What do OB/GYN Physicians do?

An obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) is a medical doctor who specializes in the health of the female reproductive system. 

Obstetrics deals explicitly with pregnancy, childbirth, and the period before and after delivery, while gynecology is concerned with the health of the female reproductive organs throughout a person’s life. 

Obstetrician/Gynecologist physicians practice in both specialties.

Obstetrics

• Focus: Care for pregnant women, including prenatal care, managing childbirth, and postpartum support.
• Practitioners: While midwives manage many low-risk pregnancies, obstetricians handle complex deliveries, instrumental deliveries (such as forceps or vacuum), or cases of fetal distress.
• Procedures: Can include performing Cesarean sections, amniocentesis, and other delivery-related procedures. 
• Prenatal care: Provides routine checkups, screenings, and tests to monitor the health of both the mother and fetus during pregnancy.
• Fetal monitoring: Uses tools such as ultrasound to assess the baby’s growth, position, and overall health.
• Delivery: Manages labor and delivery, including emergencies and Cesarean sections.
• Postpartum care: Monitors the mother’s recovery and health for up to six weeks after childbirth. 

Gynecology

• Focus: Treats and supports the health of the female reproductive organs (uterus, ovaries, etc.) and related conditions. 
• Practitioners: Gynecologists address a wide range of women’s health concerns. 
• Services: Include cancer screenings (like Pap smears), contraception, diagnosing and treating sexually transmitted diseases, and managing conditions such as endometriosis and menopause. 
• Routine exams: Performs regular checkups and screening exams for the reproductive system. 
• Reproductive health: Provides counseling and services for family planning, birth control, and infection prevention. 
• Diagnosis and treatment: Diagnoses and treats a wide range of conditions related to the female reproductive organs, such as the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. 
• Surgery: Performs surgeries as needed to treat gynecological conditions. 

The combined field of OB/GYN

• Services: An OB/GYN can serve as a primary care provider for women, performing both routine exams and specialized procedures. 
• Practice: Many physicians choose to practice both obstetrics and gynecology, providing comprehensive care for women’s reproductive health needs throughout their lives. 

Training

• To become an OB/GYN, a doctor must complete medical school and a four- to five-year residency program in obstetrics and gynecology. 
• After residency, physicians can become board-certified in both areas. 
• Some OB/GYNs pursue additional training to subspecialize in areas like infertility, cancer, or high-risk pregnancies (Maternal-Fetal Medicine). 

Obstetricians & Gynecologists by Specialty

Below are obstetricians & gynecologists organized by specialty. The counters show the total number of providers in each specialty nationwide as of today.

• Click the counter to search the specialty nationwide.
• Click Download to download the nationwide specialty database.

Frequently Asked Questions