obstetric

[ uhb-ste-trik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the care and treatment of women in childbirth and during the period before and after delivery.
2. of or relating to childbirth or obstetrics. : OB, ob

obstetric

/ ɒbˈstɛtrɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to childbirth or obstetrics

Derived Forms

• obˈstetrically, adverb

Other Words From

• ob·stet·ri·cal·ly adverb
• non·ob·stet·ric adjective
• non·ob·stet·ri·cal adjective
• non·ob·stet·ri·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of obstetric¹

First recorded in 1735–45; from New Latin obstetrīcus “pertaining to a midwife,” alteration of Latin obstetrīcius, derivative of obstetrīx, equivalent to ob- ob- + ste- (combining form of stāre to stand ) + -trīx -trix

Word History and Origins

Origin of obstetric¹

C18: via New Latin from Latin obstetrīcius, from obstetrix a midwife, literally: woman who stands opposite, from obstāre to stand in front of; see obstacle

Example Sentences

In a room at the obstetric emergency department, a nurse wrapped a sensor belt around Crain’s belly to check the fetal heart rate.

From Salon

“If this was Massachusetts or Ohio, she would have had that delivery within a couple hours,” said Dr. Susan Mann, a national patient safety expert in obstetric care who teaches at Harvard University.

From Salon

Those include two major medical facilities and also hospitals that offer such specialized medical care as obstetrics, paediatrics and oncology.

From Salon

When I was a medical student exactly 60 years ago, on my first rotation on obstetrics in 1963 as a third-year medical student, I saw a lot of things happening that were quite frightening.

From Salon

Closing obstetric departments is a nationwide trend, contributing to America’s high maternal mortality rate.

From Los Angeles Times