What is Obstetrics & Gynaecology?

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Obstetrics and Gynaecology are two intimately related medical disciplines, commonly known as O&G or OBGYN.
 

Obstetrics is the branch of medicine that deals with human birth. It has been considered to be the primal and the most ancient medical art. The term obstetrics is derived from the Latin word for midwife and is of relatively recent origin. Until the late nineteenth century the word midwifery was generally used. Presently, a specialist doctor who practises obstetrics is known as an obstetrician while a nurse who takes care of a woman in pregnancy and birth is known as a midwife. Gynaecology is the study and management of diseases affecting female organs. A specialist doctor who practises gynaecology is a gynaecologist.

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In Singapore, as in many parts of the world, the training and certification of these two fields are done simultaneously. A doctor who has successfully completed this specialist training is therefore an obstetrician and gynaecologist.