Introduction to Maternity Nursing

Terminology
- Obstetrics:
The word “Obstetrics” is derived from the Latin verb, obstare which means “to stand in front”, and by implication to protect.
The branch of medicine that deals with the phenomena & management of pregnancy, labor, and the puerperium under normal & abnormal circumstances.
Gynecology:
The word “Gyneco” is a Latin ward, which means “Female”. It means the study of the female reproductive organs disorders
It is the branch of medicine which deals with diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pathology of the female reproductive system.
Gynecologic Nursing:
It is the branch of nursing concerned with the provision of nursing care to women who have reproductive tract diseases.
Maternity Nursing
The full scope of nursing that deals with families during childbearing period.
It is that branch of nursing concerned with the provision of physical, mental, and social nursing care to women during the maternity cycle( pregnancy, labor, and the puerperium).
The Scope of Practice in Maternity Nursing include:
- Pre-conceptual health care.
- Care of the women during three trimesters of pregnancy and the puerperium ( the 6 weeks after childbirth).
- Care of the baby during pregnancy until the end of the puerperium period
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