Definition of OB/GYN

GYN is short for gynecology or for a gynecologist, a physician who specializes in treating diseases of the female reproductive organs. The word "gynecology" comes from the Greek gyno, gynaikos meaning woman + logia meaning study, so gynecology literally is the study of women. These days gynecology is focused largely on disorders of the female reproductive organs. An obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) is therefore a physician who both delivers babies and treats diseases of the female reproductive organs.

Midwifery practice as conducted by Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) is the independent management of women’s health care, focusing particularly on common primary care issues, family planning and gynecologic needs of women, pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period and the care of the newborn.(see Midwife Model of Care) The CNM practice within a health care system that provides for consultation, collaborative management or referral as indicated by the health status of the client. CNMs practice in accord with the Standards for the Practice of Midwifery, as defined by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM).

A commonly used abbreviation. OB is short for obstetrics or for an obstetrician, a physician who delivers babies. Obstetrics (from the Latin obstare, "to stand by") is the surgical specialty dealing with the care of women and their children during pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium. Midwifery is the non-medical equivalent.

Perinatologist: An obstetrical subspecialist concerned with the care of the mother and fetus at higher-than-normal risk for complications. Since the perinatal period, depending on the definition, starts at the 20th to 28th week of gestation and ends 1 to 4 weeks after birth, a perinatologist logically could be a obstetrician or pediatrician but, in practice, a perinatologist is an obstetrician.

Pediatrics (or paediatrics) is a branch of medical care that deals with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. The upper age limit ranges from age 14 to 18. A medical practitioner who specializes in this area is known as a pediatrician (also spelled paediatrician).