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.[1] Gynecology is the medical practice dealing with the health of the female reproductive system (uterus, vagina, and ovaries).[2]

## Learning Outcomes

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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

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### Obstetrics

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#### General Obstetrics

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* 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

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* 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

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

#### Fetal Disorders

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

#### Complications of Delivery

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* 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

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* Ventouse Delivery
* Forceps Delivery
* Cesarean Section

#### Problems in the Puerperium

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

### Gynecology

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#### General Gynecology

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* 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

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* 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

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* Vulval Neoplasia
* Non-neoplastic Vulval Disease

#### Vaginal Disorders

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* Vaginal Neoplasia
* Non-neoplastic Vaginal Disease

#### Cervical Disorders

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* Cervical Neoplasia
* Non-neoplastic Cervical Disease

#### Uterine Disorders

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* Endometrial Neoplasia
* Non-neoplastic Uterine Disease
* Endometriosis

#### Fallopian Tube Disorders

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* Fallopian Tube Neoplasia
* Non-neoplastic Fallopian Tube Disease

#### Ovarian Disorders

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

#### Other Gynecological Problems

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* Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
* Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
* Infertility

### Genitourinary Medicine

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#### General Genitourinary Medicine

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

#### Urinary Disorders in Obstetrics and Gynecology

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* Female Urinary Incontinence
* Male Urinary Incontinence
* Genital Prolapse

#### Sexually Transmitted Infections

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

## Skills

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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

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#### Obstetrics

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

#### Gynecology

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

### Examinations

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* Obstetric Examination
* Gynecological Examination

### Analysis of Investigations

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#### Obstetric Investigations

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* Ultrasound Scan
* Cardiotocography

#### Gynecological Investigations

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* Hysteroscopy

## Case Based Learning

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### Gynecology

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* Case 1

## See Also

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* Reproductive health

## References

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1. ↑ Wikipedia:Obstetrics
2. ↑ Wikipedia:Gynecology