| Obstetrics is the medical specialty
concerned with the care of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and during
the 4-8 weeks after the birth (during which time the reproductive organs
are recovering from pregnancy and returning to their usual states).
Compare
obstetrics with
Gynaecology, Embryology and Paediatrics.
Note the difference between medical doctors, nurses, and midwives:
A
medical doctor who has specialised in obstetrics is an obstetrician.
A nurse who has specialised in the care of pregnant women, including
management of normal deliveries is a midwife. In the cases of most normal
pregnancies, a midwife is the main provider of care. However, in more
complicated cases, a range of specialist skills may be required and
so professionals
specialising in other areas of medical care may also be involved.
Associated Terms:
* _ A medical specialist
in the field of obstetrics is called a obstetrician.
* _ The adjective used
to refer to obstetrics is
"obstetrical".
Links to other relevant areas on this website include:
* _ Glossary Section for
General
Medical Terms.
This part of the IvyRose Holistic Resources Glossary is included as a
study-aid for students following first-level courses in human biology,
medicine, nursing, natural or holistic therapies, and associated theoretical
courses - who are required recognise and understand medical terms such
as those of the disciplines within medicine. |
