E.M Lectures(BSc.)

2.  From the Latin word Obstare,”to stand by”,is
the medical speciality dealing with the care of
all women’s reproductive tracts and their
children during pregnancy,childbirth and the
postnatal period

3.  Is a medical practice dealing with the health
of the female reproductive system.

4.  Gynaecology is the branch of medicine that dates
back to Greco-Roman civilization if not
earlier.The earliest birth attendants were women.
 In ancient mythology,godesses(but not gods)were
present at deliveries.
 In “primitive “ tribes studied by anthropologists
in the last century,the labouring women would be
accompanied by her mother or another female
relative.
 Prehistoric figures and ancient Egyptian drawings
show women giving birth in the sitting or
squatting position.
 Birthing stools and midwives are also mentioned
in the old testament.

5.  The history of obstetrics is inextricably linked
with the history of midwifery.
 Obstetrics was the latin word for midwife;it’s
thought to derive from obstare(“to stand
before”)because the attendant stood infront of
the woman to receive the baby.
 Only in the 20th century,did the subject taught in
medical schools change it name from
“midwifery” to “obstetrics”-Perhaps because a
latin name seemed more academic than the
Anglo-saxon derived from “mid”(with),and
“wyf”(woman).

6.  Antibiotics.
 The ability to safely transfuse blood products.
 The increasing safety of caeserian delivery
and improved anaesthesia techniques.
 The widespread use of uterotonics and safer
methods of induction of labour.
 The introduction of corticosteroids to
enhance fetal lung maturity.

7.  The practice of surveillance for and early
intervention(i.e delivery)in cases like pre-
eclampsia and hypertension.
 Advances in adult and neonatal intensive
care.
 Introduction of ultrasonography and other
advanced antenatal monitoring techniques.
 The widespread use of anti-D
immunoglobulin to prevent Rh-
alloimmunization.