OB/GYNs, or obstetricians/gynecologists, are doctors who work exclusively with women to provide a reproductive system and pregnancy care.
They perform routine tests and check-ups on women to ensure that their reproductive organs are healthy and functioning properly.
They also work with pregnant women, providing care throughout their pregnancy and delivery.
Some OB/GYNs may only work with older women who are going through hormonal changes and menopause.
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about an OB/GYN and how much an OB/GYN makes in an hour?.
How Much Does An OB/GYN Make An Hour?
OB-GYNs can help with everything from family planning to pregnancy and childbirth to menopause and beyond.
They are educated in both obstetrics (the branch of medicine that deals with pregnancy and childbirth) and gynecology (the branch of medicine that deals with the female reproductive system).
An OB/GYN typically attends four years of medical school, followed by four years of residency training in obstetrics and gynecology.
During their residency, they learn how to diagnose and treat female reproductive system conditions, as well as how to care for expecting mothers before, during, and after childbirth.
A majority of OB/GYNs work in private practices, often in collaboration with other OB/GYNs.
They may also be employed in hospitals, clinics, or healthcare facilities.
Some OB-GYNs may choose to specialize in a specific area of medicine, such as fertility or maternal-fetal medicine.
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OB/GYN Responsibilities
An OB/GYN is a medical doctor who specializes in the care of women’s reproductive health.
They care for pregnant women, deliver babies, and treat conditions affecting the female reproductive system.
OB/GYNs are responsible for their patient’s health before, during, and after pregnancy.
They provide well-woman care, which includes cancer and other disease screenings, contraception counseling, and treatment for menopause and other conditions.
They also provide advice on family planning, STDs, and healthy lifestyle choices.
Prenatal care is provided by OB-GYNs during pregnancy to monitor the health of both the mother and the baby.
They may request tests to look for genetic disorders or other issues. They also collaborate with the expectant mother to ensure safe delivery.
OB/GYNs are trained to manage high-risk pregnancies and complications that may arise during pregnancy or childbirth.
They can also perform C-sections if necessary.
They provide postpartum care to help the mother recover from childbirth.
Nevertheless, OB/GYN responsibilities vary depending on the needs of their patients, but they always include compassionate and comprehensive care.
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Educational Prerequisites
To become an OB/GYN, you must typically have a bachelor’s degree, a four-year medical degree, and a four-year residency.
Furthermore, in order to practice medicine, every state requires licensing.
Then, depending on whether you attended an allopathic or osteopathic medical school, you can take an examination to become board certified in obstetrics and gynecology from either the American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
To prepare for medical school, your undergraduate coursework should include chemistry, physics, biology, and other science courses.
After being admitted to medical school, you will spend the first two years studying genetics, human anatomy, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, and other subjects.
The second two years of medical school are spent gaining hands-on experience in hospitals and clinics under the supervision of licensed physicians.
You will rotate through various specialties during this time, including obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, internal medicine, and others.
When you enter the residency phase, you will receive more in-depth training and experience in your specialty, with a focus on pregnancy management and labor, the female reproductive system, and other women’s healthcare issues.
Step-By-Step Instructions For Becoming An OB/GYN
Step 1: Graduate From High School
A high school diploma is the first step toward becoming an obstetrician and gynecologist.
Taking science and math classes such as physics, chemistry, and biology can help lay the groundwork for your undergraduate studies.
To be eligible for undergraduate programs, you will need to maintain high grades.
Step 2: Earn A Bachelor’s Degree
Although there is no OB/GYN major, many undergraduate majors can be tailored to a pre-medicine track in order to prepare for medical school by taking courses in anatomy, chemistry, biology, genetics, and physics.
If you take enough science electives to satisfy medical school prerequisites, you won’t need a science-related major.
Step 3: Go To Medical School
Attending medical school is the next step toward a career as an OB/GYN.
To enroll in a typical U.S. medical school, you must score well on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), a program of the Association of American Medical Colleges.
It is divided into four sections:
physical sciences, verbal reasoning, writing, and biological sciences when taken electronically.
During the first two years of medical school, you will take in-depth science courses and learn medical terminology and practices.
In the third and fourth years, you’ll get hands-on experience at a clinic or hospital. While pursuing your M.D., you will complete a rotation in obstetrics and gynecology.
