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what's an OBGYN?

what does an OBGYN do? what does it take to become an OBGYN? how can an OBGYN help people?

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Marisel Rosa’s Answer

Hi Elizabeth, an Obstetrician/Gynecologist is a physician that cares for females. After medical school we train in a residency program for 4 years to become a general OB/GYN. OB/GYNs care for patients who can be as young as 12 years old to women who are in their 90's. The OB part takes care of women throughout their pregnancies and deliveries of their baby or babies. While the gynecologist part takes care of girls and women who are not pregnant. OB/GYNs also do procedures in the office and surgeries in the operating rooms.

Now there are OB/GYNs who become "subspecialists". They train for an extra 3 years beyond residency (called a fellowship) to become:
1) Perinatologists or maternal-fetal-medicine (MFM) doctors care for women who are considered to have high risk pregnancies because they may have genetic conditions, or chronic illnesses or conditions that make it risky for them to carry a pregnancy. They help these women carry the babies to preemie birth or full term if possible depending on what is safest for both the patient and the baby(ies).
2) Gynecologist oncologists (GYN/Onc) will care for women who have female cancers that do not include the breasts. Most of the time they perform complex surgeries to remove the cancer(s).
3) A Reproductive Endocrinologist and infertility (REI) cares for women who want to get pregnant but have difficulty for many reasons, including but not limited to genetic conditions, hormonal problems, anatomical issues and acquired illnesses or conditions. These doctors are known for performing surgeries and state of the art procedures that can help these women get pregnant. Once the patient is between 7-9 weeks pregnant, the REI physician will refer the patient back to either her general OB/GYN or a perinatologist (or an MFM).

Marisel Rosa recommends the following next steps:

Find an OB/Gyn who you can shadow in the office and the OR, volunteer at a hospital as a candy striper where you can help in the labor and delivery, the postpartum unit or even in the nursery. Patients are usually open allowing students watch them deliver,
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Marisel Rosa’s Answer

Hi Elizabeth, an Obstetrician/Gynecologist is a physician that cares for females. After medical school we train in a residency program for 4 years to become a general OB/GYN. OB/GYNs care for patients who can be as young as 12 years old to women who are in their 90's. The OB part takes care of women throughout their pregnancies and deliveries of their baby or babies. While the gynecologist part takes care of girls and women who are not pregnant. OB/GYNs also do procedures in the office and surgeries in the operating rooms.

Now there are OB/GYNs who become "subspecialists". They train for an extra 3 years beyond residency (called a fellowship) to become:
1) Perinatologists or maternal-fetal-medicine (MFM) doctors care for women who are considered to have high risk pregnancies because they may have genetic conditions, or chronic illnesses or conditions that make it risky for them to carry a pregnancy. They help these women carry the babies to preemie birth or full term if possible depending on what is safest for both the patient and the baby(ies).
2) Gynecologist oncologists (GYN/Onc) will care for women who have female cancers that do not include the breasts. Most of the time they perform complex surgeries to remove the cancer(s).
3) A Reproductive Endocrinologist and infertility (REI) cares for women who want to get pregnant but have difficulty for many reasons, including but not limited to genetic conditions, hormonal problems, anatomical issues and acquired illnesses or conditions. These doctors are known for performing surgeries and state of the art procedures that can help these women get pregnant. Once the patient is between 7-9 weeks pregnant, the REI physician will refer the patient back to either her general OB/GYN or to a perinatologist (or an MFM).

Marisel Rosa recommends the following next steps:

Find an OB/Gyn who you can shadow in the office and the OR. Volunteer at a hospital as a candy striper where you can help in the labor and delivery unit, the postpartum unit or even in the nursery. Patients are usually open allowing students to delivery suites.
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James Constantine’s Answer

Good Day Elizabeth!

What is an OBGYN?

