![]() Though most people have heard of women’s obstetrics and gynecology, they may not know that they are two difference specialties. Often, people equate them with the same type of care, which is, women’s care. However, they actually focus on two difference things. Obstetrics is the care of women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth. Gynecology is the specialty that focuses on the health of women’s reproductive organs. But, your gynecologist cannot provide care to you while they are pregnant and your obstetrician will not provide care to you before you are expecting. So, how does women’s obstetrics and gynecology work together to keep women healthy? By working in tandem. Women will start to see a gynecologist in their teen years for annual exams. These yearly visits often include pelvic exams, breast exams, and Pap Smears. As women age, these visits become a time to discuss birth control options or for your doctor to answer questions you have regarding your sexual health. Once women decide to grow their family and become pregnant, possibly with the help of a gynecologist who can treat infertility, they will pass your care to an obstetrician. These are the doctors that will monitor your health and the health of your baby throughout your pregnancy. And, when the times comes, they will deliver your new bundle of joy. Your obstetrician will also care for you for a short while after you give birth to ensure you are recovering and healing properly. Then, they will release you back to the care of your gynecologist. Alpharetta, GA women who are looking for women’s obstetrics and gynecology care should contact the staff at Georgia OBGYN. Our physicians are able to provide a variety of care, ranging from wellness exams to high risk pregnancy care, all in a comfortable and safe environment. To learn more about our team, or to schedule an appointment, please contact our office.
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![]() Q. What are fibroids? A. Fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in or on the uterus and are made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue. These are usually benign growths, but some can eventually develop into cancerous growths that require treatment. Q. What are symptoms? A. Many women develop fibroids and have no symptoms, requiring no treatment from your Atlanta women’s OBGYN. However, some women may have multiple, large growths or cancerous fibroids that require treatment. Common signs of fibroids include heavy menstrual periods and periods that last more than one week, lower back pain, frequent urination, pain during intercourse, and pelvic pain or pressure. If you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to consult your Atlanta women’s OBGYN. Q. How are fibroids diagnosed? A. Your Atlanta women’s OBGYN may feel small bumps while doing your pelvic exam, which would prompt them to check for fibroids. The most common ways to diagnose fibroids is through an ultrasound or an MRI. Q. How are fibroids treated? A. Once your Atlanta women’s OBGYN has confirmed your fibroids diagnosis. They will set to work treating them. They can be treated using certain medications. Your doctor may also recommend surgery if they are large, causing issues, or not responding to medication. Q. How can I prevent fibroids? A. Though there is no sure fire way to prevent the development of fibroids. However, your Atlanta women’s OBGYN can discuss steps you can take to help lower your risk of developing them. This includes eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and other lifestyle changes. Q. What causes fibroids? A. There is no known cause of fibroids, however, there are factors that can indicate an increased risk. A family history of them and your race can all make you more susceptible to developing fibroids. ![]() Q. What is menopause? A. Menopause is the time that marks the end of a women’s reproductive years. Her ovaries stop releasing eggs and menstruation stops. Q. How is menopause diagnosed? A. Women can be diagnosed as in menopause following 12 consecutive months of no periods. Q. What are symptoms of menopause? A. In addition to no longer menstruating, women may experience a variety of symptoms. These symptoms will also help your women’s OBGYN with your diagnosis. Common symptoms include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, difficulty sleeping, and mood swings. Q. How can a women’s OBGYN help me? A. Women who are going through menopause, don’t have to go through it alone. A women’s OBGYN can help you manage your symptoms so you don’t have to live in pain or discomfort. Q. How is menopause treated? A. Since menopause is a natural process the body goes through, your women’s OBGYN can’t cure it. They can, however, help you manage your symptoms. Prescriptions can help ease discomfort caused by vaginal dryness. Some physicians and patients may decide to try hormonal therapy to manage severe symptoms. Your physician can discuss your symptoms and work with you to develop the best plan to manage them. Q. When does menopause start? A. No woman is exactly the same, so women may go through menopause at difference times. Most women go through menopause between the ages of 40 and 58, with the average age being 51. However, if you have had a hysterectomy or a family history of early menopause, you may go through it earlier. ![]()
