OBGYN Rotation tips?

[Hopefulmeds]

Hi all,

My first rotation is OBGYN! I have 2 questions

1. Generally, are there any tips that you guys can give me on how to do well in OBGYN?


2. Is it true that attendings are easier on you in the 1st rotation and don't expect as much from you as your later rotations?

Thanks!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Espion]

Hi all,

My first rotation is OBGYN! I have 2 questions

1. Generally, are there any tips that you guys can give me on how to do well in OBGYN?


2. Is it true that attendings are easier on you in the 1st rotation and don't expect as much from you as your later rotations?

Thanks!

Testosterone room spray?

OB-GYN is fun depending on what you are allowed to do and the estrogen levels in your department. As an astute classmate of mine said, "There is a reason why women will never rule the world...because they just don't get along." (Before someone flies off the handle, I am a girl, therefore, I know this is true.) Hopefully your experience will be more like actual OB-GYN and less like junior high.

Anyway, as far as first rotations go, it is true that they know you might not know as much as your later rotations, but that does not mean they expect less from you. You should never approach a rotation that way, because all through the year you'll eventually end up with residents that could care less about teaching students, and thus, expect nothing from you. Those really suck, because you'll find yourself stagnating big time.

As far as expectations go, they don't really want you to recite Harrison's, Sabiston's or any other such "bible" of the field. They want you to be interested, they want you to be motivated to learn, they want you to be involved. Sometimes that is really, really hard when you could absolutely care less about the field. And they do realize that it happens, but these are people who chose this field. The absolute best thing you can do for yourself all year is to have a good attitude. This will be a lot harder than it sounds at times, believe me.

Specifically OB-GYN, lessee...
We have a pretty messed up OB-GYN rotation. Because of legal reasons, all H&P's, progress notes, exams, etc. were basically done for our own health. The way ours is set up is 1 week complicated obstetrics, 1 week with the midwives, 2 weeks of gyn, 5 days of L&D 12 hour night shift.
Know the patients you have, don't be afraid to jump on in and do procedures/deliver babies, scrub into the surgeries, etc. Its pretty easy to be enthusiastic on your first rotation, so use that to your advantage.

I'm sure other people will have better advice on how to succeed in this rotation academically. I won't comment, because although I did just fine on the NBME, I really did despise this rotation. I just did a fairly good job of hiding that fact from the residents and attendings. Delivering babies is awesome, but I'd rather run after the baby than stick around with the placenta.

 

[edmadison]

Best advice: always wear the booties -- not the shoe covers when scrubbing in on a C-section.

Ed

 

[Espion]

Best advice: always wear the booties -- not the shoe covers when scrubbing in on a C-section.

Ed

Oh my yes. You'll always end up on the wrong side of the fluid gush. Mark my words.

Also be prepared to never forget the smell of amniotic fluid again. One of my babies kicked me in the face (I was contorted over the bed, because the dadgum nurses would never break it and/or call the docs in time). Full on foot plant. I think I still smell it.

 

[Chris's patient]

Hi all,

My first rotation is OBGYN! I have 2 questions

1. Generally, are there any tips that you guys can give me on how to do well in OBGYN?


2. Is it true that attendings are easier on you in the 1st rotation and don't expect as much from you as your later rotations?

Thanks!

Bend Over!!!

 

[Stinger86]

Bend over, indeed. OB/Gyn was, by far, the most horrible rotation of my third year (a million times worse than surgery). And from the look of things, many people agree.

Sorry, I have nothing to offer, as my brain has already started the arduous process of sequestering my ob/gyn memories where I'll never find them again. Besides, Espion has provided perfect advice. Go with that.

 

[Stinger86]

And yes, if you've never seen a c-section, it's the most gruesome operation you'll ever experience. Blood/fluid EVERYWHERE, uterus outside the body like some fanny pack, surgeons acting like it's no big dealing that liquid is coming out of this gaping hole like they hit oil, pulling some large whitish pink creature out, etc.

That being said, I'd rather scrub in on a c/s anyday than do a vaginal delivery. Gross!!!!

 

[bigfrank]

Assertive females have a hard time on OB/Gyn, in fact, most females do. (For the same reason that guys tend to have a harder time on GS than the gals.)

If you are a guy, I've found that being insanely nice to the residents is especially helpful. These gals are notoriously insecure and power-hungry and if you allow them to think that you are eager to listen and really think they're smart, they will really like you. Almost as if they've "conquered" you as a medical student and have asserted their supremacy.

I took my own advice and got raving reviews from my OB/Gyn residents.

Good luck

 

[GiJoe]

if you want to secure a good grade, just spend your time studying for the shelf. OBGYN is such a malignant rotation that counting on a good clinical grade by working tremendously hard is just stupid.

 

[Espion]

Ha! Its a wonder anyone goes into this field.

