Obstétricales

Obstétricales, or obstetrics, is the medical specialty that focuses on pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. It covers the care of the pregnant person and the developing fetus, as well as related medical and surgical conditions that arise during pregnancy or delivery.

Key components include prenatal care, labor and delivery management, and postnatal care. Prenatal care involves risk assessment, screening, and the monitoring of fetal growth and maternal health. During labor, obstetricians and midwives monitor labor progression, fetal well-being, and manage pain and complications. Postpartum care focuses on recovery, breastfeeding support, and detection of late-emerging conditions.

Practitioners include obstetricians, midwives, nurses, and other clinicians within multidisciplinary teams. Subspecialties such as maternal-fetal medicine and obstetric anesthesia address high-risk pregnancies and complex procedures. Practices are guided by evidence-based guidelines to improve outcomes for mother and baby.

Common interventions include induction of labor, cesarean delivery, vacuum or forceps-assisted delivery, and management of obstetric emergencies such as hemorrhage and preeclampsia. They also address diabetes in pregnancy, hypertensive disorders, placental abnormalities, and fetal distress.

Global health aspects emphasize reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality through access to skilled birth attendants, prenatal screening, emergency obstetric care, and family planning.