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Every OB-GYN who handles high-risk pregnancies needs a strong mix of clinical, diagnostic, emergency, and teamwork skills. These are essential to keep both mom and baby safe throughout pregnancy, labor, and delivery. In case you’re wondering what are those skills, this guide will give you an idea.

Core Clinical Skills

• One of the key skills required for OB-GYN is strong patient assessment skills of taking a detailed history, doing a thorough physical exam, and spotting risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, thyroid issues, or heart disease.
• They should have confidence in managing pre-existing or pregnancy-related conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, and endocrine disorders.
• Ability to build personalized, evidence-based care plans and adjust them quickly as the mother’s or baby’s condition changes.

Diagnostic and Monitoring Skills

• Every OB-GYN must deal with key tests like ultrasounds, Dopplers, fetal heart rate monitoring, and necessary lab work to track maternal and fetal health.
• The ability to talk about screening options, genetic risks, and the early identification of congenital or chromosomal issues.
• Knowledge of cutting-edge prenatal techniques such as amniocentesis, CVS, and additional tests for foetal diagnosis.

Emergency and Procedural Skills

• Quick decision-making during emergencies like heavy bleeding, preeclampsia/eclampsia, preterm labor, infections, or placental problems.
• Surgical expertise, especially in performing C-sections, managing ectopic pregnancies, and handling other high-risk operative situations.
• Ability to stabilize critical patients, monitor them closely, and refer them to higher-level care when needed.

Teamwork and Communication

• To handle complex cases, regular coordination with endocrinologists, neonatologists, anaesthesiologists, and other specialists is required.
• Confidence in leading a multidisciplinary team, joining case discussions, and keeping both the patient and her family informed.
• Strong counselling and communication skills to help patients understand their options, risks, and care plans.

Additional Skills

• Knowledge of important legal guidelines and documentation requirements, including the MTP Act and PC-PNDT Act.
• Commitment to ongoing learning through courses, fellowships, and continuous training in maternal-fetal medicine or perinatology.
• StudyHRO offers a specialised High-Risk Obstetrics course that helps OB-GYNs handle challenging pregnancy cases with confidence, improve patient outcomes, and save lives. Join us to build the skills you need and make a real difference for your patients.

To learn more about our programs, feel free to reach out to our team today.

Authored By: Varun Mohandas