Obstetrics and Gynecology

Obstetrics (from the Latin obstare, "to stand by") is the medical specialty dealing with the care of all women's reproductive tracts and their children during pregnancy (prenatal period), childbirth and the postnatal period. Gynecology is the medical practice dealing with the health of the female reproductive system (uterus, vagina, and ovaries).

Learning Outcomes

This specialty has many learning outcomes and are divided into knowledge, skills and case-based learning. It is best to study this specialty in that order. For too long, medical students have been asked to perform clinical skills without knowing exactly why they are asking a specific question or performing a particular part of an examination. The format of this department allows a structured pathway to learning these skills more effectively.

The ideal method of learning for a student in this field is to acquire knowledge, develop skills and then perform these skills in a case scenario. The most effective way to get the most out of the cases is to have a friend read it to you and ask the questions. Your friend will play the part of both the patient and the examiner, while you play the role of the doctor. Case-based learning is the gold-standard method of education in medicine, but it must be preceded by knowledge and skills.

Knowledge

Obstetrics

General Obstetrics

• Organisation of Maternity Services
• Pre-conceptual Counseling
• Physiology of Conception
• Physiology of Pregnancy
• Maternal Anatomy
• Placental Anatomy
• Fetal Anatomy
• Labor
• Puerperium
• Breastfeeding
• Statistics in Obstetrics

Medical Problems in Pregnancy

• Hematological Problems
• Cardiovascular Problems
• Gastrointestinal Problems
• Renal Problems
• Endocrine Problems
• Neurological Problems
• Rheumatological Problems
• Surgical Problems
• Infections in pregnancy
• Drug Use and Abuse

Antenatal Problems

• Hyperemesis Gravidarum
• Abortion
• Gestational Trophoblastic Disease
• Ectopic Pregnancy
• Multiple Pregnancy

Fetal Disorders

• Abnormal Amniotic Fluid Volume
• Intra-uterine Growth Retardation
• Rhesus Disease
• Genetic Disorders
• Congenital Malformations

Complications of Delivery

• Pre-term Labor
• Prolonged Pregnancy
• Induction of Labor
• Slow Progress
• Malpresentation
• Fetal Distress
• Infection in Labor
• Shoulder Dystocia
• Delivery of Twins
• Stillbirth
• Amniotic Fluid Embolism

Operative Delivery

• Ventouse Delivery
• Forceps Delivery
• Cesarean Section

Problems in the Puerperium

• Puerperal Sepsis
• Psychological and Psychiatric Problems
• Advice and Counseling

Gynecology

General Gynecology

• Female Reproductive Embryology
• Male Reproductive Embryology
• Female Puberty
• Male Puberty
• Female Reproductive Anatomy
• Male Reproductive Anatomy
• Female Reproductive Physiology
• Male Reproductive Physiology

Disorders of Childhood and Puberty

• Anatomical Malformations of the Female Genital Tract
• Anatomical Malformations of the Female Genital Tract
• Intersex
• Delayed Puberty in Females
• Delayed Puberty in Males
• Precocious Puberty in Females
• Precocious Puberty in Males
• Eating Disorders

Vulval Disorders

• Vulval Neoplasia
• Non-neoplastic Vulval Disease

Vaginal Disorders

• Vaginal Neoplasia
• Non-neoplastic Vaginal Disease

Cervical Disorders

• Cervical Neoplasia
• Non-neoplastic Cervical Disease

Uterine Disorders

• Endometrial Neoplasia
• Non-neoplastic Uterine Disease
• Endometriosis

Fallopian Tube Disorders

• Fallopian Tube Neoplasia
• Non-neoplastic Fallopian Tube Disease

Ovarian Disorders

• Ovarian Neoplasia
• Premature Ovarian Failure
• Resistant Ovary Syndrome
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Other Gynecological Problems

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
• Infertility

Genitourinary Medicine

General Genitourinary Medicine

• Urological Anatomy in Females
• Urological Anatomy in Males
• Physiology of Bladder Function

Urinary Disorders in Obstetrics and Gynecology

• Female Urinary Incontinence
• Male Urinary Incontinence
• Genital Prolapse

Sexually Transmitted Infections

• Bacterial STI's
• Viral STI's
• Fungal STI's
• Protozoal STI's
• Parasitic STI's

Skills

The ability to further develop one's skills in Obstetrics and Gynecology is enhanced by a prior knowledge of anatomy, physiology, symptomatology and diseases and conditions. Skills can be well performed without it, but the student will not know why they are asking specific questions and performing certain parts of the examination.

History taking, examinations and investigative analysis should be practiced thoroughly with a sound knowledge of the presenting complaint and the epidemiology and clinical features of the diseases and conditions contained within its differential diagnosis. The student should stick to this structure or develop their own; either way there must be a structure.

History Taking

Obstetrics

• Obstetric History Taking
• Vaginal Bleeding in Pregnancy
• Pyrexia in Pregnancy
• Post-Partum Hemorrhage

Gynecology

• Gynecological History Taking
• Menorrhagia
• Amenorrhea
• Oligomenorrhea
• Postcoital Bleeding
• Intermenstrual Bleeding
• Post-Menopausal Bleeding
• Dysmenorrhea
• Dyspareunia in Females
• Vulval Itch

Examinations

• Obstetric Examination
• Gynecological Examination

Analysis of Investigations

Obstetric Investigations

• Ultrasound Scan
• Cardiotocography

Gynecological Investigations

• Hysteroscopy

Case Based Learning

Gynecology

• Case 1

See Also

• Reproductive health