8.1 – Introduction to Obstetrics
Learning Objectives
- Identify the common processes in obstetrics and explore procedures, diagnostics tests and common complications related to obstetrics
- Describe the specialty of obstetrics and other medical specialties associated with obstetrics
- Analyze, translate, and define medical terms and common abbreviations of obstetrics
- Practice the spelling and pronunciation of obstetric terminology
Obstetric Word Parts
Review the list of word parts to memorize for obstetrics:
Prefix
- ante– (before)
- dys– (painful, laboured, difficult)
- micro– (small)
- multi– (many)
- neo– (new)
- nulli– (none)
- post– (after)
- pre– (before)
Combining Form
- amni/o (amnion, amniotic fluid)
- cephal/o (head)
- chori/o (chorion)
- embry/o (embryo)
- esophag/o (esophagus)
- fet/i (fetus, unborn offspring)
- fet/o (fetus, unborn offspring)
- gravid/o (pregnancy)
- lact/o (milk)
- nat/o (birth)
- omphal/o (umbilicus, navel)
- par/o (to bear, labour, childbirth, give birth to)
- part/o (to bear, labour, childbirth, give birth to)
- prim/i (first)
- pseud/o (false)
- puerper/o (childbirth)
- pylor/o (pylorus, pyloric sphincter)
- terat/o (malformations)
Suffix
- –a (no meaning, noun ending)
- –al (pertaining to)
- –amnios (amnion, amniotic fluid)
- –cyesis (pregnancy)
- –e (noun ending, no meaning)
- –gen (substance that produced, agent that produced)
- –genic (producing, originating, causing)
- –graphy (process of recording)
- –ic (pertaining to)
- –is (noun suffix, no meaning)
- –itis (inflammation)
- –logist (specialist who studies and treats, physician who studies and treats)
- –logy (study of)
- –oid (resembling)
- –oma (tumour)
- –rrhea (discharge, flow)
- –rrhexis (rupture)
- –stenosis (constriction, narrowing)
- –tocia (birth, labour)
- –tomy (incision, cut into)
- –um (noun ending, no meaning)
- –us (noun ending, no meaning)
Activity source: Obstetrics Word Parts by Kimberlee Carter, from Building a Medical Terminology Foundation, licensed under CC BY- 4.0. / Text version added.
Introduction to Obstetrics
Obstetrics is a specialty that is concerned with the mother and fetus during pregnancy, childbirth, and the immediate postpartum period. Obstetricians study obstetrics and gynecology and are referred to as OB/GYN (Obstetrics and Gynecology).
Media 8.1: CrashCourse. (2015, November 23). Reproductive system, part 4 – Pregnancy & development: Crash Course anatomy & physiology #43 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/BtsSbZ85yiQ
Obstetrics Medical Terms
Obstetrics Medical Terms (Text version)
Practice the following words related to obstetrics by breaking into word parts and pronouncing. Audio recordings of word pronunciations are available through the online book.
- amnionitis
- amnion/itis
- *rebel does not follow the rules
- inflammation of the amnion
- oligohydramnios
- olig/o/hydr/amnios
- scanty amnion water
- a condition where there is minimal amniotic fluid within the placental sac. This can restrict the fetus from movem