WordGarden.ioobstetrician
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɒbstɪtrˈɪʃən/
US
- /ˌɑbstəˈtrɪʃən/
Meanings
Noun
a doctor who specializes in pregnancy and childbirth
Beyond the definition
Imagine a tiny human getting ready to enter the world. That's where this kind of doctor comes in. An obstetrician is a medical doctor trained to care for people during pregnancy, labor, and birth, and also for a time after the baby is born. They focus on keeping both the pregnant person and the baby healthy. You might also hear the term "OB/GYN," which often refers to a doctor who does both pregnancy care and general reproductive health care. Think of them as a steady guide through one of life's biggest moments.
An obstetrician is a doctor specializing in pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, the time after delivery. The word itself comes from the Latin obstetricius, meaning "standing before," a reference to the traditional position of a birth attendant helping with delivery. While midwives still play an important role, modern obstetrics also involves complex medical care.
Obstetricians provide care throughout pregnancy, including prenatal checkups, monitoring fetal development, managing complications like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, and delivering babies by vaginal birth or Cesarean section. They may also help with medical issues connected to pregnancy before, during, and after birth.
The word is used mainly in medical or healthcare contexts, but it can also be used in everyday conversation when talking about someone's job or medical care. You might say, "My neighbor is an obstetrician," "Sarah is seeing an obstetrician for her prenatal care," or "The obstetrician delivered the twins." They often work closely with nurses, midwives, and other healthcare professionals to provide a safe and supportive environment for pregnant patients.
While some doctors can handle basic pregnancy care, more complex cases often need the specialized training of an obstetrician. So, if someone is pregnant or planning a pregnancy, finding a skilled and compassionate obstetrician can be an important step.
Examples
- 1
Prenatal appointment
She has an appointment with her obstetrician next Tuesday.
- 2
Medical referral
The family doctor referred her to an obstetrician after her blood pressure rose.
- 3
High-risk pregnancy
In a high-risk pregnancy, the obstetrician may work closely with midwives and nurses.
See also
Similar
- OB
- maternity doctor
- obstetric doctor
Shades of meaning
- OB-GYN
- perinatologist
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- see an obstetrician
- consult an obstetrician
- obstetrician appointment
Word family
Explore
- prenatal care
- labor and delivery
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- obstetriciannoun
Forms
- obstetricianspluralnoun