Objective
To explore the impact of attending a clinical placement in considering a career in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Design
Mixed methods study.

Setting
London Medical School.

Population
Fifth year medical students attending a clinical placement in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Methods
Between January 2021 and January 2022, questionnaires were used and semi-structured focus groups conducted, which were audio-recorded. Descriptive statistics were conducted and a framework analysis on transcribed focus groups.

Main outcome measure
The impact of the clinical placement on career choice.

Results
Six main themes were identified from the analysis; three contributing to considering a career in obstetrics and gynaecology; pregnancy is not an illness, extraordinary experience of observing childbirth and variable specialty and three themes emerged contributing to not considering a career; lack of work–life balance, high stakes specialty and the emotional toll. Even at an undergraduate level, medical students exhibited concerns about the long-term feasibility of achieving work–life balance and avoiding professional burnout, which was partly attributed to the responsibility of looking after both the woman and their baby.

Conclusions
Obstetrics and gynaecology is perceived as an exciting and variable speciality by medical students. Students’ experiences on the labour ward during a clinical placement appear to contribute to the consideration of a career in obstetrics and gynaecology. Students should be given opportunities to discuss their concerns about obstetrics, particularly over the potential psychological impact of adverse/traumatic birth events. It is crucial to provide a realistic introduction to obstetrics, to recruit enthusiastic junior doctors who will be resilient to the pressures of the speciality, to avoid burnout and minimise attrition rates.