Pronunciation: [ɒbstˈɛtɹɪk] (IPA) 
The word "obstetric" is spelled with an "ob" followed by "stetric". The "ob" prefix comes from the Latin "ob-" meaning "toward" or "in front of". The root "stetric" comes from "obstetrix", which means "midwife" in Latin. In IPA phonetics, "obstetric" can be transcribed as /ɒbˈstɛtrɪk/ with stress on the second syllable. The pronunciation of this word can vary depending on regional accents, but the spelling remains constant.
Obstetric, an adjective derived from the Latin word "obstetricus", refers to the medical specialty or branch of medicine concerned with the care and management of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. It encompasses the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of complications associated with pregnancy, as well as the overall well-being of the pregnant woman and her fetus.
In obstetric practice, healthcare professionals, known as obstetricians or obstetrician-gynecologists, closely monitor the progress of pregnancy, provide prenatal care, and guide expectant mothers through labor and delivery. They are trained to handle both normal and high-risk pregnancies, ensuring the health and safety of both the mother and the baby.
Key aspects of obstetric care involve conducting routine check-ups, performing ultrasounds and other diagnostic tests to assess fetal development and the health of the mother, monitoring vital signs, and managing potential complications that may arise during the antenatal, labor, and postpartum periods. Obstetricians are also equipped to handle the management of labor pain, the use of interventions such as medical induction or surgical delivery (cesarean section), and the provision of obstetric anesthesia.
Obstetrics is a dynamic and evolving field, constantly integrating new research and medical advances to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. Obstetricians work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, including midwives, nurses, anesthetists, and pediatricians, to provide comprehensive care to pregnant women, empowering them to have safe and positive birth experiences.
Pert. to midwifery.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word obstetric is derived from the Latin word obstetricius, which itself comes from the Latin verb obstare, meaning to stand in front of or to assist. In Latin, obstetricius refers to a midwife or someone who assists in childbirth. The term was then adopted into Middle English as obstetrik, and later transformed into its current form, obstetric.
