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What’s the difference between an MD and a DO(as far as OB care goes)?

I’ve been asking around for referrals to new OB’s in my area. A male doctor and a female doctor were both recommended highly. One is an MD and the other is a DO.

What’s the difference as far as OB care goes? Thanks!

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7 Responses to “What’s the difference between an MD and a DO(as far as OB care goes)?”

  1. Cindy C said :

    MD is just a medical doctor they are not specialized. DO is doctor of obstetrics. They are specialized.

    I have a friend who has DO. She is and OB surgeon and has been practicing medicine for 28 yrs and Obstetrics for 15 of that.

  2. Kat said :

    I had to look up DO. I’d never heard of it before but it sounds like a DO treats the whole person rather than just the isolated disease. I would assume that an OB that is a DO would take a more involved look at your health and lifestyle when giving you prenatal care. DO’s practice OMM which “takes into account the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health of a patient, and how each aspect could be contributing to the disease state.” (according to Wikipedia)

  3. daa said :

    A DO is an osteopathic physician, not a doctor of obstetrics. These days, there’s really not much difference between an MD and a DO. Meet both and go with the one you like best.

  4. jlb said :

    A DO is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Basically the difference btw that and an MD is the philosophy they use to treat patients. DOs look at the body as a whole and treat the whole person where as an MD looks at one piece at time, treating each individually.

    My 1st OBGYN was an MD, the one I have now is an DO. I have noticed my current doctor is less concerned about “managing” me and the pregnancy then the last one.

  5. randomness said :

    cindy is wrong DO does not mean “doctor of obstetrics”! Everyone else is right in saying that it is their approach on the disease, however like the person above me said there really isn’t mich of a difference anymore. My personal experience seeing a practice of MDs and one DO is the DO was less likely to write me an RX than the MDs, which I preferred considering I was pregnant.

  6. Dragonfly girl ~ Haley's mom said :

    As the first answerer stated, it does not mean doctor of Obstetrics. My primary is a DO, it was explained to me once, that DO’s practice osteopathic medicine, they treat the source rather than give you a bunch of medications. But I’ve honestly never noticed a difference between mine and other doctors. She does send me for tests for various things when I tell her I have a problem with something and she’s never been shy with the samples…which I love.

    Here is a link that might help explain it further:

    http://www.mommd.com/whatisdo.shtml

  7. Hayden's Mommy, Chase due Nov! said :

    An MD and DO are basically the same thing – both are doctors who are able to practice. MD just means Medical Doctor and DO means Doctor of Osteopathy. The doctor receives these two letter simply from which medical school they graduate from. Most in the United States are MD schools, but DO schools are becoming more and more abundant. Both are challenging to get into, so don’t think that just because one doctor is an MD that s/he is smarter than a DO. MD and DO schools are just different in a few ways. Mainly, MD schools are very book-oriented and less personable-oriented. DO schools are more personable-oriented and less book-oriented. Regardless of methods of teaching, both MDs and DOs have to pass the exam to become a doctor. It’s just the method that some students prefer over others. And, DOs TEND to be more understanding and easier to talk to then MDs (DOs TEND to have better bedside manner).

    Also, MD schools seem to have a lot of affirmative action issues. Most students you will notice are from minorities. Again, this is most – not all. DO schools tend to focus less on affirmative action, so a lot more caucasian students go there.

    Regardless if your doc is an MD or DO, you’re going to have to find one that is an OB-GYN. Any practicing OB-GYN will be either an MD or DO. Many times, you’ll not even know if your OB-GYN is an MD or DO since after his/her name it’ll just say OB-GYN. Then you just know they graduated from medical school (whether MD or DO school) with a degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Some will even say FACOOG after, which is an extension of OB-GYN essentially (it means they’re a Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists). It requires more training, experience, studying, and well, it’s a lot of work to become a fellow. It is my understanding that only DO doctors can be a part of it, but then again, I’m not 100% sure about that. I’m sure there is something like that for MDs too, if they’re not able to be part of this specific one.

    I go to a practice with four DOs who are OB-GYNs and FACOOGs. I would recommend this practice to each and every single person. All four doctors have been wonderful and throughout your pregnancy, you meet and work with each of the four. One of them will FOR SURE deliver your baby. It’s great knowing that it won’t be a random doctor.




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