What is obstetrics and gynaecology?
Gynaecology is the medical field that studies all aspects relating to the functioning of the female sexual organs and hormones, covering both disorders and the treatment thereof. The gynaecologist is a woman’s first port of call at all the key stages of their sexual life, from puberty to menopause. The gynaecologist-obstetrician benefits from extensive surgical training, enabling them to intervene not only during childbirth but also to treat other conditions, ranging from benign tumours (breast cysts, endometriosis, etc.) to cancer (breast, uterus, ovarian), using functional urogyneacological or pelvic surgery. Some physicians specialise exclusively in breast surgery (senologists), operating on and reconstructing the affected breast, if necessary.
What follow-up treatment does a gynaecologist-obstetrician provide?
In collaboration with their team (midwives in particular), the surgeon monitors pregnancy and the correct development of the foetus. They supervise the delivery, and may intervene if required. In the event of hypofertility or infertility, couples wanting to have a child may also turn to the gynaecologist-obstetrician for a solution that uses reproductive techniques such as ovulation stimulation, artificial insemination or in vitro fertilisation. During pregnancy, the surgeon is responsible for prenatal diagnosis, which involves detecting any condition affecting the unborn child prior to birth (malformations, genetic diseases, etc.). Various test can be carried out to determine whether the foetus is a carrier of a pathology, including foetal ultrasound, echocardiography, amniocentesis, MRI, etc. If a condition requiring surgery is detected (removal of a tumour, uterine or breast surgery, etc.), the gynaecologist-obstetrician will meet with the patient beforehand (as part of the preoperative consultation), perform the surgery with the team and monitor the patient’s progress during recovery. In addition to monitoring pregnancy and performing surgery, the gynaecologist-obstetrician may also be called upon to perform medical procedures such as monitoring the uterine cervix, placing contraceptive implants or carrying out terminations.
How to choose a gynaecologist
Trust between the gynaecologist and the patient is crucial. Elsan’s private clinics and hospitals offer highly efficient gynaecological services and attentive practitioners.
How to choose a maternity unit
Maternity is a service associated with gynaecology and obstetrics. To choose the maternity unit that best suits your needs, it is better to be well informed even before pregnancy. In our 34 maternity units, we are constantly innovating and improving our services with regard to optimal safety, tailored support for expectant mothers, cocooning, preparation for childbirth and parenthood, medically assisted procreation, “dad friendly”, etc. We aim to give future parents the best possible experience, notably through the Materniteam programme.