![[Obstetrician.jpeg]] An obstetrician is a doctor who specialises in pregnancy, childbirth, and the care of mothers and babies before, during, and after delivery. - Obstetricians are experts in managing everything from routine pregnancies to complicated cases like multiple births or high-risk conditions. - They work closely with [[midwives]], but unlike midwives, they’re fully trained medical doctors who can perform surgeries, such as [[Caesarean sections]]. - The word comes from the Latin *obstetrix*, meaning "midwife" or "one who stands before" – referring to how they assist during childbirth. - In the 18th century, obstetricians used [[forceps]] to aid delivery, and some families guarded their forceps designs as trade secrets. - Modern obstetricians also handle prenatal care, ultrasounds, and postnatal recovery, ensuring the health of both mother and baby.