OB vs. GYN. What’s the difference? Katy doctor answers

While obstetrics and gynecology are two different kinds of medical specialty, they are often lumped together because of they both deal with the female body. Physicians are often trained in both obstetrics and gynecology, and they offer both services to their patients in an OB/GYN practice. This is helpful for many women who begin to see their physician long before they’re ready to become pregnant. While both obstetrics and gynecology are often medically necessary for many women, there are some important differences. Here, Dr. Taryll Jenkins of Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Medicine explains the difference.

By definition, an obstetrician is a physician who specializes in caring for pregnant women. A gynecologist is a physician who cares for a woman’s reproductive system. Therefore, gynecology tends to be an overarching term that includes care for any condition or disease that affects a woman’s reproductive system, while obstetrics is limited to the time that a woman is pregnant.

A gynecologist performs a variety of procedures including annual pelvic exams and pap smears, treatment for uterine or vaginal infections, hysterectomy, colposcopy, laparoscopy, and tubal ligation. Obstetricians perform regular checkups during pregnancy. During the first several months, patients will visit the obstetrician every four weeks. The checkups will become more frequent as the pregnancy progresses. Obstetricians may also perform ultrasounds and will deliver the baby either vaginally or via cesarean. While an obstetrician does not treat diseases or reproductive health problems, they do manage complications that occur during pregnancy and childbirth such as ectopic pregnancies, pre-eclampsia, early labor, or any other conditions that could put the baby or mother in danger.

Dr. Taryll Jenkins of Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine is pleased to offer his Katy area patients the best gynecology and obstetric care. Because he is trained and experienced in both specialties, patients can turn to him for all of their female care needs – from annual pap smears and treatment for yeast infections to pregnancy care. For more information about the services that he provides, call Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine today.

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Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine
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We offer general care, gynecology, and obstetrics services that span all stages of a woman's life. Dr. Taryll L. Jenkins, MD, received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and his Doctorate of Medicine from Meharry Medical College School of Medicine, TN. He completed his residency training at the University of Texas and Hermann Hospital, TX and is Board-certified from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, with years of research experience.

Having graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Chemistry in 2011, Dr. Stephanie Roy received her Doctor of Medicine Degree in 2015 from the University of Texas Medical Branch. Today, she is a leading Board-certified physician who works hard to provide you and your family with high-quality services. In addition to spending time at the practice, Dr. Roy possesses extensive volunteer experience in the community. She was also a tutor at the Medical Careers Diversity Program in 2012 and, since then, has spent her free time volunteering for the St. Vincent’s Clinic.

Dr. Tiffany Ikwuagwu is passionate about caring for the diverse communities in Katy, TX. Having completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Houston, her medical degree at the Baylor College of Medicine, and her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the McGovern Medical School, she worked as principal investigator on a research project with Dr. Nana Ankumah at UT Houston. A member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Dr. Ikwuagwu has served in several leadership roles and has made many contributions to the community.

Yara Ramirez, MD, earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University and her doctorate in medicine from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, where she also completed her residency. She won the Resident Teaching Award from UTMB’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for two consecutive years.
Dr. Ramirez has researched extensively on many obstetrics-related topics. She has been a Junior Fellow Representative for the UTMB Residency Program and a Medical Student Education Committee Member at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has volunteered for various local and foreign community programs. Her fluency in Spanish and French is an asset to her organization.

Nadia Alexander is a Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center. With seven years of experience in women’s health and a focus on obstetrics and ambulatory gynecology (vaginitis, UTI, and vaginal bleeding), she provides quality, compassionate care to patients in various stages of reproductive life. She is fluent in English and Spanish and is the lead contact for our Telehealth service.