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Obstetrics and gynecology (commonly abbreviated as OB-GYN, OBG or O&G in US English, and as obs and gyne in British English) is the medical specialty that encompasses the two subspecialties of obstetrics (covering pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period) and gynecology (covering the health of the female reproductive system – vagina, uterus, and ovaries).

Postgraduate training programs for both fields are usually combined, preparing the practicing obstetrician-gynecologist to be adept both at the care of female reproductive organs' health and at the management of pregnancy, although many doctors go on to develop subspecialty interests in one field or the other.

Education and training (residency)[edit]

United States[edit]

After completing medical school, one must complete a four-year residency program to be eligible to sit for boards.

For the ERAS match in 2017, there will be 238 participating programs accepting applicants.^[1]

In all, this adds up to 11–14 years of education and practical experience. The first 7–9 years are general medical training.

Experienced OB-GYN professionals can seek certifications in sub-specialty areas, including maternal and fetal medicine. See Fellowship (medicine).

Subspecialties[edit]

Examples of subspecialty training available to physicians in the US are:

• 
  Maternal-fetal medicine: an obstetrical subspecialty, sometimes referred to as perinatology, that focuses on the medical and surgical management of high-risk pregnancies and surgery on the fetus with the goal of reducing morbidity and mortality.


• 
  Reproductive endocrinology and infertility: a subspecialty that focuses on the biological causes and interventional treatment of infertility


• Gynecological oncology: a gynaecologic subspecialty focusing on the medical and surgical treatment of women with cancers of the reproductive organs


• 
  Female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery: a gynaecologic subspecialty focusing on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of women with urinary incontinence and prolapse of the pelvic organs. Sometimes referred to by laypersons as "female urology"


• Advanced laparoscopic surgery
  


• 
  Family planning: a gynaecologic subspecialty offering training in contraception and pregnancy termination (abortion)


• Pediatric and adolescent gynecology


• 
  Menopausal and geriatric gynecology

Of these, only the first four are truly recognized sub-specialties by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). The other subspecialties are recognized as informal concentrations of practice. To be recognized as a board-certified subspecialist by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology or the American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a practitioner must have completed an ACGME or AOA-accredited residency and obtained a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) which requires an additional standardized examination.^[2][3]

Additionally, physicians of other specialties may become trained in Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO), a short certification that equips them to better manage emergent OB/GYN situations.

Salary[edit]

The salary of an obstetrician varies by country. In the United States, as of 2017, the average salary is $222,400–$315,277.

See also[edit]

• Theriogenology


• Andrology


• Urology


• Neonatal infection

References[edit]

Bibliography[edit]

• Llewellyn-Jones, Derek, Fundamentals of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 7th ed., Mosby, 1999.

Further reading[edit]

• 
  Lane, J (July 1987). "A provincial surgeon and his obstetric practice: Thomas W. Jones of Henley-in-Arden, 1764-1846". Medical History. 31 (3): 333–48. doi:10.1017/s0025727300046895. PMC 1139744. PMID 3306222.
  


• 
  Stockham, Alice B. Tokology. A Book for Every Woman. o.O., (Kessinger Publishing) o.J. Reprint of Revised Edition Chicago, Alice B. Stockham & Co. 1891 (first edition 1886).
  ISBN 1-4179-4001-8
  

External links[edit]

• 
  www.figo.org International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO)
  


• BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetricians and Gynecologists


• World Congress on Controversies in Obstetrics, Gynecology & Infertility (COGI)