Rotating through the OB-GYN department at Woodhull Medical Center was a unique experience. This was my fifth clinical rotation but many aspects of it proved to be very different from previous experiences. This was a rotation where I had the opportunity to work solely with female patients in a city hospital that serves patients regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Many patients did not speak English and required translation services, which allowed me to practice my very rudimentary Spanish and learn new medical phrases to help communicate better in the future. I have been trying to improve my Spanish throughout all of the previous rotations, so this experience was rewarding in allowing me to work with a predominantly Spanish-speaking population.

This rotation allowed for a lot of practice with the female physical exam. The patients and providers were both very open to allowing me to perform physical exams and diagnostic studies. I got a lot of experience with the gynecological examination including performing Pap smears, bimanual examinations, vaginal cultures, and breast exams, as well as obstetric evaluation with measuring fundal height, listening for fetal heart tones, and performing transvaginal ultrasounds for assessment of intrauterine pregnancy. I was not very confident in my skills regarding a female physical exam prior to this rotation, as previous experiences did not allow for much practice. This rotation allowed me to become knowledgeable and comfortable with performing a physical examination in the OB-GYN setting.

Perhaps the most rewarding experience of this rotation was assisting providers in labor and delivery. I had the opportunity to assist with a vaginal delivery that was complicated by an unfavorable fetal presentation as well as two emergency cesarean sections. The c-sections were the first time I got to scrub into a surgical procedure. I got to learn about the controlled and complicated aspects of performing surgery, especially in the setting of fetal or maternal compromise. Seeing how anesthesiologists, obstetricians, physician assistants, and nurses worked together to provide the best outcome for a mother and a newborn baby was amazing. I also got to work with midwives and witness their brilliant approach to vaginal deliveries. I observed how patient, calm, and soothing their demeanor was to the patient and how it positively impacted the patients experience of labor and delivery.

This rotation has taught me to recognize and care for the unique aspects of women’s health. I got the opportunity to assist in delivery, practice physical examinations, and learn about all of the details of caring for the unique health issues that women face. This wasn’t just a lesson in medicine, but also a lesson in counseling patients and listening to them on issues regarding single motherhood, unwanted or unexpected pregnancies, possible neoplasms, and unstable relationships. Patients disclosed personal issues and trusted providers with details of their lives, all because of the caring and compassionate demeanor they experienced. I hope to take the many lessons I’ve learned while working in women’s health to future rotations. Women’s health requires special care no matter the department it is provided in, and this experience has taught me how to provide care as a compassionate and knowledgeable provider.