OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
Within gynaecology procedures include:
- carrying out surgical interventions following miscarriage
- treating abnormal bleeding and polyps
- major surgery for gynaecological cancers
- minimal access surgery for problems including endometriosis
Keyhole or minimal access surgery is now commonplace and has many advantages.
Assisted reproduction (fertility treatment) has helped many thousands of women have a family, which would not have been possible in the last generation.
Obstetrics
Within obstetrics, most of the care of low risk mothers and uncomplicated deliveries are performed by midwives.
About 35% of births are undertaken by an obstetrician, usually for more complex cases or if the baby becomes distressed during labour. Their work includes:
- using instruments to assist delivery – including forceps or a ventouse (vacuum-assisted delivery)
- performing caesarean sections, either as a planned or emergency procedure