The branch of medicine concerned with pregnancy, childbirth, and the care of the pregnant woman and fetus during pregnancy and around birth.
Obstetric care includes monitoring pregnancy, identifying and managing complications, supporting labor and delivery, and providing care after childbirth. It also includes management of high-risk pregnancies and conditions that can affect pregnancy or childbirth.
Obstetrics is closely related to gynecology, which focuses primarily on the female reproductive system outside pregnancy and childbirth.
QUICK FACT
Obstetrics focuses specifically on pregnancy and childbirth and their related care, rather than all aspects of reproductive health.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
Gynecology: the medical specialty concerned primarily with the female reproductive system and its disorders.
SEE ALSO
