Obstétrico

Obstétrico is the adjective related to obstetrics, the medical specialty that focuses on pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. In many contexts, the term also informs the profession of obstetrics, where a physician who practices in this field is called an obstetrician. In many countries, obstetrics is practiced together with gynecology under the umbrella of obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN), reflecting the intertwined care of reproductive health and pregnancy.

Obstetricians provide prenatal care to monitor the health of the pregnant person and the developing fetus, assess risk factors, and plan a safe delivery. They coordinate with midwives, nurses, and pediatricians to manage labor, delivery, and immediate postpartum care, and to address complications that may arise during pregnancy or birth. A key goal is to optimize maternal and fetal outcomes while respecting patient preferences and values.

Training and practice typically involve medical education followed by specialization in obstetrics, with additional sub-specialization available in areas such as maternal-fetal medicine for high-risk pregnancies, perinatology, or reproductive endocrinology. Procedures commonly associated with obstetrics include prenatal screening and ultrasound, management of labor and delivery, induction of labor, cesarean section, and, when appropriate, assisted vaginal delivery.

Ethical considerations, evidence-based guidelines, and patient-centered communication are integral to obstetric care. The field continually evolves with advances in prenatal imaging, fetal monitoring, genetics, and safer delivery techniques, aiming to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.