5 Invaluable Tips for Breaking into Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Maternal-fetal medicine is a specialty where the focus is on high-risk pregnancies. These doctors are Obstetrics/Gynecology physicians who specialize in the most un-routine cases of pregnancy. The specialty requires an additional 2-3 years of education and training after becoming an OB/GYN. If you have a chronic health problem or a serious medical concern that develops during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, then you may be referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. However, you might be wondering what all goes into becoming a maternal-fetal medicine doctor? Here are some great ideas to help get your foot in the door.

1. An OB/GYN Internship

While maternal-fetal medicine is more specialized than OB/GYN work, the fact remains that you have to become an OB first. Getting an internship or a position allowing you to observe an OB in action will help you decide whether or not this field is really for you. It is best to do this at least one or two summers during your undergraduate college career. Internships look good on your applications to medical school, and the doctor you intern for will make a great reference as well, provided you impress him or her.

2. A Bachelor Degree in Medical Sonography

Many pre-med undergraduates will choose to major in biology or mathematics, and these certainly give you a thorough background in human anatomy and statistics, which are both important when entering medical school. However, if you are truly set on maternal-fetal medicine, then a diagnostic medical sonography degree could be invaluable. You will still receive an adequate background in science and math, but in addition, you will get actual experience dealing with mothers and pregnancies.

3. Go to a Medical School with High Women’s Health Rankings

While any medical school can get you on the track to becoming an M-F medicine specialist, some schools are better than others. The US News and World Report has a ranking list of the best Women’s Health medical schools in the country. Yes, all the Ivy League colleges are listed there, but so are a few state schools. Going to one of these schools will not only enhance your credibility in your field, but it will also be easier to obtain a top-notch women’s health residency.

4. Get a Good Basic OB/GYN Internship and Residency

While it might seem to make more sense to get the internship most-related to maternal-fetal medicine possible, it actually does not. In order to spot the abnormalities, you first have to know what normal looks like. Focus on honing your skills as an OB before making the jump into high risk.

5. Work with the Best

Once you are finally ready to begin your specialization in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, then you will want to be looking at who to work with. Aim to work with the best-educated, most highly-ranked physicians possible. Not only will this enhance your learning experience, but it will add to your credibility as a specialist in the future. Patients are always more comfortable when they know you are good at what you do. Getting into maternal-fetal medicine is a lengthy process, but a rewarding one. Helping mothers guide their children into the world safely can be a really amazing experience. Only the very best students can become doctors and only the very best doctors become specialists. Remember that as you begin or continue your journey.