A professional who provides medical care and treatment to obstetrical patients under supervision of obstetrician, delivers babies, and instructs patients in prenatal and postnatal health practices. Responsibilities include:

• Participates in initial examination of obstetrical patient, and is assigned responsibility for care, treatment, and delivery of patient.
• Examines patient during pregnancy, utilizing physical findings, laboratory test results, and patient's statements to evaluate condition and ensure that patient's progress is normal.
• Discusses case with obstetrician to assure observation of specified practices.
• Instructs patient in diet and prenatal health practices.
• Stays with patient during labor to reassure patient and to administer medication.
• Delivers infant and performs postpartum examinations and treatments to ensure that patient and infant are responding normally.
• When deviations from standard are encountered during pregnancy or delivery, administers stipulated emergency measures, and arranges for immediate contact of obstetrician.
• Visits patient during postpartum period in hospital and at home to instruct patient in care of self and infant and examine patient.
• Maintains records of cases for inclusion in establishment file.
• Conducts classes for groups of patients and families to provide information concerning pregnancy, childbirth, and family orientation.
• May direct activities of other workers.
• May instruct in midwifery in establishment providing such training.