Is it permissible for a woman to deal with a male gynecologist specializing in obstetrics, when there are female doctors who are specialists and experienced, or is that reprehensible? And is it permissible to generally deal with a doctor of the opposite sex when a female doctor is available?

It is forbidden for a Muslim woman to be treated by a male obstetrician if there are female doctors available, even if they are non-Muslims. This is because women's ailments require the uncovering of 'awrah (private parts), which is not permissible except in cases of necessity. Here, the necessity is absent due to the availability of specialized female doctors.