Reflecting on My Clerkship Experience: Obstetrics & Gynecology

This is looooong overdue, but better late than never ;-) Since I did an additional month of OBGYN in June, I am going to include the details of that too...

From the AAMC Careers in Medicine Clinical Evaluation 

1. Name and Location of Clinical Rotation: 

• Indiana University Hospital High Risk Obstetrics & Benign Gynecology 
• Ambulatory Obstetrics & Gynecology: IU Hospital & Wishard Hospital 

2. What did I like most about this specialty?

• The patient population. Women's health is awesome and all women patients is definitely my favorite...sorry guys!
• The variety. It is a great balance of ambulatory care, surgery, and even inpatient management.  
• The longterm patient relationship. I love the idea of keeping up with my patient's lives and having them remain a part of my practice for years...
• Being a part of such an intimate and unforgettable moment in a family's life. Delivering a baby is an experience that has not compared to anything I have experienced during my clinical years.
• The subject matter. Being an extrovert can really help you in the medical field, but I think that my openness with sexual health and subjects that others may be less comfortable discussing is another big reason why I love this field. 
• The hours. OBGYN has such a bad reputation historically with not being family-friendly and not having time for a life outside of the hospital - which used to be true. I really obsessed about speaking with all of the moms that I worked with during my rotation (and thankfully, there were many!). Each physician was very candid about how balance can be a challenge, but they also had great insight on how they made their hours work for them. 

3. What did I like least about this specialty?

• Miscarriages and loss of term pregnancy. It is so heartbreaking :-( But I will say that I am glad that I feel capable of supporting my patients when they go through such a terrible experience. 

4. Did this clinical rotation give me a good sense of what practice in this specialty would be like? 

Yes, for sure. I got to experience regular obstetrics, maternal fetal medicine (high risk), benign gynecology, night float (5PM-8AM) and even urgent care. I also worked with a lot of different physicians, so I was able to see the different ways one can practice OBGYN as well.

5. Did my interests, values, skills and/or personality "fit" with this specialty? If yes, in what way did they "fit"? If no, why might they not be compatible? 

YES! As far as personality, my attendings and residents have all been very laid-back, open, and approachable. Most days it is a very happy place to be and they celebrate with their patients, and when there is loss, they mourn with their patients too. Regardless of the circumstance, I can see that they love what they do and they love to teach.  I think I would fit in well. The whole time I was on this service I felt like I was with "my people".

And I actually enjoyed studying for this exam because it was all so interesting to me. Even now, with no exam to study for, I find myself reading journals and genuinely interested in learning more and more. Other doctors tell you that you just have that feeling when you know you found your niche and I feel it for sure. I'm so excited!

Photo Credit

6. What are the possible practice settings for specialists in this field? Which of these settings interest me and do I know enough about them? 

All of my exposure has been in the academic field, which I think I would like because I enjoy teaching - even now, it is fun to work with the third year medical students and help teach exam technique. It's funny because that was me like a month ago, but I feel so much more comfortable and capable now. I would like to spend some time in more of private-practice model just so I can see how the two differ.

7. What information do I still need to find out about this specialty? 

How soon can I start? LOL

8. Has my perception of this specialty changed based on my clinical rotation experience? 

Yes, see #2 when I talk about the hours...

9. Did my clinical rotation experience influence the likelihood of choosing a career in this specialty? If yes, how did it influence me? 

For sure. I had a feeling that I would enjoy OBGYN, but I had no idea that I would end up loving it so much!

10. Right now, on a scale of 1-10, how interested am I in this specialty as a career option? 

10!! This is it!

11. Other comments or reflections about this rotation or specialty: 

• This experience has made me seriously consider Maternal Fetal Medicine (high risk obstetrics) as a career option. I enjoy the gynecology part of the specialty, however, so now I need to start figuring out if this is something I would be willing to part with in my pursuit of MFM. 

• Also, as a fourth year I got to participate in Residents' Day - it is the day that fourth year residents graduate, so all the residents have the day off for events. This meant that the MS4s were able to act as the interns (first year residents). I was first assist on a c-section and a vaginal delivery that day. It was nerve wrecking because I was actually in charge, but I loved it! (OK, our attendings were the bosses, but nurses were calling us first...)  Definitely gave me a good taste of what it would be like when things were official :-)  

See It. Do It.

I'm so excited to introduce to you today's "See It. Do It." mom! Her interview is a candid and insightful peek into the life of a med student with not one, not two, but THREE children! Can you say "Superwoman"?! Amazing. 

Name: Preethi Schmeidler

Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine

Graduation Year: 2014

Future (or Current) Specialty: Mostly undecided!

