What does a visit from an OBGYN involve?

Updated on October 5, 2021

A visit to the OBGYN, or any doctor, for that matter, can leave you feeling anxious. This feeling is completely normal. But, going to the doctor shouldn’t always be an experience that’s going to induce anxiety. Once you start to experience all the reproductive changes that a woman’s body goes through upon reaching your teenage years, a yearly visit to the OBGYN is needed.  

As you prepare for this visit, it pays to have some background information as to what it is that you should expect from your gynecologist in Queens, or wherever else you’re from, while you’re at it. That way, you don’t feel like an elementary kid lost during the first day of classes. No two visits will ever be the same, but at least you can somehow keep your expectations at bay. To help you out with everything that you should expect during the visit, read through below.

The Visit

An OB/GYN is a health expert who has received the training of being a gynaecologist as well as that of an obstetrician. This allows them to perform all these activities competently. In Winter Park, pregnancy is considered a delicate matter in which visits to the OBGYN are recommended before, during and after the pregnancy. Because the OB/GYN deals with your reproductive health, which naturally contains very sensitive and private parts of your body, it’s normal that you’re going to be under a lot of anxiety while you’re at it. But, this is an essential part of your health that you shouldn’t take for granted. 

Why do you need to visit an OB/GYN?

A visit to the OB/GYN is not only important for expectant mothers or new mothers but also for all females aged thirteen years and above. The wellness exams at the OB/GYNs office should be performed as early as adolescence to get important vaccines like HPV, test for STIs/STDs, cancer screenings, among other significant tests. OB/GYNs are involved in the examination of crucial aspects of your health such as childbirth, menopause and the use of contraception. Diagnosis and treatment of infections affecting the bladder, pelvic or urinary tract can also be done by an OB/GYN. In some cases, where surgical treatment procedure is required, the OB/GYN can competently handle the task.

Is visiting an OB/GYN an easy or hard task?

Many women can be hesitant to visit an OB/GYN since they handle very personal and delicate matters concerning the overall well being of an individual. The first time visiting an OB/GYN can cause feelings of embarrassment and nervousness associated with  the nature of the visit.The OB/GYN’s are very professional and will help to make you feel as comfortable as possible. In many females, the challenge is not only in physical exposure but also in verbally discussing private matters with the health specialist. This is why it is essential to find an OB/GYN that you trust and are comfortable with so you can discuss comprehensively what you should expect during the checkup.

How to identify an OBGYN you trust and are comfortable around

In addition to being skilled and well trained, the OB/GYN you choose should be someone you are at ease around and someone you can trust. OB/GYN’s deal with very private parts of the body, so selecting the right specialist should be done carefully after a lot of consideration. Before you immediately take in the services of one, it’s a good idea to learn more about each of your options of OB/GYNs, too. 

One of the best ways for you to start looking for an OBGYN that you can trust is through asking around from family and friends. These recommendations from family, friends, or your primary care physician should be helpful in assisting you in making an appropriate choice as opposed to randomly selecting a qualified specialist. Ask around from those that have also been regularly seeing an OBGYN, so that you know that you can absolutely take their word for it. Naturally, these family and friends won’t recommend anyone to you that they couldn’t trust. 

The physical examination requires the patient to undress fully so it is crucial to establish if you are most comfortable having a female or a male specialist. Prior to the examination, the patient can have a consultation with the OB/GYN where they inquire about the specialist’s expertise, experience in the field, and their views on reproductive matters like contraception and epidurals.

During the consultation, the OB/GYN will also clarify if the bill will be covered by your health insurance, if the insurance coverage grants you admitting privileges in their health facility, among others. That way, you can also select that OBGYN that you know is covered by insurance, so you can make the most of this. If you have an insurance that covers your medical expenses, then why shell out money from your own pocket for your check-ups.

The OB/GYN will also suggest things to avoid before the physical exam like douching or sexual intercourse for at least a day. 

Final Word 

Once you start to experience all of the changes that a woman’s body will go through, that’s when you know for sure that the time has come for you to see a gynecologist. Essentially, it usually entails a routine and regular check, yearly at that, so you’re going to want to work with that one which you know you can absolutely trust. If you were also terrified about seeing a gynecologist, the truth is that you shouldn’t be. Hopefully, with all you’ve read above about your OBGYN visit, some of the anxiety that comes with it should now be gone. 

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