Advice please on Obstetrics...Much appreciated!

[KenLumLee]

Hello i just finished my AS exams and did not do particularly well as i had hoped. i am very interested in Obstetrics as a subject or even a career. Can anybody give me advice which High ranking University specialises in that area of study and what the A-Level requirements are? and would i need an AS grade coz i think i flopped a subject

Thank! Much appreciated

[S Knights]

Welcome to the forum.

Obstetrics and Gynaecology is one of the medical specialities which is covered in every medical school in the UK. If you wanted to persue it as a career you would have to go through medical school and gain a general qualification in the first instance, after which you could enter the specialist training pathway which allows you to eventually become a consultant in the field (though it is worth bearing in mind that there’s every chance that you will find another medical speciality that you like just as much, if not more, during the five years at medical school).

As far as the grade requirements go… I’m afraid you will have to look through the medical school websites and have a look for yourself – you can find a list of the different universities which offer medical degrees further down the main page of the forum.
In general terms they will ask that you have a specific number of GCSE grades, AS and A levels depending on the preference of the university… You will also have to undertake some work experience to gain some insight into working in the medical profession, as well as sitting additional entrance exams such as the UKCAT (other people can tell you more about this than I can as it was introduced after I applied).

The actual requirement varies considerably between medical schools: as an example at Newcastle (where I did my degree) you would need at least 5 GCSE’s at C or above, AAA at A level (including one of chemistry or biology), to sit the UKCAT, and also undertake some work experience.

Essentially you need to start looking at prospectuses or websites, and thinking about where you would like to go to medical school – there isn’t a “best” one for becoming an obstetrician, you actually learn the details after you qualify! Look for places that you like the look of, that you would like to study at, and whose entrance requirements you meet.

Best of luck.

[Rich' Trash]

If you don't get the grades for medicine but still have an interest in obstetrics, you could always do midwifery.

[KenLumLee]

wow thanks so much for the advice. now im not lost : P

[S Knights]

No worries, glad to help.

[>Freak<]

um..mind to tell me what's obstetrics about? I just can't remember all the specific medical field and the term that represent every single one of them..

[Spencer Wells]

Generally, obstetrics primarily involves the care of pregnant women, though some obstetricians specialise in treating subfertility.

[>Freak<]

I see..thanks for the reply. By the way, it would be really kind of you to share your experience and why do u think obstetrics' the future of your medical career? I personally never like obstetrics(anything to do with pregnant woman..maybe i'm a boy and i don't really understand what pregnant woman needs)

[dotvicky]

Jumping on an very old thread here, my main interests in obstetrics are due to the following:

a) Interested in the idea of dealing with two patients at the same time (mother and baby)
b) patient continuity of care but self-limiting in time
c) you get to keep your finger in both the medicine and surgery pies - the only specialty that this is possible in
d) I don't know, but I would hope that there are more 'good news' stories than in some other specialties.

The main downsides that I've heard are:

a) one of the most litigious specialties - not only can the parents sue you (and to be blunt, they probably sue more than other adult patients because they are fit and well - generally and they are very emotionally invested - for good reason) but the babies can as well when they grow up.
b) when things go wrong they go *very* wrong and often *very* fast
c) I think you're going to be on call at least a bit for the rest of your career.

It'd be good to hear obstetricians/gynae people's thoughts on my assumptions.

None of these put me off (at the moment) but I'm still not even a medical student yet so I've got a *very* long way to go until I get to choose if obs/gynae is still where I want to go.

Cheers
Vicky