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Atlantic OB/GYN
Relationships First
By Jennifer Peacock
There’s someone who will guide a girl through her growing-up years, who will be there with her when she reaches motherhood, who will offer her advice as she ages.
Yes, Mom. But someone else, too.
The role of an obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) in a woman’s life can’t be overstated.
“It’s about long-term relationships. I am taking care of them during their adolescent years, in pregnancy and delivery, menopause and post-menopause. They will even bring in their young daughters,” Vanita Patel, MD, says. “It’s a very intimate bond between a woman and her gynecologist. They share a different kind of relationship than with any other doctor.”
Dr. Patel recently established her own practice, Atlantic OB/GYN Associates P.C. She has been serving the community for three years. After attending medical school in India, she completed a four-year residency at North Shore University Hospital on Long Island. She, her husband Hitesh (also a physician) and their two children moved down to the Jersey Shore.
“I always wanted to become a doctor,” Dr. Patel says. “Delivering babies, it was always my interest.”
Having a female OB/GYN definitely has its pluses, Dr. Patel says.
“Absolutely most women are more comfortable coming to a female doctor. We’re dealing with a very sensitive area, and with special concerns like sexual issues, menstrual issues ... People don’t ever get used to the exam. You have to talk to the patient and relax them before the exam. When you have a solo practitioner, the woman knows she’s not going to see another physician. There is that consistency in care. I’ll be taking their care throughout the pregnancy; I’ll be there for the delivery.”
But Dr. Patel does more than that. Atlantic OB/GYN Associates offers complete gynecological exams including breast and vaginal exams, Pap smears, sexual transmitted disease (STD) and genital human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. Dr. Patel offers intrauterine device (IUD) and other contraceptives. Minor outpatient procedures such as colposcopies, biopsies and cryosurgery of cervix are done on site. An ultrasound machine will soon be on site. Surgeries such as laparoscopies, endometrial ablations and hysterectomies are performed at Ocean Medical Center, although the least-invasive options are always exhausted before Dr. Patel resorts to surgery.
She also provides complete prenatal care during the pregnancy. Fetal monitoring, especially for high risk patients, is done in the office. She delivers at Ocean Medical Center and Jersey Shore Medical Center.
And despite recent controversies over the vaccine, Gardasil, which claims to prevent infection of certain types of HPV, which causes genital warts and cervical cancer, is still recommended by Dr. Patel.
As women’s bodies change, so do their questions and needs. Dr. Patel suggests young girls should see their gynecologist if they have any menstrual irregularities, concerns about sexually transmitted diseases or want to have safe sex and contraceptive counseling. Pap smears should be started three years after they become sexually active or turn 21 years of age.
Annual gynecologic exams and Pap smears are recommended in all women after age 21. Older women should see their gynecologist for menstrual irregularities as well. Women 40 and older should also start having mammograms.
Women in menopause and after should continue to have annual exams. Breasts and ovaries should be regularly checked, as the incidence for ovarian cancer increases after age 50. Osteoporosis, incontinence and prolapse are also concerns during and after menopause.
For Dr. Patel, being such an integral part of women’s lives brings immense personal satisfaction. “When a woman gives birth, it’s one of the happiest moments in their life. To be present and be a part of those happiest moments brings me joy, no matter whether it’s in the middle of night.”
Let Dr. Vanita Patel and her professional, friendly staff be part of your life.
Atlantic OB/GYN Associates is located at 1631 Rt. 88 West, Suite A, in Brick, across from Ocean Medical Center. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 732-202-7458 or visit http://atlantic-obgyn.com/. Dr. Patel participates in most major insurance plans. She has privileges at Ocean Medical Center, Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Kimball Medical Center. New patients are being accepted. Office hours are by appointment. Weekend appointments are available.