 

[bababuey]

Hi all,

My first rotation is OBGYN! I have 2 questions

1. Generally, are there any tips that you guys can give me on how to do well in OBGYN?


2. Is it true that attendings are easier on you in the 1st rotation and don't expect as much from you as your later rotations?

Thanks!

REad First Aid for OB/GYN twice and be proactive...Ask to do things or atleast let it be known that you would be interested in doing things...

 

[calot's 3angle]

i'm at the end of my 3rd year and after about 3 days on the ob/gyn rotation, i decided that ob/gyn was for me (general surgery was my other option). i think this definitely helped me get along better with the residents and they were probably generally more friendly and less "bitchy" towards me.

but i think the general rule applies that if you want to have good grades during 3rd year, be eager (pretend even) to volunteer for stuff, try to be a pleasant person to be around (always willing to help out and positive and proactive), if you have some downtime and can read in the general vicinity of the residents, read because then they will see that you've been reading and trying to learn. it's a $hitty year in the way that you seem to be evaluated on *everything* not just your clinical knowledge but also your interpersonal skills, but try to always focus on the patients and their need for your care. that usually got me through the various levels of 3rd year hell (fatigue, self-consciousness, frustration, being treated like $hit by some nurses, learning to balance self-confidence and not coming across as egotistical, having no life, etc...)

i didn't think the shelf test was that difficult, but i had the rotation 4th, after surgery, psych, and peds. depending on where your hospital is, it would be helpful to learn some spanish words relavant to gyn stuff and ob especially. blueprints is generally a good way to go and people have mentioned this in other forums, the Case Files book by Troy is excellent. I read it through twice in the 4-5 days before my shelf; it's an easy read but very instructive and highlights most of the important concepts in a way that's easy to follow and that illustrates how the shelf exam wants you to think.

and one last thing i want to say is that ob/gyn residents can be bitchy, but there are also lots of them that are awesome doctors who are very passionate about their work. i also think that they are no more difficult to deal/work with than some dingus male physicians and surgeons. ob/gyns are just easier to label because the field is so predominantly female now. you'll encounter bitchy and dingus physicians during 3rd year, you have to learn how to deal with them and yourself in those kinds of working situations.

i hope you have a good experience. just remember to keep your chin up, try not to sweat the small stuff, and the patient always comes first (though your education is a very close second if not a tie for first). good luck! 😉

 

[Cpt.Hook Hamate]

Hi all,

My first rotation is OBGYN! I have 2 questions

1. Generally, are there any tips that you guys can give me on how to do well in OBGYN?


2. Is it true that attendings are easier on you in the 1st rotation and don't expect as much from you as your later rotations?

Thanks!

Take it from a guy who really tried hard to like to like OB/GYN, you will absolutely not believe the amount of cattiness you are about to witness. You think you area prepared for the cattiness don't you? You grew up with 11 sisters and think you've seen it all, don't you. You haven't!

"There is a reason why women will never rule the world...because they just don't get along." (Before someone flies off the handle, I am a girl, therefore, I know this is true.) Hopefully your experience will be more like actual OB-GYN and less like junior high."

I hate to say it but this true. Man, you won't believe that these people are doctors and your own female classmates is likely to join in. Just be prepared and don't get involved. Just bend over and take it.

BIG Frank has some great rules to follow. copy the post and carry it in your lab coat and read it every morning. I used the same rules and if you read my bOB/GYN evals, you would think I was the second coming of Jesus.

And like edmadison said "wear the long booties with leg coverings for c-sections and may God be with you.

 

[bigfrank]

"There is a reason why women will never rule the world...because they just don't get along." (Before someone flies off the handle, I am a girl, therefore, I know this is true.) Hopefully your experience will be more like actual OB-GYN and less like junior high."

This comment really sounds like me! I've been telling my friends all rotation that, "OB/Gyn is excellent insight to the chaos that the world would be in if women were exclusively allowed to rule the world."

thanks for sharing, I can tell we'd get along in 'real life.'

 

[Mumpu]

I'm a guy and I approached OB/Gyn with trepidation. It ended up being my second best rotation of the year (second to medicine, of course!). I learned a lot (OB/Gyn teaching in the first two years is done mostly by The Pathologists and it sucks monkey @$$), I got to do a lot, people were nice (but yes, a lot of wars in the department).

Anyone else think the uterus during a c-section looks like a chicken? 😀

My approach to every rotation was to set some specific goals for myself. For OB, I wanted to learn the gyn exam (c-section, pelvics, bimanuals etc), normal delivery, and systematic approach to common OB/Gyn problems (dysfunctional bleeding, infertility workup, etc.) Btw, I was surprised by how few people objected to my exams. I was able to do a bimanual on just about every patient after my resident had done one. Tell people you want to be involved, tell them what specific things you want to get out of the rotation. And wear booties.

