What is an OB-GYN?
An obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) is a trained doctor specializing in women's reproductive health. OB-GYNs possess special skills, knowledge, and professional capabilities in the medical and surgical treatment of female reproductive health-associated conditions and disorders. They guide women in making informed decisions about their reproductive health, including preventing or inducing pregnancy, maintaining general reproductive health, and making healthy choices during and post-pregnancy. They also treat conditions and diseases of the reproductive organs.
OB-GYN is a combination of two branches: obstetrics and gynecology. Obstetricians primarily provide care to pregnant women, help them track their pregnancies, and assess the health of their unborn babies. On the other hand, gynecologists make recommendations and treat conditions related to the female reproductive system outside of pregnancy.
A certified OB-GYN specializing in obstetrics and gynecology can perform any activity that comes under either. Since pregnant women can also experience certain reproductive health conditions that directly do not link to their pregnancy, there is likely some overlap between the two fields throughout the women's care. Therefore, OB-GYNs near you are ideal as they can provide guidance and handle such health issues without referring their patients to another doctor.
What are the educational qualifications and training requirements of OB-GYNS?
Becoming an obstetrician and gynecologist is a rigorous and demanding journey that requires a steady commitment to education, training, and certification.
The journey begins with obtaining a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Prospective obstetricians and gynecologists must successfully clear the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and fulfill advanced mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, and social sciences prerequisites. Medical school usually lasts four years, with the initial two years focused on classroom and lab-based science education. The final two years involve rotating through diverse medical specialties like internal medicine, family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery, allowing students to gain practical experience and identify their specific interests within the field.
After attaining a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree, prospective obstetricians and gynecologists commence a hospital-based internship and residency program. The training typically lasts a year, followed by a comprehensive four-year medical residency. During the residency, individuals work closely with experienced practitioners, gaining hands-on experience in obstetrics and gynecology. This period allows them to develop clinical skills, manage patients, and handle complex medical cases. Successful completion of the residency is essential for obtaining a medical license.
To practice medicine legally, individuals must obtain a state medical license. A license requires passing a national examination, which varies depending on the degree earned. MDs take the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), while DOs take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam (COMLEX). In some cases, a state-specific exam may also be necessary.
Once OB-GYNs meet the educational and training requirements, they can pursue board certification through the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). This certification validates their expertise and competence in the field.
Some OB/GYNs also pursue fellowship training after completing their residency. This additional training, lasting anywhere from one to three years, allows individuals to specialize further in specific aspects of obstetrics and gynecology, such as maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology, or gynecologic oncology.
What are the subspecialty areas of OB-GYNs?
Like other medical professions, OB-GYNs can also choose to pursue a specialization in a particular area of obstetrics and gynecology. It requires them to spend at least a year studying that specialization, referred to as a fellowship. After completing this, they must pass a board certification exam to become fully accredited in that subspecialty. Doctors may choose to specialize in one or more subspecialties.
These subspecialty areas include -
- Reproductive endocrinology and infertility: These endocrinologists address infertility-related issues. They also address issues related to the hormones and glands of the endocrine system. Women with fertility problems can visit a reproductive endocrinologist. These doctors perform assisted reproduction procedures such as in-vitro fertilization, fallopian zygote transfers, embryo transfer, etc.
- Female pelvic medicine and reproductive medicine: These surgeons primarily treat women with urinary tract disorders. Pregnancy, age, or other medical conditions may weaken the pelvic floor (the area just below the pelvis). These specialists can also treat pelvic floor muscle and connective tissue disorders. They address conditions such as vaginal or urinary tract infections, overactive bladder, urinary or fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and bladder pain.
- Maternal-fetal medicine: These specialists provide care for patients with high-risk pregnancies or related medical issues. People with chronic or gestational high blood pressure, blood clotting disorders, gestational diabetes, or premature labor commonly see a maternal-fetal medicine specialist.
- Gynecology Oncology: These oncologists get to specialize in diagnosing and treating female reproductive system cancers. It includes ovarian, cervical, uterine, and vulvar cancer.
What procedures do OB-GYNs perform?
OB-GYNs near you can perform major and minor surgeries for both outpatient and inpatient procedures. A few examples of such treatments include:
- Biopsy
- Laser surgery
- Dilation and curettage
- Tubal ligation for female sterilization
- Hysterectomy or uterus removal
- Myomectomy for fibroid removal
OB-GYNs also manage female health during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Procedures during these times can include:
- Vaginal delivery
- In-vitro fertilization
- Cesarean delivery
- Forceps and vacuum delivery
- Amniocentesis, to determine sex or detect abnormalities
They also conduct regular tests and screenings such as:
- Pap smears
- Pelvic exams
- Mammograms
- Clinical breast exams
- Cancer screenings
How can you maintain your reproductive health?
Sexual and reproductive healthcare is crucial for women's overall well-being. Maintaining physical health and making informed reproductive health decisions are essential.
Regular visits to an OB-GYN near you for check-ups are highly recommended. Undertaking a proactive approach to your health can help prevent severe issues from developing, allowing doctors to detect and treat potential complications. Along with professional medical care, you can adopt simple practices to maintain a healthy reproductive system.
