Women's and Newborn Health: Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Neonatal Care

By vaayaa Editorial Team · Subject panel: Dr. Priya Sharma (MD, Internal Medicine), Dr. Sarah Johnson (MD, Public Health)

Gynaecology, obstetrics and neonatal care are three distinct but deeply connected fields that together cover women's reproductive health, pregnancy and childbirth, and the survival and wellbeing of newborns in their first weeks of life. Each field offers a broad range of clinical, coordination and education roles, and all three face growing workforce demand driven by persistent global health gaps.

Women's and newborn health sits at the centre of every country's public health agenda. Gynaecology covers the full lifespan of female reproductive health, from adolescence through menopause. Obstetrics focuses on pregnancy, labour and the immediate postnatal period. Neonatal care takes over the moment a baby is born, managing the critical first 28 days of life when the risk of death is highest. Together, these three fields form a continuum: a failure at any point affects outcomes across the others.

The numbers make the stakes clear. In 2023, researchers estimated 240,000 maternal deaths globally, a rate of 190.5 per 100,000 live births, and 2.3 million neonatal deaths in 2024 alone. Progress has been made over three decades, but it has slowed since 2015, and more than 100 countries still fall short of the UN's 2030 maternal mortality target. Meanwhile, in high-income countries, workforce shortages, burnout and geographic gaps in access are creating their own pressures. Professionals who understand the clinical, administrative and ethical dimensions of these fields are in demand across hospitals, community health settings, research institutions and health policy bodies worldwide.

This discourse covers what each field involves, the roles and day-to-day work they offer, the core skills and tools required, and the career pathways available. The Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine programme, the Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine programme and the Neonatology and Newborn Care programme each address one of these fields in depth. Readers who want to explore before committing can read the free first section of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine at no cost.

Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine: Scope, Roles and Skills

Gynaecology is the branch of medicine concerned with the health of the female reproductive system across the entire lifespan. It encompasses diagnosis and management of conditions ranging from menstrual disorders and pelvic pain to ovarian cysts, cervical cancer, endometriosis, infertility and menopause. Reproductive medicine, which often sits within or alongside gynaecology, adds a focus on hormonal function, assisted conception and fertility preservation. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), which has more than 62,000 members, describes ob-gyns as dedicated to both the medical and surgical care of women's health throughout the lifespan ^[1].

Within gynaecology, ACOG recognises four board-certified subspecialties: gynaecologic oncology, female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and maternal-fetal medicine ^[1]. Each subspecialty requires additional fellowship training beyond the core OB/GYN residency. Professionals who work in coordination, health education or administrative roles within these settings do not need a medical degree, but they do need a solid grounding in the biological systems, ethical frameworks and regulatory structures that govern care delivery.

Typical Roles and Day-to-Day Work

Clinical roles in gynaecology include gynaecologist, reproductive endocrinologist, gynaecologic oncologist, clinical nurse specialist and nurse practitioner. Non-clinical roles include health services coordinator, patient navigator, clinical educator, medical writer and quality improvement analyst. A gynaecology coordinator, for example, manages appointment scheduling, pre-procedure counselling, consent documentation and post-procedure follow-up, acting as the link between the clinical team and the patient. The discipline requires extensive knowledge of reproductive physiology, including the physiological, social, cultural, environmental and genetic factors that influence disease ^[2].

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 22,800 employed obstetricians and gynecologists in 2025, with employment projected to reach 23,200 by 2035, a 2 per cent increase ^[3]. The mean annual wage for OB/GYNs was reported at $281,130 in 2024 BLS data, with a median that is top-coded at $239,200 or more because a large share of the occupation earns above that threshold ^[4]. These figures cover wage-and-salary workers and exclude self-employed physicians, so they understate total compensation in independent practice ^[4].

Fact The US BLS counted 22,800 employed obstetricians and gynecologists in 2025 and projects 2 per cent employment growth to 2035, producing roughly 400 net new jobs over the decade. Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025 data ^[3].

Core Skills and Tools

• Anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive system, including hormonal cycles and common pathologies
• Pelvic examination technique, cervical screening interpretation and colposcopy awareness
• Ultrasound literacy: understanding transvaginal and transabdominal imaging reports
• Fertility assessment tools: hormone panels, hysterosalpingography, semen analysis coordination
• Electronic health record (EHR) management and clinical documentation standards
• Patient counselling on contraception, fertility, menopause and cancer screening
• Knowledge of ethical and legal frameworks governing reproductive choice and consent
• Familiarity with ACOG, RCOG and FIGO clinical guidelines and their updates

Training in gynaecology and reproductive medicine is increasingly shaped by competency-based frameworks, simulation and digital tools. A 2025 review published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica found that postgraduate training now adopts competency-based frameworks enhanced by simulation, virtual reality and tele-education, while continuing medical education has shifted toward flexible digital platforms and structured credentialing ^[5]. Global bodies including FIGO, RCOG and ACOG are actively promoting curriculum harmonisation and equity across high-income and lower-income settings ^[5].

Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Managing Pregnancy and Birth

Obstetrics is the branch of medicine that manages pregnancy, labour, delivery and the immediate postnatal period. Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM), a subspecialty of obstetrics, focuses specifically on high-risk pregnancies, including those complicated by pre-existing conditions, multiple gestation, fetal anomalies or severe hypertensive disorders. The global burden that makes this field so important is stark: in 2023, researchers identified 240,000 total maternal deaths globally, equating to a global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 190.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to a study published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Women's Health ^[6]. Maternal deaths accounted for 5.5 per cent of all deaths among females aged 10 to 54 years ^[6].

Progress has been real but uneven. From 2000 to 2023, the global MMR declined by 40 per cent, from 328 deaths to 197 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to UN inter-agency estimates ^[7]. However, progress has stalled since 2015, and the 2023 MMR remained nearly three times higher than the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3.1 target of fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030 ^[8]. Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounted for 70 per cent of global maternal deaths in 2023, with a regional MMR of 454 per 100,000 live births, compared to 3 in Australia and New Zealand ^[7]. Maternal haemorrhage and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy together account for more than 40 per cent of maternal deaths globally ^[8].

Fact Every day in 2023, approximately 712 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, equivalent to one death every two minutes. Source: WHO/UNICEF/UNFPA/World Bank Group inter-agency estimates, 2024 ^[7].

Typical Roles and Day-to-Day Work

Obstetric roles span a wide spectrum. Obstetricians and MFM specialists manage clinical care. Obstetric nurses and certified nurse midwives (CNMs) provide hands-on support before, during and after labour. An OB/GYN nurse cares for pregnant women before, during and immediately after labour, while an obstetrics nurse practitioner may oversee the birthing process ^[9]. All registered nurse jobs are projected to grow by 5 per cent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the national average ^[9]. Beyond clinical roles, obstetric services require labour and delivery coordinators, antenatal education facilitators, perinatal quality improvement officers and maternal health data analysts.

The US HRSA reported in November 2024 that the maternal health workforce includes more than 308,000 physicians across family medicine, general internal medicine, OB/GYN and neonatal and perinatal medicine, alongside approximately 201,000 nurses specialising in gynaecology, obstetrics, labour and delivery, or neonatology ^[10]. Despite this scale, a documented shortage of OB/GYNs is keeping delivery-capable clinicians in demand across nearly every US region ^[4]. A study cited by the March of Dimes found that 5.5 million American women have limited or no access to maternity care ^[11].

Core Skills and Tools

• Antenatal assessment: fundal height measurement, fetal heart rate monitoring and kick-count interpretation
• Obstetric ultrasound literacy: dating scans, anomaly scans, growth scans and Doppler studies
• Labour management: partogram use, intrapartum monitoring and recognition of obstetric emergencies
• Postpartum care: uterine involution assessment, breastfeeding support and postnatal mental health screening
• High-risk pregnancy protocols: pre-eclampsia management, gestational diabetes pathways and preterm labour prevention
• Pharmacology: tocolytics, corticosteroids for fetal lung maturity, oxytocics and magnesium sulphate
• Multidisciplinary team communication: handover tools such as SBAR and escalation protocols
• Data and audit skills: maternal outcome tracking, perinatal mortality review and quality improvement cycles

The Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine programme builds the knowledge foundation for professionals who coordinate, manage and support obstetric services that protect both mother and child. You can explore the free first section of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine before making a commitment.

Neonatology and Newborn Care: The Critical First 28 Days

Neonatology is the subspecialty of paediatrics concerned with the care of newborns, particularly those who are premature, critically ill or have congenital conditions. The neonatal period, defined as the first 28 days of life, is the most vulnerable time for a child's survival. Children face the highest risk of dying in their first month of life, at an average global rate of 17.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, down by 53 per cent from 36.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990, according to UNICEF data ^[12]. Despite this progress, 2.3 million children died in the first month of life in 2024, approximately 6,200 neonatal deaths every day ^[12].