 

[Espion]

This comment really sounds like me! I've been telling my friends all rotation that, "OB/Gyn is excellent insight to the chaos that the world would be in if women were exclusively allowed to rule the world."

thanks for sharing, I can tell we'd get along in 'real life.'

Heyyyyy, that comment was mine! Credit where credit is due, buddy. 😉

I have a problem with 'tl;dr' posts.

 

[GITM]

After the excitement of week 1-2, this becomes the worst rotation ever.

I hid as much as I could and caught other students hiding too.

Just nailed the shelf

Happy with my "high pass"

 

[ussdfiant]

1. Can you feel the baby move?
2. Are you having contractions?
3. Vaginal bleeding?
4. Gush of fluid from between your legs?
5. Any complications during pregnancy?
6. How far dilated during last cervical exam?

Repeat

 

[zion]

Whatever you do, DO NOT DROP THE BABY!!! This is probably the key to suceed in OB/GYN.

 

[doc05]

smile and pretend you're interested. It's an awful rotation and you'll meet plenty of dysfunctional personalities. Plus lots of interesting patients.

 

[Boomer]

Whatever you do, DO NOT DROP THE BABY!!! This is probably the key to suceed in OB/GYN.

And don't refer to the holy delivery route as "the cooch." Makes life easier.....

 

[TruTrooper]

The key to making this rotation is benign as possible is to start brainwashing yourself immediately. Keep telling yourself as much as possible that you will enjoy this rotation no matter what. You have to be adamant about this. Tell yourself that absolutely no one will destroy this experience for you. Even psyche youreslf into thinking that you want to go into the filed. After hearing all of the rummors, I did this and it really worked and once it was over, I realized how much I really didn't eenjoy but at least I made it through better than most. 🙂

 

[njbmd]

Hi there,
First of all, OB-Gyn was interesting but not for me. I tried to observe and learn everything that I could possibly find. Delivering babies was fun and a whole new set of things to work on. I do not put much stock in personalities so I didn't have too many problems with the residents or the attendings. We had a pretty good mix of males and females who were pretty knowledgeable and taught us well. Once you get used to the OB-speak, you can enjoy taking care of the patients.

I really found that while I enjoyed OB-Gyn, I missed taking care of male patients. I also enjoyed the anatomy of the Gyn surgeries and gots lots of practice with the laparoscope. I only had to do overnight call when I did my two weeks of Labor and Delivery. Our hospital was so busy that there wasn't lots of time for pettiness. The midwives were always griping about the OB-Gyn interns but even that was pretty lame after a while. Gripers are gripers and you will find them everywhere.

I used BRS for OB-Gyn and found that was all that I needed for this rotation. The shelf exam was very, very easy. It was a fast eight weeks and then I moved on to Internal Medicine which dragged. Learn the basic stuff and learn to do a good and thorough pelvic exam with Pap smear. Other than that, OB-Gyn was pretty benign.

njbmd 🙂

 

[Chisel]

I will give you the advice that my resident gave to me just prior to my first delivery....

"Whatever you do don't drop the baby. And if you do, fall on the floor and fake a seizure."

In all seriousness, I think you should approach all rotations with the hopes to learn something that will be useful in your career. Even if you don't plan on becoming an Ob/Gyn today, you should have an open mind on all of your rotations and put your best effort forth.

Are there going to be months that you don't want to or are to tired to put forth a good effort? Sure there will be. Just remember to force yourself to learn something new everyday. And, don't work yourself into the ground. Enjoy your time away from medicine now because as residency approaches your time in medicine will grow and your free time is going to disappear.

Chisel
PCOM MS IV

 

[bigfrank]

Enjoy your time away from medicine now because as residency approaches your time in medicine will grow and your free time is going to disappear.

Not necessarily!!! 😉

 

[MediCane2006]

I'm glad I saw this post - I consider myself an expert on ObGyn since my experience on that rotation made a deep and lasting impression on me. Three big tips:

1. Find a few good linen closets to hide in during L and D time. You will NOT be missed and it is infinitely preferable to the alternative. The smell of amniotic fluid penetrates into linen closets well enough that you will get plenty of "atmosphere" without the accompanying drudgeries of clinical tasks.
2. Do not quit medical school - it is NOT all this bad. Be sure you have a supportive friend to talk to when you start thinking about quitting med school anyway, because there will be days when it seems like a viable option, compared to one more day spent covered in amniotic fluid with a hormonally frustrated power-hungry resident yelling at you.
3. Pray that the whole experience will be over quickly.

In all seriousness this was the worst rotation I ever did. I have no idea why people go into this field. 👎

 

[cdr50]

Go to pocketdilationguide.com. Buy one. Practice with it. With your eyes closed. At least you'll have cervical dilation down before you get there and a little less anxiety about jumping in and doing exams.

 

[Mumpu]

That goes into my "Creepy Medical Demos" collection, right alongside the row of prostates that you feel by sticking finger into the holes.