An OBGYN, or Obstetrician-Gynecologist, is a medical doctor who specializes in women’s reproductive health. This specialty combines two fields: obstetrics, which focuses on pregnancy and childbirth, and gynecology, which deals with the female reproductive system’s health throughout a woman’s life. OBGYNs are trained to manage various aspects of women’s health, including routine examinations, prenatal care, labor and delivery, and the diagnosis and treatment of reproductive system disorders.

What does an OBGYN do?

OBGYNs perform a wide range of duties that encompass both preventive care and medical treatment. Their responsibilities include:

Routine Examinations: OBGYNs conduct annual pelvic exams and Pap smears to screen for cervical cancer and other conditions.
Prenatal Care: They monitor the health of pregnant women through regular check-ups, ultrasounds, and blood tests to ensure both mother and baby are healthy.
Labor and Delivery: OBGYNs assist in delivering babies, managing labor complications, performing cesarean sections when necessary, and providing postpartum care.
Menstrual Disorders: They diagnose and treat conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and abnormal menstrual bleeding.
Family Planning: OBGYNs provide counseling on contraception options and may perform sterilization procedures.
Sexual Health: They address issues related to sexual function, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and menopause management.

What does it take to become an OBGYN?

Becoming an OBGYN requires extensive education and training:

Undergraduate Education: A bachelor’s degree is typically required before entering medical school. Pre-medical courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics are essential.
Medical School: After obtaining a bachelor’s degree, aspiring OBGYNs must complete four years of medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
Residency Training: Following medical school graduation, candidates must complete a residency program in obstetrics and gynecology that lasts about four years. During this time, they gain hands-on experience in various aspects of women’s health care under supervision.
Board Certification: After completing residency training, physicians can become board-certified by passing exams administered by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). This certification demonstrates their expertise in the field.

How can an OBGYN help people?

OBGYNs play a crucial role in promoting women’s health at all stages of life:

Preventive Care: By conducting regular screenings for cancers (such as breast and cervical cancer) and providing vaccinations (like HPV vaccines), they help prevent diseases before they develop.
Pregnancy Support: They guide women through pregnancy with prenatal care that monitors fetal development while addressing any complications that may arise during pregnancy or childbirth.
Health Education: OBGYNs educate patients about reproductive health issues such as menstruation cycles, fertility awareness methods, menopause symptoms management, STIs prevention strategies, etc.
Surgical Interventions: In cases where medical management is insufficient for conditions like fibroids or endometriosis or when performing deliveries via cesarean section becomes necessary; they provide surgical solutions.

In summary, OBGYNs are vital healthcare providers dedicated to ensuring women’s reproductive health through comprehensive care that spans from adolescence through menopause.

Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) - ACOG is a leading organization representing obstetricians-gynecologists in the United States that provides clinical guidelines on women’s health care practices.

Mayo Clinic - The Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit academic medical center known for its patient care research; it offers detailed information on various medical specialties including obstetrics-gynecology.

WebMD - WebMD provides reliable health information reviewed by healthcare professionals; it covers topics related to women’s health including what services OBGYNs offer.

Probability the answer is correct: 95%

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Cheri’s Answer

Hi Elizabeth,

OBGYN stands for Obstetrics and Gynecology which focuses on women's health. Women’s health encompasses the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of symptoms and conditions throughout a woman’s lifetime, helping patients feel their best at every age and stage of life. Obstetrics is the branch of women's health that focuses on pregnancy and the delivery of babies. Gynecology focuses on other aspects of women's health, including family planning, reproductive health, and treatment of cancers such as cervical, uterine, and ovarian. Many medical professionals can work within the field of OBGYN including doctors, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and medical assistants to name a few.

If you are interested in becoming an OBGYN doctor here are the steps to follow:
1. Graduate from high school
2. Earn your bachelor's degree from a 4-year college.
3. Go to Medical School
4. Complete your OBGYN residency
5. Pass a board certification in OBGYN for licensure.

You may want to consider volunteering or shadowing in an OBGYN practice in your area to observe the different medical professionals who work in the practice and their roles. Additionally, you could observe the different care aspects involved in obstetrics and gynecology.
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