I’ve recently completed my six-week Obstetrics and Gynaecology placement, and if someone had told me at the start that it would end up in my top three career choices, I would’ve called them crazy. Yet here I am. This is my honest take on the specialty, based on my hands-on experience as a medical student.
- You will see some special things
This placement has allowed me to witness moments that few people ever get to experience, the most profound being the chance to help deliver a baby. I’ll never forget the first time I saw a baby born via an emergency C-section—the rush of panic, followed by relief, the calm afterwards, and finally witnessing a new family come together. Even after seeing three or four deliveries, the feeling of watching a newborn take its first breaths and adjust to the world never loses its magic. In fact, it seems to get more special with each one. I can’t think of many experiences in medicine that evoke the same emotions, and if there are, I haven’t encountered them yet.
- It is a very broad speciality
When I first thought of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, I limited it to babies and infections, but there’s so much more to the speciality that often goes unmentioned. From cancer screening and contraception to menstrual disorders, fertility clinics, pregnancy care, and the wide range of surgical procedures, the variety of patients you encounter daily is incredible. This keeps you constantly engaged as a student, and I definitely faced my share of tough questions from consultants when I wasn’t fully prepared. However, understanding just how broad the knowledge in this field can be is incredibly motivating and pushes you to keep learning.
- It’s not that weird as a guy
There is often a stigma surrounding men in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, particularly in the gynaecology aspect of the speciality. I’ll admit, I initially felt a bit awkward and uncomfortable when I started my placement. However, after nearly two months as an Obs and Gynae student, I found that my experience as a male student was not significantly different from that of my female peers. Of course, it’s completely understandable if a patient prefers an all-female team, but given the staffing challenges in the NHS today, many patients recognise that the only available doctor might be male. Most also appreciate the importance of male students learning in this field.
One of the highlights of my placement was speaking with male consultants about their reasons for choosing this speciality. One consultant humorously shared that he had severe health anxiety, which being a doctor initially worsened. He ultimately chose Obstetrics and Gynaecology because, as a man, pregnancy-related issues wouldn’t personally affect him. This was a perspective that made me laugh but also demonstrated how personal factors can influence career decisions.
In summary, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this rotation. While it was content-heavy and emotionally demanding, the small, magical moments I witnessed made it all worthwhile. The wide range of career opportunities, from IVF clinics to specialist surgeries, makes this a speciality filled with potential. For any students seeking a field that offers a bit of everything, Obstetrics and Gynaecology is definitely worth considering.
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