How many children do you have and their ages: Three – ages 5, 3, and 1

Did you do any post-undergraduate schooling or working before attending medical school?

After college I had a short but successful career as a banker (not the corrupt kind!).  Once I decided to pursue medicine (again), I took a few courses at a local university (I was pre-med in undergrad and I had already completed most of the prerequisite courses).

Did you have any of your children during medical school? If so, how did you “plan” for it?

Yes – my youngest son was born at the end of my first year – one week before my renal/endocrine final!  I took the test on time, and did not perform as well as usual.  But I managed to pass!

Early in my 2^nd trimester, I sat down with one of the Deans, and we looked at the school calendar close to my due date and planned how we would handle various required activities that I would have to miss.  I had already decided that I would take as little time off as possible so that I could finish the school year on time.  When the baby came, I was allowed to make up most of the required activities for the final module on my own time, and managed to have days when I went to campus and made up 2 or 3 labs in the same afternoon.  I podcasted all of the lectures from home while the baby slept.

What kind of childcare do you employ? (i.e. live-in nanny, family help, daycare, babysitters)

My kids all go to a fantastic daycare center that is located very close to my school and my husband’s office.  Before my youngest was able to go to daycare, my husband worked from home whenever I needed to go to campus (about once per week).  After a few weeks, my mom came and lived with us for a couple more weeks, so I could focus a little bit more on school.

Currently, I try to keep all of my school-related activities within those times that my kids are in daycare and keep a consistent evening/weekend routine with the family.  I know this will change once I hit clinicals starting in June, so either my husband or extended family will be able to help pick up the slack.

What has been the biggest challenge to handling medical school (and/or practicing medicine) along with having children? How have you overcome it?

The hardest part is resisting the pressure to let medical school take over my entire life!  Many times it takes conscious effort to play with my kids without flipping through flash cards or watch a movie with my husband without having my laptop open, studying.  As hard as it is, I’ve found that if I do only school during my designated school hours and only family time in the evenings and much of the weekends, I’m more dedicated to and efficient at both.  My family is happier too, and they have an easier time respecting my study time.

Do you feel like your school/job is “flexible” to any family issues that may arise?

For now, yes.  Podcasting allows me a great deal of flexibility.  However, I’m not confident that the clinical years will be very flexible.  I am thankful that I have a dedicated and capable husband that can pick up my slack.  It’s also good to have some extended family nearby.

How do you find time to study in addition to class time?

I study much less than many of my peers.  I’m not at the top of my class, but I’ve become efficient enough with the time that I do spend studying that I’m happy with where my performance stands.  I think that’s important if you decide to take on the commitment of medical school on top of raising a family.  I go to class and study from 8 am until 3:30 or 4.  When the baby goes to bed for the night, I resume studying until I’m ready to go to bed.  My husband puts the older kids to bed when their bedtimes roll around.  On weekends, I only study during naptime and then again in the evening.

Sometimes, when exams are coming up, I get upset that I can’t spend an entire Saturday studying.  But then I remember how blessed I am to have my little built-in distractors, and I get over it pretty quickly.

What is one item/strategy that you have that helps to make life easier as a mother and medical student/physician? (i.e. organizational method, electronic device, calendar tool, etc.)

I write everything down, usually in my iPhone somewhere so that I always have access.  This includes shopping lists, to-do lists, upcoming events, etc.  There are some great free iPhone apps out there to help with this!

My husband and I use a shared Gmail calendar were we each add any work, school, and family commitments.  That way we are always (well, usually) on the same page as far as what’s going on for any given week.

What kinds of things do you do to “relax”?

I love to play games with my kids, although they are still young enough that they don’t have the attention span for anything complicated.  Go Fish, Operation, Candyland—bring it on!  I love seeing them master a new game!  I also enjoy cooking; I cook dinner almost every night and I really enjoy making something wonderful from a bunch of discrete ingredients.  Also high on my list is kicking back on the deck with my husband and a glass of wine after dinner while the kids play.

Do you feel that your experience as a mother has made you a better doctor or future doctor? If so, how?

Absolutely!  I’m more sensitive to the needs of others.  I’m a better multi-tasker.  I’m more efficient.  I’m more focused in stressful situations.  I’m more comfortable with other people’s kids and more empathetic to the struggles of other parents.  Gross bodily functions don’t gross me out anymore.  I’m more confident in my decisions.  Most importantly though, I won’t be worrying about when I’m going to find time to start a family—I’ve already been through that major adjustment!

What advice do you have to the women who want to pursue medicine with children?

