By the early 19th century, obstetrics had become established as a recognized medical discipline in Europe and the United States. Prenatal care and instruction of pregnant mothers to reduce birth defects and problem deliveries was introduced about 1900 and was thereafter rapidly adopted throughout the world.

Who started obstetrics?

In 1899, with gynecology and obstetrics existing as two separate departments, John Whitridge Williams assumed the first directorship of the Department of Obstetrics. Williams has since come to be regarded as the founder of academic obstetrics in the United States.

Who was the first person to practice modern obstetrics?

Such a specialist was William Smellie, who led the way in the 18th century in establishing obstetrics as an academic discipline in Britain. A Scotsman, Smellie (1697–1763) was born in Lanarkshire and practised there for some years before enrolling to study medicine at Glasgow University.