Obstetrician Gynecologist: Find an OB-GYN

An obstetrician cares for women who are pregnant, are trying to get pregnant, or who have recently delivered a child. A gynecologist specializes in preventing problems in the female reproductive system and diagnosing and treating conditions if they do occur.

Most doctors who specialize in obstetrics also specialize in gynecology, but there are some doctors who choose to only practice one specialty or the other.

OB-GYN is short for obstetrician-gynecologist. An OB-GYN is both an obstetrician and a gynecologist. In other words, an OB-GYN is a doctor who specializes in both the female reproductive system and in caring for women during pregnancy, labor and delivery. 

OB-GYNs manage all aspects of reproductive health for women. They perform well-woman, preventive exams, counsel women about birth control and pregnancy, screen for gynecologic cancers (such as cervical and ovarian cancer), perform procedures and prescribe treatment to address conditions, like cervical dysplasia, sexually transmitted infections, urinary tract infections, uterine fibroids, and more.

Experts recommend that most women have routine checkups with their OB-GYN every year, but some women may need to go more often, and some women may be able to wait two or three years between well-women visits. Talk with your doctor about what’s right for you.

At your annual exam, you can expect the following:

• Your doctor may talk with you about any concerns you have and will ask you whether you’ve noticed any changes.
• Your doctor may ask you whether you might be pregnant or if you are considering having a baby.
• Your doctor will perform a breast exam and may remind you to have your annual mammogram. If your doctor finds any abnormalities, he or she may recommend a diagnostic mammogram or other tests, like a breast ultrasound or a breast MRI.
• Your doctor will do a pelvic exam and may do a Pap test to check for signs of cervical cancer.

During pregnancy, you will have many routine checkups to evaluate your health and the health of your baby. Those checkups should start as soon as you know you are pregnant and should continue with regular prenatal care throughout your pregnancy. Your visit schedule will depend upon the risk level of you and your baby, your age, and your general health. Talk with your doctor about how often you should schedule prenatal visits and testing.

Some of the more common conditions OB-GYNs treat are:

Some of these treatments may be best treated by specialists, such as urogynecologists, perinatologists, reproductive endocrinologists, or gynecologic oncologists. We work with these specialists regularly to ensure every woman we treat receives the best, most effective care for her needs.

OB-GYNs at Beaumont offer a wide range of tests and treatments for women. Some of those treatments are:

We also offer pre-conception and contraception counseling for women who wish to get pregnant or avoid pregnancy.

Every woman should see an OB-GYN every year for a routine checkup, including a pelvic exam, breast exam and mammogram. Women and teens who are sexually active should see an OB-GYN when sexual activity begins. Women who are not and have not been sexually active should have their first exam by their 21st birthday. If women have reached 70 with a history of normal Pap smears and they haven’t had any new sexual partners, they can most likely stop having annual exams.

There are other reasons to make an appointment with an OB-GYN. Some of those reasons are:

Beaumont has OB-GYN offices in cities throughout metro Detroit. We also offer specialty centers, such as maternal-fetal medicine and a Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Clinic.

To make an appointment with a Beaumont OB-GYN or to get a referral to a specialist, please contact us at 800-633-7377.