Gynaecology and obstetrics.
Maternal health and menopause.

Define the topic before choosing a source

Gynaecology reading may address a life stage, a public-health question or an aspect of clinical practice. Making that focus explicit helps you choose an appropriate resource and recognise what falls outside its scope.

The WHO defines maternal health in relation to pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. Its information on menopause places that transition within the life course. These offer complementary ways to organise a library, rather than replacing professional guidelines.

Areas to guide your reading

• Gynaecology foundations: terminology, anatomy and physiology as a basis for understanding more specific texts.
• Obstetrics and maternal health: sources that identify the stage and care setting they address.
• Menopausal transition: material distinguishing general explanation, individual experience and evaluation of interventions.

How to read a recommendation in context

Before extracting a recommendation, identify the publishing institution, date, population and scope. Check whether the document explains its methodology and points to an update. A short news item may omit conditions that appear in the full document.

To compare two resources, record their purpose, audience, edition, references and limitations. Patient education and professional guidance serve different functions; they are not interchangeable versions of the same information.

Pay attention to language

When taking notes, preserve the distinction between a possibility, an association and a recommendation. Avoid turning conditional wording into an absolute claim. Also note whether a conclusion comes from an individual study or a synthesis of several studies.

For help selecting formats, see the medical publications guide. Questions about medicines documentation have their own route in pharmacy.