1. Live to serve God in everything that you do, and thank Him often!
2. Be honest with yourself about your expectations.  You can’t do everything and be everywhere, so are you willing to cut corners with the less important stuff?
3. Your family always comes first.  Period.  Medical school is temporary; your children will always be your children.   With that being said, it’s ok to set boundaries and expectations so that you are able to meet the demands of your coursework.
4. If you are married, the health of your marriage must be a priority.  It’s easy to forget how difficult it is for a spouse who isn’t a medical student to be on the outside looking in.  

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Are you a physician or medical student mom who would like to share her story? Send me an email at Mrs.Mommy.MD@gmail.com

See It. Do It.

Everyone who knows me well knows that I am a HUGE proponent of goal-setting and visualization. If you can see yourself being it, then you can definitely do it, right? Whenever I am trying to do something new, my first instinct is to seek the counsel of someone who has gone through a similar experience. Not only is it reassuring, but also a way to ensure that you don't waste time re-inventing the wheel - because we have to work smarter and not harder.


That being said, in an effort to broaden the MrsMommyMD perspective a bit - giving my readers more visuals - I have recruited the help of some amazing women. And today, I'm so excited to roll out the inaugural "See It. Do It." Interview! 

There is no better way to start than with the woman who, in 2008, helped a pregnant and terrified college senior (me...haha), see that my own dream of going to medical school with a small child was still possible because she was doing just that. Now a resident, Monique is still someone I continue look up to: 

Name: Monique Bowles

Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine

Graduation Year: 2010

Specialty: Obstetrics-Gynecology

How many children do you have and their ages: 2 children; Jaylen, 8yrs old and Malachi, 2yrs old

Did you do any post-undergraduate schooling or working before attending medical school?
Yes, I worked as a research assistant at the University of Michigan in Neuropsychology one year prior to
entering medical school.

Did you have any of your children during medical school? If so, how did you “plan” for it?
I had my second child, Malachi, as a fourth year medical student. I planned to have him during my
fourth year because the schedule was the least demanding. There was no studying or exams to be
concerned with. I tried to time having him after interview season, which did not quite happen. But
overall everything worked out.

What kind of childcare do you employ?
My husband started graduate school once I began residency, so he stayed at home with Malachi during
the day until I got home and then he would attend his classes. My older son, Jaylen, was in school
throughout the day. With my husband home, he was able to drop off and pick up my oldest son to and
from school. Both my husband’s and my parents live close, so they were also to help watch our children
whenever needed. My husband recently started working the beginning of this year. So, our neighbor has
graciously helped by babysitting 3 days a week, while by parents help the rest of the week

What has been the biggest challenge to handling medical school and/or practicing medicine along with having children? How have you overcome it?
The biggest challenge as a resident is the lack of time I have to spend with my children. Unfortunately
a resident schedule just does not allow much free time. I am often left feeling guilty. I have gone as far
as to question my career choice. However, I am blessed to have a supportive husband and family whom
continue to encourage me. On my days off I am attending my oldest son’s basketball or football games. I
am taking the kids to the movies or the park. I make sure it’s all about them. I must say an even bigger
challenge is making sure my husband feels appreciated. When I’m placing all my focus on the children, I
sometimes forget him. It’s a work in progress and no one ever said marriage would be easy. I thank God
for him and his dedication to our family.

Do you feel like your school/job is “flexible” to any family issues that may arise?
I am blessed to be in a residency program where when family issues arise, there are people volunteering
to help. Luckily, I have not suffered any major issues, but I have colleagues that have and every time we
have rose to the occasion.

What is one item/strategy that you have that helps to make life easier as a mother and medical student/physician? (i.e. organizational method, electronic device, calendar tool, etc.)
I keep everything written down.

What kinds of things do you do to “relax”?
When time permits, I like to have a quiet dinner or movie night with my husband. It always helps if I get a
massage out of the deal too!

Do you feel that your experience as a mother has made you a better doctor or future doctor? If so, how?
I had my first son while attending undergraduate school. My experience raising him has had the most
influence on the type of individual I have become. Having a child at a young age and unmarried at the
time was difficult. I had to grow up fast. As a result, I became more responsible, organized, efficient, and
humbled. These qualities have allowed me to better connect with my patients at work. I judge less. I
show more compassion. I pay closer attention to detail. I feel an overwhelming obligation to make sure
my patient receives the best care. Having become more efficient and organized has aided me in taking
care of the most ill patients.

What advice do you have to the women who want to pursue medicine with children?
Keep God first. Pray every day. It’s the quality not quantity of time you spend with your children that
matters. Know you are doing the best for your family. Continue to study hard and work hard. Keep
those around you whom are supportive and have your best interest. Lastly, know you are truly blessed
and highly favored.

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Are you a physician or medical student mom who would like to share her story? Send me an email at Mrs.Mommy.MD@gmail.com