Most people know an obstetrician by the more friendly term “OB/GYN.  Either way, it refers to a doctor who offers a range of health services for women, all pertaining to pregnancy.  They administer pap tests and are trained in helping with pregnancy complication, with birth, and with post-partum.  An obstetrician is, in short, a medical professional specializing in managing a woman’s pregnancy, labor as well as the birth itself.  The OB/GYN receives education in a woman’s reproductive system as well as surgical care.  A considerable amount of the obstetrician’s education has to do with detecting and managing gynecological and obstetrical problems.

What, specifically, are the services offered by an OB/GYN?  They vary depending on the doctor’s training and specialty.  Some, for instance, decide only to practice obstetrics, while others practice just gynecology. Most, though, decide to practice both, and therefore offer a whole host of services. These services are prenatal care, labor, annual exams, pap smears, breast exams, treatment of STDs, contraceptive counseling, colposcopy, cone biopsy, cryosurgery, endometriosis and other chronic and acute medical conditions, menopause management, diagnosis and treatment of infertility, and more.

In finding a qualified obstetrician, remember that most have a private office–some with and others without another group of physicians in the same building.  A few practice in a clinic or hospital setting.  While still others can be found in teaching positions, located at university-run hospitals.  You’ll want to select a well-trained OB/GYN.  And most are. In fact, they have to complete a set of requirements that the ABOG (American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology) has set. Among these requirements are that the OB/GYN graduates from an approved school and completes four years in residence training. This training must include gynecology, obstetrics, ultrasonography, gynecologic oncology, and preventative care.

Once an OB / GYN has completed his or her residency, they have to pass a test given by ABOG. This will allow them to become board certified.  Then, many decide to continue by studying a sub-specialty (for instance, maternal - fetal medicine or infertility).

Many women decide to use an OB / GYN to help with their pregnancy because they have become comfortable with him / her in the past.  Others who know they have a high-risk pregnancy, opt for an OB / GYN with expertise in the area of the risk.  General benefits of using an OB / GYN are the doctor’s specialized training in handling complications, having access to helpful technology such as genetic testing and ultrasound, and training in cesarean birth, in case it’s necessary.

There are a couple possible disadvantages to using an obstetrician. For instance, those who want a natural birth might not want to use the OB / GYN.  Also, some women prefer to have the birth at home or at a birth center–not the prime location for the OB / GYN. And finally, there is a higher associated cost for both the birth and prenatal care.

So is an OB / GYN right for you? And if so, which one? You should talk with your support network of family, friends and doctors to make this decision.