![]() Q. Is my women’s clinic open? A. At Georgia OBGYN, we adjusted the way we can see patients. But, the majority of patients will not be able to enter the women’s clinic. Instead, we are offering our services online through telehealth. This allows us to provide assistance, without putting your, and our, health at risk. Q. Will my insurance cover an appointment over the phone or computer? A. The majority of insurance carriers cover these types of appointments, for women’s clinic visits and others. In fact, many are adding additional coverages for online appointments in response to the pandemic. However, be sure to contact your insurance provider to confirm coverage and if copayment will still apply. Q. I’m having my baby soon. Can my partner come with me? A. For those who are nearing their due date, we follow Northside Hospital’s regulations on people in the delivery room. Right now, Northside’s policy is to allow one support person during your stay. To help keep people healthy, no family or children will be allowed to visit. Atlanta, GA women probably have many questions about seeking care at a women’s clinic or other types of offices. If you have a non essential appointment at Georgia OBGYN scheduled, we will contact you to reschedule for a different time. If you need care today, we also offer the option of an online appointment. If you have any questions about our office policies, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy. ![]() Both gynecology and obstetrics are in the realm of women’s health. But, they focus on two distinct areas. Gynecology refers to a physician who specializes in the health of women’s reproductive system. This includes breast exams, sexual health questions, and more. An obstetrician focuses on a very specific time in a women’s life. They provide care to women who are expecting and then deliver the baby. They will also provide care to the mother after birth before releasing her back to a gynecologist’s care. Women visit gynecology and obstetrics physicians for specific reasons. Women should visit a gynecologist at least once a year for their annual wellness exam. This provides your doctor the opportunity to check for signs of disease or cancer and answer any questions you have about your health or family planning. You should also make an appointment with your gynecologist if you notice a change in your period, have sudden, severe pain in your pelvic area, or are concerned you’ve been exposed to an STD or STI. You will visit an obstetrician only when you are expecting. You will have regular appointments throughout this exciting time with the goal of keeping you and your baby healthy. Atlanta and Alpharetta, GA women have many choices when it comes to gynecology and obstetrics care. We hope you’ll consider trusting the team at Georgia OBGYN with your care. We’ve been a part of the community for over 30 years, allowing us to cultivate long term relationships with our patients. Contact our office to learn more about our team and to schedule an appointment when it is safe to do so. ![]() Women’s specialists such as OBGYNs and gynecologists perform annual wellness exams for women. These exams are part of preventive health and check for signs of illness or disease. These visits often include a check of your vital signs, as well as breast and pelvic exams, and Pap Smears. During these yearly doctor’s visits, women’s specialists will often allow time for you to ask any questions. This can be about sexual health, birth control, or simply a question of whether or not something is considered normal. Believe it or not, women’s specialists also watch for signs of mental illness in their patients. Though they may not be able to provide care in this realm, they can help you find the care you need by referring you to another physician. If your mental state is impacted by a women’s issue such as changing hormones due to menopause or recently having had a baby, women’s specialists will work with you on options to manage these issues. Women’s specialists also know the importance of staying healthy. This includes maintaining a healthy weight, working out often, and getting enough rest. If you have concerns about maintaining a healthy lifestyle while you are expecting or going through a change, they can help. They can advise on the approximate amount of weight you should gain during pregnancy and what exercise is appropriate for you to do. The coronavirus pandemic, or COVID-19, has brought new recommendations for staying healthy as well. During these times, be sure to wash your hands with soapy water for at least 20 seconds after you have been outside, eaten, or touched a pet. You should also practice social distancing and remain six feet away from others while out. Atlanta, GA women can turn to the team of women’s specialists at Georgia OBGYN for care. Though we are currently asking patients to stay home, we are still here if you need us. We can schedule a Telemedicine appointment and determine if you need to enter the office. However, if you feel you have the coronavirus, be sure to consult your primary care physician for assistance. ![]() First trimester. Your first obstetrician appointment will occur around six to eight weeks. This appointment is often referred to as confirmation visit. During this time, your doctor will perform a pelvic exam and ultrasound. They will also review medical problems you have and discuss starting a vitamin regiment. Your next appointment with your obstetrician will be around the 10 week mark. This exam will include a little more. You’ll have a full physical exam, blood tests to determine your blood type, test for unusual antibodies, and more. Genetic carrier screening for certain diseases will be done as well. They will also discuss what you can expect during your pregnancy and the dos and don’ts. Second trimester. During your second trimester, you will start to see your obstetrician every approximately every four weeks. An ultrasound will be done earlier in the second semester to look for abnormalities and determine the gender of the baby, if you and your partner want to know. Third trimester. During your final weeks of pregnancy, you will visit your obstetrician every two weeks, before transitioning to weekly visits in the final stretch. They will begin checking your cervix with each visit and watching for signs of labor. They also perform a vaginal swap to check for Group B Strep bacteria before the baby is born. Atlanta and Alpharetta, GA women will visit their obstetrician regularly during pregnancy. Not only will you have periodic appointments, they are also the ones you should contact if you have any questions or concerns during this time. IN addition to monitoring your health, and your baby’s, they can also advise you on what you can do to stay healthy while expecting, what’s normal and what isn’t, and discuss your birth plan options with you. If you are expecting, please don’t hesitate to contact our office to schedule an appointment. |
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