Obstetrie

Obstetrie, or obstetrics, is the branch of medicine that focuses on pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. The term originates from Latin obstetrix meaning midwife. The field aims to ensure the health and safety of both mother and fetus through all stages of gestation and delivery.

The scope of obstetrie includes prenatal care, labor and delivery management, and postpartum follow-up. Prenatal care encompasses risk assessment, maternal and fetal surveillance, nutrition and lifestyle guidance, screening tests, and counseling. In the intrapartum period, obstetric care involves monitoring labor progress, pain management, and interventions when needed, such as induction of labor, augmentation, cesarean section, or instrumental delivery. Postpartum care addresses physical recovery, lactation support, mental health, family planning, and coordination of ongoing pediatric care.

Training and professional roles in obstetrie vary by country. Obstetricians are physicians specializing in obstetrics and gynecology and perform surgical procedures when necessary. Midwives and birth attendants provide low-risk pregnancy care and support during childbirth. Nurses, anesthesiologists, and neonatologists often collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, especially for high-risk pregnancies and complex deliveries. Subspecialties such as maternal-fetal medicine focus on high-risk cases, fetal therapy, and complex prenatal diagnostics.

History and development of obstetrie reflect advances in antisepsis, anesthesia, imaging, and fetal monitoring. Milestones include reductions in puerperal fever, the introduction of obstetric anesthesia, and routine use of ultrasound and electronic fetal monitoring. Globally, obstetric care continues to evolve with emphasis on evidence-based guidelines, access to skilled birth attendants, and improving maternal and perinatal outcomes while addressing ethical and public health considerations.