Obstetricians are medical doctors who specialize in the care of pregnant women and their babies. They keep track of pregnant women’s and fetuses’ health, as well as diagnose and treat abnormal conditions and deliver babies. To become an obstetrician, a person must typically complete eight years of full-time college and a four- to six-year residency program. A person must also pass a series of rigorous licensing exams administered by a nationally recognized governing body. A licensed professional can work in general hospitals, specialty clinics, and private practices once they have obtained their license.
To become an obstetrician, a person must first complete a four-year bachelor’s degree program at a recognized college or university. Premedical studies is a course of study that includes classes in health, anatomy, physiology, and biology for most aspiring doctors. To broaden their knowledge and skills, many students take additional courses in communications, psychology, math, and physics. Internships or entry-level medical aide positions at hospitals can help students learn more about various health-care professions and determine if they want to pursue careers in the field.
An individual can begin applying to medical schools and taking the required computerized or written admissions tests near the end of a bachelor’s degree program. Medical schools typically choose students with the best grades, admissions test scores, recommendation letters, and personal essays when considering applicants. A medical student meets with advisers and professors after being accepted to design a degree program that will best prepare him or her to become an obstetrician.
Medical school is a four-year program that includes classroom studies, laboratory research, and clinical practice. Students typically spend their first two years of medical school in classrooms, taking advanced courses in a variety of medical topics. The final two years of a program are intended to provide practical training in medical research, diagnosis, and treatment of various conditions. Interested obstetricians can often enroll in specialized gynecology and obstetrics courses to better prepare them for their future careers. A student earns a Doctor of Medicine degree by completing an internship, excelling in coursework, and writing a high-quality dissertation based on original research.
A person who wants to become an obstetrician can start a four- to six-year residency program after graduation. Most new doctors work in emergency rooms or hospitals for their first two or three years, practicing general medicine under the supervision of licensed physicians. To gain experience working directly with pregnant women, the second half of a residency is usually spent in a specialty clinic or obstetrics wing of a hospital.
To officially become an obstetrician and begin working independently in most countries, an individual must pass both a general medicine and a specialty obstetrics exam. Successful test-takers are awarded certification by governing boards such as the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the United States. The majority of obstetricians choose a sub-specialty, such as fetal medicine or oncology. To work as a specialist, you must pass additional licensing and certification tests.