Tips for a OB/GYN Rotation
Written by Rand Hashim
OB/GYN is a unique rotation as it is usually divided into outpatient clinics, labor and delivery, and surgery days. I got a good mix of both outpatient and inpatient time on my rotation. Below find some tips to prepare for various parts of the rotation.
1. Firstly, it’s important to review the terminology used to identify an OB/GYN patient. Patients are described with their Gs and Ps. G means Gravida or the number of pregnancies whereas P refers to Parity or the number of deliveries. Parity is further divided into term, preterm, abortion, and living children.
2. For clinic, it’s important to recognize that you will see a lot of annual well-women visits, counseling on contraceptives, prenatal visits, and plenty of women for routine obstetric care. Things to read up on include the tests at different points of pregnancy, routine STD testing and treatment guidelines, indications and contraindications for contraceptives, and causes for abnormal vaginal bleeding. You may be asked to perform some pelvic exams after observing them so try to gather techniques that your preceptor or resident uses. Remember, this can be a very vulnerable time for some women so always be respectful. Don’t take it personally if a patient does not want a student in the appointment.
3. Labor and delivery is a remarkable experience that you may never get to see again. It’s always exciting and sometimes hectic so this is a great place to practice your “read the room” skills. There is always a lot going on so try to pay attention during your first delivery so that you can be super helpful in subsequent deliveries. Always be proactive and ask how you can help to guide your preceptor and resident’s comfort and trust in you. Brush up on the stages of labor, the cardinal movements, and obstetric emergencies like postpartum hemorrhage and shoulder dystocia.
4. The operating room (OR) part of OB/GYN includes both elective surgeries like hysterectomies and C-sections. I would practice suturing and tying knots as well as watching YouTube videos for planned surgeries before any procedure day. I would also recommend brushing up on your scrubbing techniques. C-sections can also feel very hectic as there are a lot of things going on especially with both the obstetric and the neonatal side—there may be a NICU/pediatrician team in the OR with you for any complications. Remember that the mom is usually awake during C-sections so pay special attention to her!
The OB/GYN shelf is similar to others in terms of preparation materials. I’ve listed some of the resources I used below:
OnlineMedEd
AnKING for Step 2
UWorld/Comquest/Amboss
Divine Intervention Podcasts
OB/GYN is an exciting rotation with a lot of dynamic components! I loved being part of a team that worked with bringing new life into the world and focused on women’s health! Always remember to be respectful as your patients may be in their most vulnerable states. Try to be present in all different experiences and you will learn a lot.
