • Pessary Fitting/Insertion
  • Removal or Destruction of Condyloma
  • Vulvar Biopsy
  • Vulvar Revision or Labiaplasty

The above services are the services that represent the quality gynecological care that we will continue to offer our patients.  In addition, we will also continue to offer personalized menopause care plans.

Obstetric Services – NOT Provided By Our Office After August 1, 2023

As we have mentioned we will be discontinuing all Obstetric services effective August 1, 2023.  It has been an honor and a privilege to offer Obstetric care to our patients for the past 30 years.   If you need Obstetric care we will be able to transfer your medical records over to your chosen provider (electronically or by fax depending on the provider).  After you have your Obstetrical care needs met you are more than welcome to return to our office for Gynecological care.

Obstetric Care Services (not provided by our office as of August 1, 2023) can include: 

  • Family Planning – meeting the team that will deliver your baby and they can go over your health history with you and discuss the next steps.
  • Prenatal Care – Obstetrical education, in-office fetal monitoring NST/BPP, vaccines, and genetic counseling & testing. (Your first early pregnancy confirmation and ultrasound can be done with our team or with an Obstetric care team)
  • In-office exams by trimester.
  • Customized delivery plans, which can include vaginal delivery, cesarean section, or elect to do a gentle cesarean section.  This may also include cord blood banking, delayed cord clamping, and stem cell collection options.

Our team hopes that you find this information helpful.  As always, your health and wellness are a top priority for us.  Schedule your appointment today.

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