Obstetrician

Obstetrician

Noun · /ˌɒbstɪˈtrɪʃ(ə)n/ · a doctor specialising in pregnancy and childbirth

Definition

A physician who specialises in obstetrics — the branch of medicine concerned with pregnancy, labour, childbirth, and the postpartum period. An obstetrician manages both routine and high-risk pregnancies.

Origin

From Latin obstetrix (midwife), from obstare — to stand before or in front of. The root captures the midwife's original role: standing before the mother to receive the newborn child.