Obstetrics

Obstetrics (from the Latin obstare, "to stand by") is the surgical specialty dealing with the care of a woman and her offspring during pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (the period shortly after birth). Almost all modern obstetricians are also gynaecologists; see Obstetrics and gynaecology.

Labour

During labour itself, the obstetrician may be called on to do a number of things:

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• monitor the progress of labour, by reviewing the nursing chart, performing vaginal examination, and assessing the trace produced by a foetal monitoring device (the cardiotocograph)
• accelerate the progress of labour by infusion of the hormone oxytocin
• provide pain relief, either by nitrous oxide (nowadays uncommon, at least in the US), opiates, or by epidural anesthesia done by anaethestists or an anesthesiologist
• surgically assisting labour, by forceps or the Ventouse (a suction cap applied to the foetus' head)
• Caesarean section, if vaginal delivery is decided against or appears too difficult. Caesarean section can either be elective, that is, arranged before labour, or decided during labour as an alternative to hours of waiting. True "emergency" Cesarean sections (where minutes count) are a rarity.
• In the US, obstetric routine often includes a circumcision of the newborn. This procedure removes the foreskin of the male. In the US this procedure is considered medically unnecessary and is no longer recommended.