Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Anika S
- Dec 28, 2022
- 2 min read
What is OB/GYN?
Gynecology, by definition, is the branch of medicine that works with body systems specific to women’s bodies, including diseases regarding their reproductive system, whereas obstetrics refers to caring for women, specifically during childbirth and pregnancy.
The Steps:
In order to become an OB/GYN, you have an extremely rigorous but rewarding path ahead of you. It begins with graduating from high school, which is then followed up with getting a bachelor’s degree in college. The degree of choice is completely up to you, as it can vary from an art degree to a science degree, as long as they obtain a bachelor’s degree. After getting the degree, you must then get into medical school and attend your medical school of choice for 4 years. This will then prepare you for a 4 year residency, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. After the residency, you must again study for 3 years if they want to specialize in subspecialties (which will be listed below), finally bringing them to the final step. After finishing their studies, you will take the specialty board certification exam, which is supervised by The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Once they pass this, they are officially certified! Additionally, in order to retain this certification, you must retake the test every 6 years.
Subspecialties:
Maternal-fetal medicine: This subspecialty focuses on the health of the mother and their fetus before and after birth. This would include managing pregnancies that are at high risk with coming across issues and problems during the birth, or with the baby itself.
Reproductive endocrinology and infertility: This subspecialty works on helping women deal with both the physical and mental aspect of fertility issues. Physical aspects would include performing different treatments, such as egg freezing, and mental aspects would include helping women deal with the anxiety and stress that comes with the lack of being able to get pregnant.
Gynecologic oncology: This subspecialty specializes in cancers that are specific to a woman’s body, such as ovarian cancer or vaginal cancer. Working in this specialty would require being able to diagnose and treat these diseases.
Female pelvic medicine and reproductive surgery: This specialty requires great skill, as it focuses on severe pelvic disorders, such as fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Working in this specialty would mean conducting surgeries to help treat and fix these disorders.
Complex Family Planning: Complex Family Planning really differs from patient to patient, as working in this field could mean conducting an abortion, or offering her a birth control plan, or helping her deal with the loss of a patient. It’s really about helping the patient decide what the best option is for them and their family.
Additional notes:
Going into the OB/GYN field means interacting with people that are going through all sorts of troubles, and you must be able to communicate well with them! Even on days where you might not feel your best, it’s your job to help improve the moods of others. One of the hardest aspects is delivering bad news to patients, but it is part of the job, and something you will eventually get used to. Good luck on your journey!
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