obstetrischen

Obstetrics is the medical specialty that focuses on pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. The term derives from Latin obstetrix meaning midwife; in German, the corresponding adjective is obstetrisch, with declined forms such as obstetrischen used in phrases like obstetrische Versorgung. The field encompasses care before, during, and after birth to optimize the health of both mother and baby.

Practices include preconception and prenatal care, fetal assessment, ultrasound, screening for congenital anomalies and maternal conditions, and the management of pregnancy-related complications such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Obstetric care also covers planning and supporting labor and delivery, analgesia and anesthesia, options for delivery (including vaginal birth and cesarean section), as well as postpartum care and newborn support.

Obstetric care is delivered by obstetricians, midwives, and multidisciplinary teams, often within hospitals or maternity clinics. Training typically involves medical school, residency in obstetrics and gynecology, and board certification, with ongoing professional development. Guidelines from international and national bodies guide practice, and collaboration with neonatology, anesthesia, and other specialties is common to manage high-risk pregnancies and emergencies.

Historically, obstetrics evolved from midwifery into a medical specialty with advances in sterile technique, anesthesia, fetal monitoring, and transfusion medicine, contributing to substantial reductions in maternal and neonatal mortality. Today, the field emphasizes patient-centered care, informed consent, and equitable access, while addressing global disparities in skilled birth attendance.