Clinical obstetrics involves caring for pregnant women and the fetus. Physicians who practice obstetrics and gynecology receive in-depth training and must understand both the mother’s body and the developing fetus. The specialty can be rewarding, but unpredictable hours and high malpractice insurance rates should be considered.
Clinical obstetrics is the study of pregnant women and the fetus, in relation to the practice of caring for both. Any medical service that offers pregnancy care is said to offer clinical obstetrics and hopefully these doctors have researched this subject thoroughly (like most of them) to be able to offer the best care to patients. There are actually several types of physicians who might practice clinical obstetrics. These include obstetricians and gynecologists (OBGYNs), general practitioners. Nurse obstetricians can also provide obstetric care.
Most doctors practicing in this field get their in-depth training by first attending medical school. After completing school, they will do a four-year residency in obstetrics and gynecology. This prepares them to practice both obstetrics and other medicines in relation to the study and knowledge of the female reproductive system. Some physicians may choose to practice one or the other of these fields, and other physicians divide their practice between treating obstetric patients and those patients requiring unrelated gynecological care. As a variation, some OBGYNs now work outside the field of clinical obstetrics and gynecology and become primary care physicians for their patients, although others prefer not to.
In obstetric care, there are two equally important areas that need to be understood. One of these is the mother’s body and considerations can include the health of the uterus, signs that a pregnancy is progressing normally, signs when it is not, and indications of health problems and/or complications that may arise. Equally important is the developing fetus: the indications of fetal problems, the signs that it is blooming and the signs that it is not. Since there are two bodies contained in one, clinical obstetrics must also look at how these two bodies interact with each other and whether problems with one may be related to or cause problems with the other.
Clinical obstetrics is about much more than looking for what is normal, it is also about ruling out abnormalities and being aware of any condition in either patient being treated that could alter the health or well-being of one or both. It should be noted that, unless otherwise requested by the mother, the mother is the primary patient. Not all midwives see the fetus as having any form of rights unless the mother grants them.
Obstetrics is an interesting field that often has a happy ending, when doctors can deliver their patients’ babies. Many people are prompted to consider clinical obstetrics as a specialty because they are warmed by the thought. It should be noted that not all endings are so happy. An obstetrician may be called at the end of a baby’s life if the mother’s health is at risk, to inform excited parents of serious health problems in a fetus, and sometimes to deliver babies. There is a downside, and it’s one that those easily emotionally devastated should consider.
From a professional perspective, the person interested in practicing clinical obstetrics may want to look into some of the other factors surrounding this specialty. First, it means unpredictable hours; children do not show up on schedule. Second, clinical obstetricians pay some of the highest medical malpractice insurance rates in the industry, significantly reducing the annual salary. Family doctors, who can also give birth, can pay lower fees. On the other hand, this field is one that many doctors and other health professionals find highly rewarding.
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