The leading causes of neonatal death include premature birth, birth complications such as birth asphyxia and trauma, neonatal infections and congenital anomalies, which collectively account for almost 4 in every 10 deaths in children under five years of age, according to WHO ^[13]. Most neonatal deaths (75 per cent) occur during the first week of life, and about 1 million newborns die within the first 24 hours ^[13]. Regional disparities are severe: a child born in sub-Saharan Africa was over 11 times more likely to die in the first month than a child born in Western Europe in 2024, while a child born in South Asia was nine times more likely to die ^[12].

Estimate UNICEF estimates that neonatal deaths accounted for 47 per cent of all under-five deaths in 2024, up from 40 per cent in 1990, reflecting the fact that neonatal mortality has declined more slowly than mortality in older children. Source: UNICEF Neonatal Mortality data, 2024 ^[12].

Typical Roles and Day-to-Day Work

Neonatal care is delivered across a tiered system of neonatal units: Level I (basic newborn care), Level II (special care for moderately preterm or ill infants) and Level III or IV (intensive care for the most critically ill neonates). Clinical roles include neonatologist, neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP), neonatal registered nurse, neonatal clinical nurse specialist and neonatal transport nurse. Non-clinical roles include neonatal unit coordinator, family support specialist, neonatal quality improvement officer and neonatal data analyst. The BLS groups NNPs under the broader nurse practitioner category (SOC 29-1171), which had a national median annual wage of $129,210 in 2024 ^[14]. NNPs typically earn near or slightly above the overall NP median, with actual pay varying by NICU level, geographic region and employer type ^[14].

The job outlook for nurse practitioners as a whole is exceptionally strong, with a projected growth rate of 40 per cent from 2024 to 2034, ranking among the fastest-growing occupations in healthcare ^[14]. The average neonatal nurse practitioner salary in the US was reported at $136,649 annually by ZipRecruiter in May 2025, placing NNPs in fifth place among the highest-paid nurse practitioner specialties ^[15]. The median annual salary for all registered nurses, the entry-level licence for neonatal nursing, was $97,550 according to BLS May 2025 data ^[16].

Core Skills and Tools

• Neonatal resuscitation: Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification and practical drill competency
• Thermoregulation management: incubator and radiant warmer operation, skin-to-skin care protocols
• Respiratory support: understanding of CPAP, high-flow nasal cannula, mechanical ventilation and surfactant therapy
• Nutritional support: nasogastric tube feeding, total parenteral nutrition monitoring and breastfeeding facilitation
• Neonatal assessment: Apgar scoring, gestational age assessment, neurological examination and pain scoring tools
• Infection prevention: hand hygiene protocols, central line care bundles and antibiotic stewardship awareness
• Family-centred care: communication with parents under stress, developmental care principles and discharge planning
• Documentation and audit: neonatal outcome data entry, mortality and morbidity review participation

The Neonatology and Newborn Care programme builds the knowledge foundation for administrators and coordinators who support neonatal teams, covering the principles and practices that shape safe, ethical and efficient newborn care in hospital settings. You can read the free first section of Neonatology and Newborn Care to assess the content before enrolling.

Workforce Landscape: Shortages, Demand and Geographic Gaps

All three fields share a common structural challenge: demand for skilled professionals consistently exceeds supply, particularly in lower-income countries and in rural or underserved areas of high-income countries. The HRSA's State of the Maternal Health Workforce Report, published in November 2024, documented the scale of the US workforce: more than 308,000 physicians and approximately 201,000 nurses with maternal or perinatal specialisations ^[10]. Yet despite this apparent scale, a projected shortage of nearly 9,900 OB/GYNs by 2037 has already left 5.5 million American women with limited or no access to maternity care, according to March of Dimes data cited in 2025 ^[11].

Burnout is a contributing factor. Increased administrative tasks have strained providers and caused many to leave the profession, according to reporting in The Hill in 2024 ^[11]. In South Korea, the collapse of the maternity workforce has reached crisis proportions: in 2025, Seoul National University Hospital announced a recruitment plan for 12 obstetrics and gynaecology fellows, yet not a single fellow applied ^[17]. Most certified OB/GYN professionals in South Korea chose to specialise in gynaecology rather than obstetrics, leaving the birth-care workforce critically depleted ^[17].

Globally, the picture is shaped by the concentration of maternal and neonatal deaths in low- and lower-middle-income countries. UNICEF data show that 94 per cent of all maternal deaths occur in low and lower-middle-income countries ^[7]. In 2023, Nigeria, India, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia and Pakistan recorded the highest numbers of maternal deaths worldwide ^[8]. Addressing these gaps requires not only more clinicians but also better-trained coordinators, educators and administrators who can build and sustain health systems in resource-limited settings.

