obstetrics / birth assistance
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obstetrics
The medical specialty concerned with monitoring pregnancies, carrying out births, and caring for mother and child afterward.
Er ist Facharzt für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe.
He is a specialist in gynecology and obstetrics.
birth assistance
The concrete practical support and medical care during a birth provided by a midwife or a doctor.
Die Hebamme leistete bei der komplizierten Entbindung wertvolle Geburtshilfe.
The midwife provided valuable birth assistance during the complicated delivery.
The word is clearly composed of 'die Geburt' (birth) and 'die Hilfe' (help). The 's' in between is a linking s that connects the two words. So it literally means 'help during birth'.
Ohne die schnelle Geburtshilfe der Ärztin wäre es gefährlich geworden.
Without the doctor's quick birth assistance, it would have become dangerous.
You can distinguish two main uses: as the name of a medical specialty (often as part of a department) and as a description of the concrete act of helping during a birth.
Sie arbeitet in der Abteilung für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe.
She works in the department of gynecology and obstetrics.
As a medical specialty, 'Geburtshilfe' (obstetrics) is very often mentioned together with 'Gynäkologie' (gynecology). The combination 'Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe' (gynecology and obstetrics) is a fixed term for the specialty.
Die Klinik hat eine renommierte Abteilung für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe.
The clinic has a renowned department of gynecology and obstetrics.
When concrete help during a birth is meant, the verb 'leisten' (to provide/render) is used very often. The fixed expression is 'Geburtshilfe leisten' (to provide birth assistance).
Auch der werdende Vater kann eine wichtige emotionale Geburtshilfe leisten.
The expectant father can also provide important emotional birth assistance.
