Obstetrics focuses on pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Midwives play an important role in caring for women before, during, and after pregnancy. The World Health Organization defines a midwife as someone who has completed midwifery education and training recognized by their country and is licensed to practice midwifery. Key skills of midwives include promoting health, managing care, independent action, initiating actions of others, undertaking prescribed care, communication, team leadership, following laws and ethics, assigning duties, and maintaining professional competence.

1. INTRODUCTION

2. Obstetrics is the field of study concentrated on
pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.
The branch of physiology and medicine which deals
with the functions and diseases specific to women and
girls, especially those affecting the reproductive
system.

3.  Midwife plays an important role in the care of
a women before , during and after the period of
pregnancy.

4.  The international confed-eration of midwives
developed a definition of the term ‘’Midwife’’
in 1972
 The International federation of gynaecology
and obstetrics and World health organisation
(WHO) adopted it in 1973.
 It was later amended & ratified by WHO in
1992.

5.  In 1992, WHO, defined that a midwife is a
person, who has been regularly admitted to a
midwifery educational program, duly-
recognized in the country in which it is located
has successfully completed the prescribed
courses or studies in midwifery & has acquired
the requisite qualification to be registered & or
legally licensed to practice midwifery.

6.  Skills of midwife
 Promotion of health
 Managing care ability
 Independent action ability

7.  Initiating the action of others
 Undertaking care prescribed by doctor
 Communication skills
 Team sprit in a team leader
 Keeping the law

8.  Ethical issue like nurses & health visitors
 Assignment of duties to others
 Realizing the responsibilities of mid wife
 Competence-has the responsible to
maintain professional competence
 Responsibility to keep records
 Responsibility to Society

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