The work or profession of a midwife; the branch of medicine that deals with this, obstetrics.

The action of a midwife or accoucheur; midwifery; the act of delivering a baby or assisting at a birth. Also figurative.

The practice or occupation of a man-midwife. Also figurative.

Originally: the theory or practice of midwifery. Later: the branch of medicine dealing with the care of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the…

the science of parturition, or of midwifery; obstetrics.

= obstetrics, n.