Obstetric
/ɒbˈstɛ.trɪk/noun
Relating to childbirth and the care of women during pregnancy and after delivery.
Did you know?The word originates from the Latin 'obstetrix', meaning 'midwife', which literally translates to 'one who stands before', referring to her position assisting during labor.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁ost-
“to stand”
Latin
Latin
obstetrix
“midwife, one who stands before (the mother)”
Old French
Old French
obstétrique
“pertaining to midwifery”
Early Modern English
English
obstetric
“pertaining to childbirth and midwifery”
Modern English
English
obstetric
“relating to the care of women during pregnancy and childbirth”
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