OB/GYNs consult with patients just prior to baby's delivery.
Obstetricians are medical doctors who specialize in women's health and pregnancy. They are the doctors responsible for delivering babies when they are due. Many obstetricians also work as gynecologists, which are doctors who specialize in the care of the reproductive system of women. The two fields go hand-in-hand, and many doctors who work in these fields are commonly referred to as OB/GYNs. These doctors need to have extensive medical training.
Medical School
Obstetricians must attend medical school and obtain either a Doctor of Medicine or a Doctor of Osteopath degree in order to qualify for practice in this field. This comes after the completion of an undergraduate degree and acceptance into medical school, which is largely based on undergraduate grades and the scores obtained on the Medical College Admission Test. Medical school takes approximately four years to complete, and generally consists of two years of advanced studies in the medical sciences, and two years of clinical rotations, learning about the medical profession through extensive hands-on training.
Licensing
Obstetricians have to first be licensed as general medical doctors before they can go on to receive the remainder of their training in the obstetrics and gynecology fields. Licensing takes place in the state in which a doctor plans to work or pursue a residency. Aspiring obstetricians can apply to take their state's medical licensing exam just prior to finishing medical school in order to prevent any potential lapse in credentialing that would prevent them from practicing medicine and pursuing a residency upon the completion of medical school.
Residency
Obstetricians follow medical school with an additional period of training known as a residency. Residencies for obstetricians generally take about four years, and allow aspiring OB/GYNs to learn through hands-on experience under the direction of a board certified OB/GYN. Residencies in this field generally cover a wide range of studies related to women's health, such as gynecology, obstetrics, preventative care, ultrasonography and gynecological oncology.
Board Certification
The final major qualification for becoming an obstetrician is to pass a board certification examination administered by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Board certification indicates that aspiring obstetricians have met all of the highest standards in the field of medical practice and have met all of the necessary experience and training requirements. The board requires that obstetricians pass both written and oral board certification examinations in order to be certified. Certified obstetricians can go on to seek further certification in other areas of specialization, such as maternal-fetal medicine or female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery.
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