Introduction to Obstetrics

Obstetrics (ŏb-STE-triks) (OB) is a medical specialty concerning care of the mother and fetus during pregnancy, childbirth, and immediately after childbirth. This chapter will review common word components related to fertilization, pregnancy, and childbirth to assist learning how to analyze, build, and define medical terms. Other terms whose definitions cannot be easily built from word components will be described in context. Medical specialists, diagnostic tests, and procedures related to fertilization, pregnancy, and childbirth will also be discussed. Additional information about the female reproductive system is discussed in the “Female Reproductive System Terminology” chapter.