different between gynaecologist vs midwife

English

Alternative forms

• gynecologist (US), (Canada (common))

Noun

gynaecologist (plural gynaecologists)

1. (British spelling, Canadian spelling, dated in US) A physician who specialises in diseases of the female reproductive system.
   • 1950, Moya Woodside, Sterilization in North Carolina: A Sociological and Psychological Study, University of North Carolina Press, page 56,

     In the last analysis, the fate of each individual woman rests in the hands of the gynaecologist.

   • 1972, The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Volume 12, page 194,

     During the past 5 years considerable interest has been shown by gynaecologists in the technique of laparoscopy (Steptoe, 1967; Cohen, 1970).

   • 1995 October 31, Kenya National Assembly Official Record (Hansard), page 2287,

     Mr Shikuku: […] Was there any gynaecologist among those doctors?

     Mr. Angatia: Mr. Speaker, Sir, there was a gynaecologist and also a midwife.

   • 2009, India Today, Volume 34, Issues 36-43, page 592,

     With one of the highest birth rates across the world (22.69 births per thousand), one can be sure that no gynaecologist will be without work in India.

Synonyms

• gynie (diminutive)

Related terms

• gynaecology

Translations

English

Etymology

From Old English midw?f, corresponding to mid (“with”) + w?f (“woman”). It appears not to be entirely clear whether the original understanding was “with-woman” in the sense of “attending/assisting woman”, or “they who are with the woman” (namely the mother).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?m?d.wa?f/

Noun

midwife (plural midwives)

1. A person, usually a woman, who is trained to assist women in childbirth, but who is not a physician.

   A hundred years ago, a midwife would bring the baby into the world - going to a hospital to deliver a baby was either impossible or unheard of.

2. (rare, figuratively) Someone who assists in bringing about some result or project.

Usage notes

• The term is applicable to both males and females. Despite this, the term midhusband is also sometimes used (usually in humour).

Synonyms

• accoucheuse

Coordinate terms

• accoucheur
• man-midwife

Derived terms

• midwife toad
• midwifery

Related terms

• midhusband

Translations

Verb

midwife (third-person singular simple present midwives or midwifes, present participle midwiving or midwifing, simple past and past participle midwived or midwifed)

1. (transitive) To act as a midwife
2. (transitive, figuratively) to facilitate the emergence of

   But the bigger objective was to help Iraqis midwife a democratic model that could inspire reform across the Arab-Muslim world and give the youth there a chance at a better future.

   Thomas L. Friedman. "Attention: Baby on Board." New York Times. April 13, 2010.

Usage notes

While elementary students are taught "replace 'f' with 'v'," the mistake resulting in "midwifed" is made often enough in informal/colloquial language to indicate the rule is not consistently followed.

Translations

See also

• doula
• obstetrician
• obstetrics