At some point or another, you’ve probably gotten sick or hurt over the weekend or at night, when your primary care provider’s office was closed. In that situation, an urgent care clinic can be a good option for seeking care.
Where should you turn if you’re pregnant, though, or experiencing other women’s health-related symptoms? Below, we shed some light on the differences between urgent care and OB/GYN urgent care to help you learn about your options and which type of care is best for your needs.
When an Urgent Care Can Help
It would be nice if illnesses and injuries never occurred, or at least happened on weekdays during your medical provider’s office hours, but that isn’t the reality. All too often, you wake up with a sore throat on a Saturday or your child sprains an ankle during basketball practice after school.
Neither of those situations is life threatening or puts you at risk for long-term health consequences, so you don’t need to head to the emergency department. While you may still want to see a health care provider, their office isn’t open, either. A walk-in clinic, sometimes called an urgent care clinic, can be the solution.
These clinics offer care for non-emergency health issues, including minor injuries and illnesses. Essentially, they provide many of the same services as your primary care provider but with extended hours on weekdays and weekend hours.
Urgent care clinics can provide care for:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Ear infections
- Headaches
- Minor cuts and burns
- Rash
- Sore throat, including strep throat
- Sprains
- Stomach bugs
- Urinary tract infections
- Viruses, including the common cold, the flu, RSV and COVID-19
In many cases, providers at an urgent care clinic can diagnose and treat these conditions on-site. In some cases, they may refer you to another medical provider for follow-up care or recommend you seek emergency care.
Find a University Health ExpressMed walk-in care clinic near you.
When OB/GYN Urgent Care Is a Better Option
While many urgent care clinics offer care for basic gynecological health issues, such as a UTI or a yeast infection, it’s sometimes better to seek specialized OB/GYN urgent care. That’s the case for pregnant patients who are experiencing unexpected symptoms or an illness that could cause pregnancy complications.
OB/GYN urgent care can also be a helpful resource for patients of any age who are experiencing disconcerting gynecological symptoms, such as severe pelvic pain that could be a sign of a serious health issue.
OB/GYN urgent care offers care for:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge
- Breast problems such as infection
- Menstrual irregularities
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Pregnancy concerns
- Urinary tract infections
- Vaginitis
- Yeast infections
Benefits of OB/GYN Urgent Care
Seeking care in this setting allows patients to be diagnosed and treated by providers who have specialized training in the unique needs of women — and when necessary, in how pregnancy affects the body.
Other benefits of OB/GYN urgent care include:
- Exam rooms designed specifically for gynecologic exams
- Real-time explanation of ultrasound results
- Experienced providers who can recognize signs of gynecological health emergencies, such as a pregnancy complication
OB/GYN Care at University Health
Our Women’s & Children’s Hospital is home to San Antonio’s only 24/7 center for OB/GYN emergencies.
We offer care for women at all ages and stages of life, including pregnancy and after menopause. In cases where the diagnosis for your OB/GYN emergency may be more complex, you will have easy access to our other specialists who can complete your assessment and walk you through a care plan.
