obstetrical

Obstetrical is an adjective relating to obstetrics, the branch of medicine that focuses on pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. It covers the health of the pregnant person and the developing fetus, including screening, monitoring, and the management of pregnancy-related conditions.

The scope of obstetrical care includes prenatal care, birth, and the postpartum period. Prenatal care involves risk assessment, routine monitoring, screening tests, and guidance on nutrition, activity, and life events. Labor and delivery care encompasses assessment of fetal well-being, management of labor, and decisions regarding timing and mode of delivery. Postpartum care addresses recovery, bleeding, contraception, mental health, and breastfeeding support.

Common obstetrical concerns include hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes, infection, bleeding, fetal growth restriction, and preterm birth. Management often involves surveillance, treatment of maternal conditions, and planning for safe delivery. Procedures may include induction or augmentation of labor, cesarean delivery, instrumental vaginal delivery, amniotomy, and, in some cases, external cephalic version or episiotomy. Neonatal resuscitation and immediate newborn care are also within scope when needed.

Obstetrical care is provided by obstetricians, midwives, and other trained health professionals, sometimes within a team that includes maternal-fetal medicine specialists for high-risk pregnancies. The term emphasizes the medical and supportive aspects of childbirth and the care continuum from pregnancy through the postpartum period. The word obstetrical appears in various medical contexts to describe things related to obstetrics.