Opinion The ACOG stated in a 2025 position statement that excellence in obstetric and gynaecologic healthcare is an essential element of the long-term physical, intellectual, social and economic wellbeing of any society, and that access to highly skilled ob-gyns must be preserved and supported ^[2]. This reflects a professional consensus that workforce investment in these fields is a societal priority, not merely a clinical one.

Education, Training and Career Entry Across All Three Fields

Entry routes into women's and newborn health vary considerably by role and country. For clinical roles, the pathway typically runs from undergraduate medical or nursing education through postgraduate specialty training and board certification or registration. For non-clinical roles, including health services coordination, patient navigation, clinical education and quality improvement, the entry requirements are more varied and often more accessible. A strong foundation in the relevant clinical field, combined with skills in communication, data management and healthcare administration, is the typical requirement.

Postgraduate OB/GYN training now adopts competency-based frameworks enhanced by simulation, virtual reality and tele-education, as documented in a 2025 review in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica ^[5]. Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs), such as performing a normal vaginal delivery or counselling a patient on prenatal screening, are being defined for medical students and used as benchmarks for graduation readiness ^[5]. For non-clinical professionals, online learning platforms and structured credentialing programmes offer a practical route to building the domain knowledge needed to work effectively alongside clinical teams.

The three vaayaa programmes on this platform address each field directly. The Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine programme builds the theoretical foundation and practical knowledge needed to support, coordinate and communicate effectively within gynaecological and reproductive health settings. The Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine programme covers how to coordinate, manage and support obstetric services that protect both mother and child. The Neonatology and Newborn Care programme covers the principles and practices that shape safe, ethical and efficient newborn care in hospital settings, with a focus on administrators and coordinators who support neonatal teams.

Frequently asked questions

Conclusion

Gynaecology, obstetrics and neonatal care are three fields that share a common purpose: protecting the health of women and newborns at the most critical moments of life. The global data make the stakes clear. In 2023, 240,000 women died from maternal causes and 2.3 million newborns died in their first month of life in 2024. Progress over three decades has been real, but it has slowed, and the workforce gaps that drive poor outcomes are present in both low-income and high-income settings. For anyone considering a career in these fields, the demand is genuine, the work is meaningful, and the range of roles available, from clinical practice to coordination, education and policy, means that professionals from many different backgrounds can contribute.

The practical path forward depends on your starting point. Those with clinical backgrounds can deepen their specialist knowledge and pursue advanced certification. Those coming from health administration, education or other sectors can build the domain knowledge needed for coordination and management roles through structured learning. The Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine programme, the Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine programme and the Neonatology and Newborn Care programme each provide that foundation for their respective field. The career pathway, the worked example and the checklist in this discourse are designed to help you map your own route, whatever your starting point.

This discourse describes education and careers in healthcare. It is general information, not medical advice.

References

1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Subspecialties of Ob-Gyn (2025).
2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The Importance of Preserving Highly Skilled Ob-Gyn Care (2025).
3. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Physicians and Surgeons: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025).
4. Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Career Center. OB/GYN in Labor and Delivery: Roles, Pay, and Day-to-Day (2026).
5. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica / Wiley Online Library. Medical education in obstetrics and gynecology: A global update from 2025 (2026).
6. The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Women's Health / ScienceDirect. Global, regional, and national levels and trends in maternal mortality, 1990-2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 (2026-03).
7. UNICEF Data. Maternal mortality: levels and statistics (2024).
8. Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). Global maternal deaths fell to 240,000 in 2023, but more than 100 countries still fall short of the global maternal mortality target (2026-03).
9. NurseJournal.org. OB/GYN Nurse Careers and Salary Outlook (2025-12).
10. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), National Center for Health Workforce Analysis. State of the Maternal Health Workforce Report 2024 (2024-11).
11. Barton Associates. OB/GYN Employment Opportunities in 2025: Market Trends and Essential FAQs (2025).
12. UNICEF Data. Neonatal mortality (2024).
13. World Health Organization. Newborn mortality fact sheet (2023).
14. NursePractitionerOnline.com. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner: Your Complete Career Guide (2025).
15. Nurse.org. 4 Steps to Becoming a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) (2025).
16. Nurse.org. Neonatal Nurse Salary Guide (2026).
17. PubMed Central / National Institutes of Health. The collapse of the maternity workforce in a low-birthrate, aging society: suggestions for training midwives and improving systems (2025).
18. South Lake OB/GYN. The OB/GYN Path: Education, Earnings, and Everything in Between (2026-02).