OB-GYN primary care

From the teen and childbearing years through menopause and beyond, you need personalized care for each life stage. At Advocate Health Care, our obstetricians and gynecologists (OB-GYNs) provide services and treatment tailored to your needs. We provide comprehensive care, including routine checkups, pregnancy management and treatment for gynecologic conditions.

Since we have locations all over the Chicago and suburban area, you’ll never need to wonder, “Can I find OB-GYN care near me?” You can use our online search tool and your ZIP code to find an OB-GYN near you.

What does OB-GYN mean?

OB-GYN stands for obstetrician-gynecologist. Obstetricians and gynecologists are specialists who diagnose, treat and manage reproductive health issues. OB-GYNs receive advanced training in:

• Gynecology: Care for a woman’s reproductive health at all stages
• Obstetrics: Pregnancy care, including preconception (pre-pregnancy) planning, labor and delivery, and postpartum (after delivery) care

Your Advocate OB-GYN also provides regular screenings and preventive care to keep you healthy. We also connect you with Advocate’s experienced specialists if you need advanced gynecologic, fertility or high-risk pregnancy care. All our OB-GYNs have access to your electronic medical records and health history, so they can provide seamless multidisciplinary care.

What is obstetrics?

Obstetricians specialize in pregnancy care, from prenatal to postnatal care. They often manage birth planning and delivery and also specialize in high-risk pregnancies.

Our obstetricians and their teams are by your side as you prepare for your new arrival. With specialty training in women’s health, our providers include doctors, advanced practice registered nurses and certified nurse-midwives.

Advocate obstetricians aim to help you give your baby the best possible start in life with services that include:

• Preconception planning
• Regular prenatal care throughout pregnancy
• Birth planning and delivery, whether vaginal or cesarean section, often with nurse-midwives
• Breastfeeding assistance with certified lactation consultants
• Postpartum care for new mothers
• Referrals to Advocate specialists for fertility treatment, genetic counseling and testing, fetal care and high-risk pregnancy care

What pregnancy-related conditions do obstetricians treat?

Advocate obstetricians manage and treat pregnancy-related conditions and conditions that develop during pregnancy, such as:

• Fetal growth issues
• Gestational diabetes
• Preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy)
• Structural heart disease and other heart conditions
• Thyroid disease

What is gynecology?

Gynecologists specialize in the female reproductive system, providing care for the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and breasts. They typically provide care throughout your life, from puberty to menopause.

The experienced gynecologists at Advocate support your health at every age with preventive care, education and advanced treatments. You may also see our specialty-trained physician assistants and nurse practitioners for gyn exams and preventive care.

Our reproduction and sexual health services include:

• Contraceptives (birth control) and family planning
• In-office procedures, such as colposcopy (exam of the cervix, vagina and vulva with a microscope)
• Perimenopause and menopause management
• Preventive care and screening tests, including gyn exams and Pap smears
• Treatment for incontinence, pelvic floor disorders, pelvic infections and uterine fibroids
• Referrals to Advocate specialists for pelvic floor rehabilitation, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and gynecologic cancer treatment

Is an OB-GYN primary care?

Both OB-GYNs and primary care providers offer many of the same services and can prescribe birth control, treat vaginal or urinary tract infections (UTI) and perform certain health screenings.

OB-GYNs are considered specialists who focus on women’s reproductive and sexual health whereas primary care doctors treat overall, whole-body health. OB-GYNs can often act as a primary care provider by conducting annual exams, breast exams and Pap smears. Primary care providers also offer some of these services, but it’s often recommended that patients have both types of doctors.

What procedures are performed by an OB-GYN?

Outside of preventive care, OB-GYNS perform minimally invasive surgeries for hysterectomies, tubal ligations and fibroid removal. They also provide outpatient treatments such as endometrial ablation, LEEP for abnormal cells and IUD insertions.

Comprehensive women’s health services across Chicago

Our Women’s Health Center  offers specialized care and services to women in Chicagoland, including:

• Breast health services, including mammograms
• Fertility evaluation and treatments
• Level III neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) that provide the highest level of care in Illinois for newborns
• Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery
• Nine birthing centers across Chicagoland
• Treatment for gynecologic cancers, such as cervical, ovarian and uterine cancer

What are the common conditions treated in obstetrics and gynecology?

Visit an OB-GYN near you to manage a wide range of conditions, including:

• Bowel and urinary incontinence
• Conditions that cause pain during sex, such as vaginal dryness
• Difficulties with menstruation, such as heavy menstrual bleeding and irregular periods
• Endometriosis and noncancerous growths, such as cervical polyps and uterine fibroids
• Pelvic floor disorders and organ prolapse
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and ovarian cysts
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and vaginal infections

Answers to your questions

Find answers to your questions at one of our classes or events that cover subjects related to childbirth and parenting. Our instructors are always happy to answer questions – or find the answers – for you.