Should I Become an Obstetrician?
From the start of a pregnancy through the delivery of the baby, an obstetrician's job is monitoring the health of the mother and child. These specialists are also customarily trained in gynecology and should have a keen interest in all aspects of women's general reproductive health care. This group of professionals must be available on call for both emergencies and childbirth.
Obstetrician Career Requirements
| Degree Level | Doctorate |
| Degree Field | Medicine |
| Experience | 4 years of residency training |
| Licensure and Certification | A state-issued license is required and voluntary certification is available |
| Key Skills | Strong verbal and written communication skills, empathy, leadership skills, attention to detail, problem-solving skills, organization skills; ability to use calendar and scheduling equipment, medical software, and electrosurgical tools; knowledge of human anatomy, conditions and treatments related to obstetrics |
| Salary (2020) | $230,434 per year (median salary for obstetricians/gynecologists) |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), O*Net Online, American Pregnancy Association, Payscale.com (2020)
How to Become an Obstetrician
How long does it take to become an obstetrician? In order to pursue this career, you will need to pursue a number of educational and licensing steps. Obstetrician schooling begins with a bachelor's degree, followed by medical school, licensure, residency, and certification. There is also the potential for further obstetrician study as desired or needed. For an obstetrician, years of school needed tend to be around eight, plus an additional four years in residency. Let's look at the steps required to become an obstetrician in more detail.
Step 1: Complete a Bachelor's Degree Program
While there is no required major for entrance into medical school, the BLS states that most aspiring doctors earn bachelor's degrees in science disciplines. Some schools integrate premed studies into a student's chosen major to fulfill both degree requirements and medical school prerequisites. Some colleges and universities combine bachelor's and Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree programs into 6- or 7-year curricula instead of the usual 4+4 years of separate study. It is possible in some schools to get a bachelor of obstetrics and gynecology, though this is not required; any degree that prepares students for the MCAT is acceptable.
Success Tip
Participate in a job shadow. According to the AAMC, aspiring obstetricians can benefit from participating in job shadows. Students can arrange to shadow a licensed obstetrician, which provides the ability to ask questions and learn more about the career first-hand.
Step 2: Pass the MCAT
Aspiring obstetricians are required to take and pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in order to gain entrance into medical school. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), most students take the MCAT exam in the spring or summer after their junior year of study in a bachelor's program. MCAT scores are typically used by admissions boards when deciding to accept an applicant into a medical school program.
Step 3: Attend Medical School
After earning a bachelor's degree, students must attend a medical school for four years to earn an M.D. During the first two years of medical school, students usually take lecture courses in anatomy, laboratory science, and general health care procedures. During the final two years, students gain practical experience examining patients during clinical rotations at local or affiliated hospitals and clinics.
Step 4: Obtain a Medical License
Medical school graduates qualify to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). All states require doctors who intend to enter public practice to pass the test and obtain a medical license. Licensure is typically required before entering a residency program.
Step 5: Participate in a Residency
With medical training and licensure requirements met, prospective obstetricians must then participate in a four-year residency program under the direction of one or more licensed obstetricians. Acceptance into an obstetrics and gynecological residency program is competitive, and most accept only a small number of residents per year. During their residency, students receive hands-on training in pregnancy monitoring, delivering babies, gynecological procedures, maternal-fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, urology, reproductive endocrinology, and infertility.
Step 6: Become Board Certified
In addition to earning a medical license, nearly all employers seek obstetricians with board certification in obstetrics and gynecology. The American Board of Physician Specialties offers board certification to physicians who pass both a written and an oral exam and demonstrate experience in the discipline.
Step 7: Continue Education
Obstetricians are required to continue their educations in order to renew licensure and certification. Obstetricians may obtain Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits by completing self-assessment activities or by attending approved courses, seminars, and conferences. In addition to satisfying renewal requirements, continuing education can help an obstetrician improve his or her skills while staying current with medical advances.
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Obstetrician vs Gynecologist
While some people specialize in both obstetrics and gynecology, the professions are actually somewhat different. A gynecologist is a doctor who specializes in female reproductive health, while an obstetrician specializes in assisting with pregnancy, childbirth, and infant care. Many sources will list the two careers together or use the job title ''OB/GYN'' for these professionals, but in this article we have focused on obstetrics specifically.
In summary, aspiring obstetricians must earn a bachelor's degree, attend medical school, obtain medical licensure, participate in a residency, become board certified, and continue education.
