16.8 Career Connections Related to the Reproductive System
Career Connections[1]
Gynecologists and Obstetricians
A gynecologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the female reproductive system. An obstetrician is a physician who specializes in providing medical care through pregnancy, labor, and delivery of a baby. Other subspecialties in women’s health include contraceptive educators, maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology, adolescent gynecology, and gynecological oncology.[2]
To learn more about obstetrics or gynecology, visit the specialty and subspecialty page of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Midwife
A midwife is an individual who assists women during pregnancy and childbirth. A certified nurse-midwife (CNM) is a type of advanced practice registered nurse who has completed advanced education and training. CNMs provide routine health care to women, including family planning, gynecological checkups, prenatal care, childbirth, and postpartum care.[3]
Read more about midwives at the Cleveland Clinic web page: Midwife.
OB and NICU Nurses
An OB nurse is a registered nurse who specializes in providing care to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. They work in various health care settings, including hospitals, birthing centers, and OB/GYN clinics, and work closely with obstetricians and other midwives to ensure that a woman’s pregnancy and delivery are as safe and healthy as possible. A nurse in a NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) is a specialized registered nurse who provides highly specialized care to critically ill or premature newborns.
Read more about OB nurses on the Sigma Global Nursing Excellence web page: Obstetrics Nurse (OB Nurse) Overview.
Pediatricians and Neonatologists
A pediatrician is a doctor who focuses on the health of infants, children, and adolescents, with pediatric care starting at birth. Neonatologists are physicians who specialize in the care of newborns, especially those who require special medical expertise, such as premature and critically ill newborns.[4]
Read more about pediatricians at the Medical News Today web page: What to Know About Pediatricians.
Urologist
A urologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatments of disorders of the urinary and reproductive systems.
To learn more about urology and the training involved to become a urologist, visit the American Urological Association, Why Urology? web page.
- Ernstmeyer, K., & Christman, E. (Eds.). (2024). Medical terminology 2e. Open RN | WisTech Open. https://wtcs.pressbooks.pub/medterm/ ↵
- American Board of Medical Specialties. (n.d.). American board of obstetrics and gynecology specialties & subspecialties. https://www.abms.org/board/american-board-of-obstetrics-gynecology/ ↵
- Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Midwife. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22648-midwife ↵
- Eske, J., & Gill, K. (2020). What to know about pediatricians. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-is-a-pediatrician ↵
A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the female reproductive system.
A physician who specializes in providing medical care through pregnancy, labor, and delivery of a baby.
An individual who assists women during pregnancy and childbirth.
A type of advanced practice registered nurse who has completed advanced education and training.
A doctor who focuses on the health of infants, children, and adolescents, with pediatric care starting at birth.
Physicians who specialize in the care of newborns, especially those that require special medical expertise, such as premature and critically ill newborns.
A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatments of disorders of the urinary and reproductive systems.
