What is the primary role of an obstetrician during delivery?

The primary role of an obstetrician during delivery is to manage labor and delivery, ensuring the health of both the mother and the fetus. This encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including monitoring the progress of labor, assessing the wellbeing of the fetus, and addressing any complications that may arise during the delivery process.

An obstetrician is trained to provide comprehensive care throughout labor and delivery. They are responsible for making critical decisions about interventions that may be necessary, such as performing a cesarean section if complications occur. Their expertise allows them to respond effectively to changes in the mother's or baby's condition, aiming to achieve the best possible outcomes for both.

While administering anesthesia may be a part of care during delivery, it is typically performed by an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist, not the obstetrician themselves. The obstetrician's focus is on obstetric care rather than surgical procedures outside the realm of childbirth. Monitoring fetal heart rates is indeed a vital part of care, but it is just one aspect of the overall management of labor and does not encapsulate the full role of the obstetrician in this context.