Unfortunately, many women forget or neglect to schedule their yearly OB/GYN checkups, including several preventive care measures that can save your life. Here’s a quick rundown on the importance of seeing your OB/GYN.

Why You Need an OB/GYN

There are numerous types of doctors and specialists you’ll likely see in your lifetime, but which ones are most important for all women to see? While it may seem like your primary care physician is all you need, in reality, there are several reasons why you need an OB/GYN as well. 

Primary care physicians are used to seeing a variety of patients of all ages. From migraines to flu shots or constipation, primary care doctors have seen it all. Specialists are ideal for when you want a doctor who may be more focused on a particular part of the body and treatment. 

An obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN), focusing on the female reproductive system, is essential for life-saving preventive care in addition to a general doctor. An OB/GYN practices the area of medicine associated with reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbirth. 

Some doctors practice only gynecology (reproductive health), and some practice only obstetrics (pregnancy, labor, and delivery), but most specialists practice both areas. This is great for patients who want a specialist they can visit for years to come. 

When you ideally start to visit an OB/GYN as a teenager or young adult, that doctor will be able to continue guiding you through conceiving a child, pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Your OB/GYN should be someone you trust, someone you can comfortably come back to every year during each stage of your life.

OB/GYNs may evaluate infertility, abnormal Pap smears, endometriosis, breast disorders, and incontinence; provide prenatal consultations, and monitor high-risk pregnancies and labor and delivery phases, including performing a cesarean section.

It’s typically recommended that teenagers see a gynecologist even before they turn 21. Although women technically do not need a Pap smear until they are 21, many specialists suggest that teenagers see a gynecologist early to discuss periods, sexual health, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Besides annual appointments, you should see your OB/GYN if you run into any problems, such as painful periods or UTI symptoms. If you’re thinking of becoming pregnant, your OB/GYN can discuss prenatal care with you. 

Once you’ve become pregnant, you’ll see your doctor for routine prenatal care. Your first appointment will usually be after you’ve tested positive for being pregnant—about eight weeks after your last period. 

If there are no concerns along the way, you’ll schedule monthly visits during the bulk of the pregnancy, and frequent visits as the due date gets closer. You should also see your OB/GYN after the baby’s birth to discuss your postnatal care, including the healing process, emotional and physical adjustment to parenthood, and future birth control options. 

OB/GYN in South Miami: Dr. Susan Fox

Dr. Susan Fox’s Center for Women strives to make each patient feel welcomed and secure.

Backed by our medical professionals team, Dr. Susan Fox is an OB/GYN ready to provide the best gynecological care for women with a variety of unique needs in the South Miami area.

Dr. Fox’s years of experience in the field has allowed her to construct a devoted group of professionals who will go the extra mile to ensure their patients are completely satisfied after each appointment. 

Our team never hesitates to answer any questions a patient may have as thoroughly as possible and work with each patient to find solutions to any issues they may be experiencing. 

Dr. Fox holds memberships with various renowned organizations such as the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, the American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, and the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health.

Her dedication to OB/GYN and preventative healthcare practices shines through, as Dr. Fox was among the first Obstetrician/Gynecologists to be trained in using the Implanon birth control method.

Whether you are searching for a dependable OB/GYN specialist for routine gynecological care or a knowledgeable practitioner to perform pelvic reconstructive surgery, Dr. Susan Fox’s Center for Women is your most secure option. 

Your wellness is of the utmost importance to us, and we will do everything within our power to keep our patients happy and healthy.

Contact Dr. Susan Fox’s Center for Women today to be treated by one of the top Obstetrician/Gynecologists in South Miami during your first exam!