Obstetricians

An obstetrician is a physician who specializes in obstetrics, the medical area dealing with pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the early postpartum period. Obstetricians are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) who complete medical school and a residency in obstetrics and gynecology. Many pursue board certification through organizations such as the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology or their national equivalents.

Their responsibilities include providing prenatal care to monitor maternal and fetal health, diagnosing and managing pregnancy-related conditions (for example preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, infections), and planning and conducting labor and delivery. They perform vaginal births, cesarean sections, and other operative deliveries, and coordinate anesthesia, neonatal care, and postpartum follow-up.

In many healthcare systems, obstetricians practice as obstetricians-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) and also offer gynecologic services such as contraception, menstrual disorder management, and minor surgeries. For high-risk pregnancies, they may work with maternal-fetal medicine specialists and other subspecialists to optimize outcomes.

Work settings include hospitals, maternity clinics, and private practices. They collaborate with nurses, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, midwives, and social workers. Training emphasizes patient safety, evidence-based guidelines, informed consent, and ethical considerations in pregnancy and childbirth.