Obstetrics deals with women’s health management related to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. Postpartum care is the period after childbirth.
Gynaecology refers to medical care for the female body, focusing on sexual and reproductive organs. Regular check-ups and health screenings with your gynaecologist can help prevent many undesired cancers, diseases, and other illnesses by allowing for early detection.
Dr Adam’s medical practice offers an array of services, including:
Obstetrics
The first step you should take when thinking of starting a family. Make an appointment with Dr Adam to plan for your future pregnancy. You will discuss family history, risk factors, medical conditions, and lifestyle. This appointment is an important part of a planned and healthy pregnancy.
Your obstetrician might request a blood test to confirm a pregnancy. This is the most reliable way to confirm that you are pregnant. Home pregnancy tests can sometimes produce a false negative result in the early stages of pregnancy.
Prenatal or antenatal care refers to the time when you are pregnant before giving birth. You will have medical check-ups during the various stages of your pregnancy. During these visits with Dr Adam, you will discuss how your pregnancy is progressing. She will also provide you with information and advice to ensure optimal health for you and your baby.
As your pregnancy progresses, an ultrasound will be part of your visits with Dr Adam. An ultrasound creates an image of your baby in your womb. You will hear your baby’s heartbeat. Dr Adam will measure your baby’s head, spine, limbs, etc to check your baby’s growth and development. During your pregnancy, Dr Adam will refer you to an accredited foetal medical unit for anomaly & detailed ultrasounds. This is done at 12 and 20 weeks respectively.
This is an outdated term that refers to a vaginal birth without any need for medical intervention. Many women regard a natural birth as any vaginal birth. Even if medication such as pitocin or an epidural is used during the birthing process.
A C Section is when your doctor makes a surgical cut in your abdomen and womb. Your baby then exits through this cut instead of through the birthing canal (dilated cervix and pelvis). You may request a c-section, or it is scheduled during an emergency when a natural birth is not safe for you and/or your baby.
Is a natural birth after you’ve had a C-section for a previous birth. Chat with your doctor about the risks and benefits of a VBAC. Each woman’s circumstances are different, and your obstetrician will assess your case individually.
Once you have given birth, Dr Adam will schedule an appointment with you +/- 6 weeks later. During this consult, your doctor will check that you have recovered and discuss any concerns you may have. This may include options for contraception and a pap smear.
Infertility treatment starts with a basic infertility workup (gathering all necessary data). This helps determine all reasons a couple may have difficulty conceiving. This includes taking a full medical history, a physical examination, and any additional lab tests. For women, these tests focus on ovarian reserves, ovulatory function, and structural abnormalities. Ovulation induction makes use of hormonal therapies to stimulate egg production and release.
Gynaecology
Is when a woman or couple makes an informed decision about how many children they want to have and when to have them. They may use various contraceptive methods to prevent pregnancy. Because all women are different, different contraceptives will have different effects on you. It is best to consult with Dr Adam about the best contraceptive method for you.
A colposcopy procedure checks abnormal changes in your cervix. These abnormalities are first picked up in a pap smear. It is then further investigated with a special magnifying device called a colposcope. Dr Adam can perform a colposcopy procedure in her rooms.
Your gynae will insert a thin, lighted telescope device with a camera into your uterus (womb). This allows them to view the inside of your uterus on a screen. There are two types of hysteroscopies: Diagnostic and Operative.
Diagnostic hysteroscopy is used to identify the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding. It may also confirm the results of other tests.
Operative hysteroscopy is used by your gynae to remove abnormalities that may cause abnormal bleeding.
This surgical procedure is used to remove a thin layer of tissue that lines your uterus (endometrium). This procedure is used to treat heavy or prolonged periods of menstrual bleeding.
A surgical diagnostic procedure that will allow your doctor to examine your organs inside your abdomen. In female health, a gynaecologic laparoscopy (spelling) is used to look inside the pelvic area. They make a small incision instead of open surgery. It can identify conditions such as endometriosis. With other surgical instruments, it can be used to remove ovarian cysts, perform tubal Ligation (‘tie your tubes’ as a method for contraception), and hysterectomies. Dr Adam will refer you to an accredited laparoscopic surgeon for these procedures.
A pap smear is used to screen for diseases such as cervical cancer. Dr Adams can perform a pap smear in her consulting rooms in about 10-20 minutes. Your doctor will take a sample of cells from your cervix using a cervical brush. This sample is then sent to the lab to run tests. Dr Adam will receive the results back from the lab within a few days. We recommend to have this test be done every year. Talk to your gynaecologist about the risks and benefits of cervical cancer screening.
The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. A metabolic dysfunction or hormonal imbalance that affects 1 in 10 women may cause it. The name PCOS itself is misleading, as a woman does not need to have a cyst to be diagnosed with PCOS. Although PCOS cannot be cured, there are many treatment options available to help you manage life with PCOS. Talk to your gynae about the best treatment for you.
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that appear in or around the ovaries. Most cysts are harmless and disappear on their own after a few months. Sometimes, ovarian cysts can cause pain and discomfort, can grow to be very large, or become cancerous. In these cases, surgery may be deemed necessary. Ovarian cysts differ from PCOS in that PCOS results in a woman having a large hormonal imbalance.
This usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55. It occurs when your menstrual cycle stops due to lower hormone levels. This is a natural progression for all women that is accompanied by some unpleasant symptoms. Many of these symptoms will go away. If you are struggling to cope, speak to your doctor about treatments to help you manage and feel better.
Endometriosis is a medical condition that occurs when tissue, like that found in the lining of your uterus (endometrium), is found growing outside of your uterus. During your menstrual cycle, your endometrium sheds and results in the blood that gets expelled during your period. With endometriosis, this lining that is formed in areas other than your uterus has nowhere to go. As a result, you may experience severe cramping, heavy periods, and bloating, amongst other symptoms.
The content here is intended to educate on women’s health issues and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical conditions listed here. Please book a consultation with Dr Adam before acting on any information read online to discuss your concerns.