Obstetrics and Gynecology: The Supporters of Women Through Every Stage of Life

 By: Dhyan Patel

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Note: This article is part of a student-run educational series on medical specialties, based on research and/or shadowing (in person or virtual), in order to educate other students who are interested in healthcare careers and may lack the ability to shadow specialists in their areas.

Background

There are a few specialties in the medical field that cover as many moments of life as Obstetrics and Gynecology (also often known as OB-GYN) do. OB-GYNs may help women bring new life into the world or even help manage complex reproductive health issues. OB-GYNs play a pivotal role in caring for women’s physical and emotional health. OB-GYNs build long-lasting relationships with their patients as they are there for one of their life’s happiest moments: childbirth. They may even be there during their most challenging moments such as infertility or illness. 

So, what do they do?

OB-GYNs specialize in two main areas. The first being obstetrics, which focuses on pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care. The other is gynecology, which deals with the health of the female reproductive system which includes the uterus, ovaries, and breasts. As a result, an OB-GYNs work can change dramatically every day. One day they might be delivering a baby in the labor and delivery unit. On another day they could be performing surgery to remove ovarian cysts. On another day they might meet with their patients to discuss menstrual health or family planning.


Some of the other common procedures and services that they may perform are:

  • Prenatal care and monitoring during pregnancy

  • Delivering babies (both vaginal and cesarean births)

  • Routine pelvic exams and pap smears

  • Managing menstrual disorders and hormonal imbalances

  • Performing surgeries such as hysterectomies or laparoscopic procedures

  • Providing contraception and fertility treatments

Additional Information

OB-GYNs are required to pay careful attention to both the mother and baby as they must balance the health of two lives simultaneously. During pregnancy, they monitor fetal growth and manage complications like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes. They also must ensure that delivery is safe. They often rely on technologies such as ultrasound imaging, fetal monitoring, and genetic testing in order to provide care.

Required education and training

Similar to other medical careers, OB-GYNs must first earn a bachelor's degree and complete medical school. After that, they must enter a four-year residency program in Obstetrics and Gynecology. During their residency, they rotate through labor and delivery, gynecologic surgery, oncology, and reproductive endocrinology. This gives them experience with everything from delivering babies to managing high risk pregnancies and performing surgical procedures.


After residency, some people may choose to specialize further in areas such as maternal-fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, urogynecology, and more.

Importance

OB-GYNs don’t only care for a woman's reproductive health, but they also impact various parts of their lives. They may promote preventive care, support mothers with motherhood, and even advocate for women’s health issues. They may also provide emotional reassurance and education to their patients, which helps their patients make informed decisions about their bodies. As a result, OB-GYNs improve the lives of families and communities across generations and are one of the most important doctors in the medical field.

References

AMA. (2024, January 24). Physician specialty: obstetrician/gynecologist (OB-GYN). American Medical Association. https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/career-development/physician-specialty-obstetriciangynecologist-ob-gyn#:~:text=An%20obstetrician/gynecologist%20has%20expertise,reconstructive%20surgery%20and%20family%20planning.

American College of Surgeons. (2025). Obstetrics and Gynecology. ACS. https://www.facs.org/for-medical-professionals/education/programs/so-you-want-to-be-a-surgeon/section-iii-surgical-specialties/obstetrics-and-gynecology/

Higginson, A. (2024, August 16). Gynecology and Obstetrics: What’s the Difference? Grand Peaks. https://grandpeaks.org/gynecology-and-obstetrics-whats-the-difference/

KidsHealth. (2022). Health Care Providers: Obstetricians & Gynecologists. Kidshealth.org. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/hcp-ob-gyn.html

Medschoolcoach. (2021, April 2). Obstetrics and Gynecology with Dr. Delores Williams - Virtual Pre-Med Education by MedSchoolCoach. Virtual Pre-Med Education by MedSchoolCoach. https://shadowing.medschoolcoach.com/lessons/obstetrics-and-gynecology-with-dr-delores-williams/

NYC Health+ Hospitals. (2025). Radware Captcha Page. Nychealthandhospitals.org. https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/southbrooklynhealth/residencies-and-fellowships/obstetrics-and-gynecology-residency-program/#:~:text=to%20the%20specialty.-,Curriculum,and%20excel%20in%20laparoscopic%20procedures.

Ross University School of Medicine. (2023). What Is OB/GYN? The Difference Between Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Ross University School of Medicine. https://medical.rossu.edu/about/blog/what-is-an-ob-gyn

St. George's University. (2023, October 17). What Is an OB/GYN? A Look at gynecology and obstetrics. St. George\'S University School of Medicine. https://www.sgu.edu/school-of-medicine/blog/what-is-an-ob-gyn/


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