Obstetrics: Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Obstetrics is the branch of medicine which specializes in the care of women during gestation and childbirth. The field encompasses both prenatal and postnatal care of the mother and the infant. Fetal screening helps to assess the viability of the fetus and investigate the presence of any congenital abnormalities. Other methods such as nonstress test, fetal karyotype, fetal haematocrit and oxytocin challenge test are used for fetal assessment. In case of fetal distress, placental malfunction, pre-eclampsis and intrauterine growth retardation, labor may be medically induced. Ectopic pregnancy, placental abruption, shoulder dystocia, obstetrical haemorrhage and puerperal sepsis are certain obstetrical emergencies which require immediate medical attention. Postnatal care is provided to the mother following parturition. The infant’s health is also monitored and the mother is advised regarding babycare. This book aims to shed light on some of the unexplored aspects of obstetrics and the recent researches in this field. The various studies that are constantly contributing towards advancing investigative and interventional technologies and evolution of this field are examined in detail. For someone with an interest and eye for detail, this book covers the most significant topics in maternal-fetal medicine.