Step 4: Complete Your OB/GYN Residency
To gain experience in preventive and primary care, patient diagnosis, and surgical procedures, you’ll apply for and complete a four-year residency in obstetrics and gynecology.
Each year, your responsibilities and duties as a resident OBGYN will grow.
You’ll most likely work long hours at the hospital or clinic and respond to unexpected emergencies, such as births, at all hours of the night.
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Step 5: Become Licensed And Certified
All physicians, including OBGYNs, are required to obtain state licensure.
In order to practice medicine before becoming licensed, you must be supervised.
You must pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam.
You must pass two board exams to be certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
The first exam is a lengthy written exam that is taken immediately after completing residency.
After passing it, you must practice in women’s health care before taking an oral exam given by a panel of professors.
Consider pursuing a fellowship and certification in a subspecialty, such as maternal-fetal medicine or gynecologic oncology.
OB/GYN Skill Requirements
OB/GYNs must have a combination of technical and interpersonal skills.
They must, for example, be experts in their field while also being efficient, empathetic communicators.
Other essential skills for OB-GYNs include:
- Active listening abilities
- The ability to manage other people involved in the care of a patient.
- The ability to design personalized treatment plans.
- All medical instruments required for treatment must be mastered.
- Problem-solving abilities.
- The ability to provide accurate and effective care even when under duress.
Employment Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment outlook for physicians and surgeons is favorable, with a much faster-than-average growth rate expected.
From 2020 to 2030, the BLS predicted a 3% increase in employment.
How Much Does An OB/GYN Make An Hour?
Your salary as an OB/GYN either by monthly or hourly will differ depending on your state and industry as well as numerous advancement in skill level, location and years of experience.
However, according to the bureau of labor statistics, the median salary of OB/GYNs in 2020 was $208,000 while the average hourly pay for an OB/GYN in the United States is $125.06 per hour as of December 1, 2022.
FAQs
1. Who Reports To OB/GYN Obstetrician Gynecologists?
An OB-GYN typically has an OB/GYN Nurse that reports directly to them.
This Nurse will assist the Obstetrician-Gynecologist in larger procedures, like childbirth, and smaller routine check-ups.
OB/GYN Nurses will typically take patients’ vitals and prepare them for their appointment before the OB-GYN arrives.
Some medical facilities may also hire Medical Assistants to complete basic clerical tasks like checking the patient in and directing them to their exam rooms.
Similar to OB-GYN Nurses, Medical Assistants will also report to the OB-GYN for tasks and notes on how to improve their experience with patients.
2. What Settings Do OB/GYN Obstetrician Gynecologists Work in?
Most Obstetrician Gynecologists work in healthcare clinics or private practices when attending appointments and check-ups.
When a patient is giving birth, the OB-GYN will report to the hospital for the procedure and may spend hours at a time there while the expectant mother is in labor until they’re ready to give birth.
They may also be expected to arrive at the hospital when a mother is unexpectedly going into labor, so they may work irregular hours on nights and weekends.
3. Differences Between An OB/GYN Obstetrician Gynecologist And A Gynecologist?
While they’re similar positions that both specialize in women’s health, there are a few differences between an OB-GYN and a Gynecologist. An OB-GYN specializes in two fields of study, which is obstetrics and gynecology.
Obstetrics focuses on all stages of pregnancy and gynecology relates to women’s reproductive health.
An OB-GYN specializes in both of these areas, while a Gynecologist focuses solely on women’s health and reproductive systems.
Gynecologists can perform routine check-ups and basic women’s reproductive procedures, but they’re not qualified to handle pregnancy or childbirth-related issues.
4. What Makes A Good OB-GYN Obstetrician-Gynecologist?
OB-GYNs should have impressive critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to properly diagnose a disease or illness and provide an effective treatment plan. They must be able to react quickly and logically to emergency situations in case an unexpected medical issue arises during a procedure. Since they’re regularly interacting with patients and other staff members, OB-GYNs should have great interpersonal and communication skills.
Impressive stamina, dexterity, and hand-eye coordination are also needed for them to successfully perform procedures and check-ups on their patients for long time periods, sometimes late at night or early in the morning. Focus and attention to detail are also great for an ideal candidate to have to ensure they make little to no errors and catch any medical abnormalities.