Establishing a basic healthcare routine can help prevent major issues. Here are some habits to consider for a healthier body -
- Be sexually responsible - Practice safe sex and make informed decisions about your sexual activities. Regular STD testing for both you and your sexual partner is essential. Always use contraceptives like condoms to prevent unwanted pregnancies and protect yourself against STDs.
- Get vaccinated - Ensure you receive recommended vaccinations, such as those for HPV (which can cause cervical cancer) and hepatitis B (a sexually transmitted liver infection).
- Maintain feminine hygiene: Wash your intimate areas with mild soap and clean water. Using harsh soaps or chemicals can disrupt your pH balance and cause irritation or infections.
- Eat healthy: Proper nutrition is vital for reproductive health. Consume a balanced diet rich in calcium, folic acid, magnesium, and vitamin D. Include leafy greens, fish, and protein sources in your meals. Limit your consumption of foods with high cholesterol and saturated fats. Staying hydrated and eating well can also aid in regulating your menstrual cycle.
Everything you need to know about prenatal care
Prenatal care is about caring for yourself and your growing baby during pregnancy. It means getting regular checkups from a doctor, nurse, or midwife to ensure everything is how it should be - and to catch any potential issues early. These visits aren't just about monitoring your baby's development; they're also a chance to get support, ask questions, and learn how to manage discomfort.
Starting prenatal care as soon as you know you’re pregnant is key - but if possible, seeing a healthcare provider before you conceive (called preconception or pre-pregnancy care) is even better. Either way, the earlier you start, the better.
Your prenatal visit schedule usually depends on how far along you are and whether your pregnancy is considered high-risk. For most healthy people aged 18–35, the typical schedule looks like this:
- Every 4 to 6 weeks until 32 weeks pregnant
- Every 2 to 4 weeks from 32 to 37 weeks
- Every week from 37 weeks until delivery
An OB-GYN near you may want to see you more often if there are any special concerns or complications.
Prenatal care is one of the best ways to support your health and that of your baby, so don't skip it!
Why does postpartum care matter?
Within 2 to 3 weeks after delivery, you should contact your healthcare provider - by phone or in-person - to discuss your feelings and concerns. Then, between 6 to 12 weeks after birth, you'll have a complete postpartum exam.
It's also the perfect time to talk about important topics like:
- Your mood and emotional health
- Sleep and fatigue
- Any ongoing symptoms
- Birth control and planning for future pregnancies
- Baby care and feeding
- Sex, intimacy, and any related discomfort
- Your overall adjustment to life with a newborn
This checkup is about ensuring you're okay - not just physically, but emotionally and mentally too. It's a safe space to talk honestly with your provider and get support for whatever you're going through.
How can you find a reliable OB-GYN near you in Glendale, California?
Because OB-GYNs deal with personal and sensitive health issues, consulting one can be overwhelming for some women. You might be nervous discussing your intimate issues with your doctor. Similarly, for pregnant women, as many consult with the same physician throughout their pregnancy, finding a reliable physician with whom they can feel comfortable and discuss their concerns could be crucial. Here's where Zocdoc can help you!
Zocdoc has made booking appointments a seamless experience for all its users. Its user-friendly interface makes finding the right gynecologist near you for your needs. Create a free account on Zocdoc, navigate the search bar, and enter your symptoms or specialization. Within minutes, you will find a comprehensive list of potential providers near you. To find the right provider, you can filter the results based on gender, visit type, location, appointment date, accepted insurance, etc.
You can add medical, dental, and vision plans to your Zocdoc account if you have multiple insurance plans. However, you can only search for and book an appointment with one insurance plan at a time. To include additional insurance information, you can mention your secondary carrier and plan for the provider in the notes section during the final booking step. Additionally, if your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can add secondary insurance details when filling out your insurance forms online. You can visit the Zocdoc patient help center for any issues you might face during the process or reach out to the Zocdoc service team.
After shortlisting the providers, you can learn more about them through their profiles. Zocdoc has unique profiles of all their listed providers, which provides more information about your doctor's qualifications, hospital affiliations, accreditations, licenses, and more. Once you have finalized an OB-GYN, you can book your appointment in person or online.
Booking appointments with an OB-GYN near you using Zocdoc is simple, secure, and 100% free!
Female reproductive health statistics in Los Angeles County, California
As per May 2024 reports by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 19,900 licensed OB-GYNs actively provide service in the United States. Corresponding figures for California are around 1,870 OB-GYN physicians. The reports show that California is amongst the states with the highest number of licensed Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
According to the 2017 reports published by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, an estimated 872,000 (or 22%) women reported their health status as fair or poor. Around 15.7% of adult females have no regular source of healthcare. Nearly 81.9% of women with live births received antenatal care in their first trimester of pregnancy, and around 92.1% received postpartum checkups. Over 60% of women in Los Angeles County reported a stressful event during their pregnancy.
The same reports show that the female mortality rate due to cancers is around 124.1 (age-adjusted per 100,000 population). About 20.5% of female deaths from this are from breast cancer, about 3.0% from cervical cancer, and approximately 11.8% from colorectal cancer.
Sources
WebMD
University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Healthline
American University of Antigua College of Medicine
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Verywell Health
University OB/GYN Associates[1]
University OB/GYN Associates[2]
Mayo Clinic
Planned Parenthood
