1. Undergraduate Education (Bachelor's Degree):
- Attend an accredited college or university and pursue a bachelor's degree. Common majors include biology, chemistry, or any science-related field.
- Maintain a high GPA and gain a solid foundation in science and mathematics. Some colleges may offer specific pre-med or pre-health tracks.
2. Medical School (M.D. or D.O. Degree):
- After completing your bachelor's degree, you apply and gain admission to a medical school. Medical school usually lasts four years and covers both didactic and clinical training.
- During medical school, you will study various medical disciplines such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, and obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN).
3. Residency Training:
- After medical school, aspiring obstetricians enter a residency program in OB-GYN. OB-GYN residency programs typically last four years and involve extensive clinical training in a hospital setting.
- Residents rotate through different OB-GYN departments such as labor and delivery, prenatal care clinics, surgery, gynecological services, and others.
4. Board Certification:
- After completing residency training, obstetricians must pass a comprehensive written and oral exam administered by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) or the American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AOBOG) to become board-certified.
- Board certification demonstrates their competence and expertise in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.
5. Continuing Education and Specialization:
- Obstetricians often pursue continuing education opportunities to stay updated with the latest medical advancements and research in OB-GYN.
- Some may also choose to specialize in specific areas of obstetrics and gynecology such as maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, gynecologic oncology, or others. This involves additional fellowship training or subspecialty certification.
Throughout this educational journey, obstetricians also gain practical experience by interacting with patients, attending births, performing surgical procedures, and providing ongoing care to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond.