An "obstetric unit" refers to a specialized department or area within a hospital where pregnant women go to receive medical care and give birth to their babies. Full definition
... [T] here was a significant excess of the primary outcome in births planned at home compared with those planned in obstetric units in the restricted group of women without complicating conditions at the start of care in labour. (skepticalob.com)
(OU stands for Obstetric unit [hospital], AMU stands for along side maternity unit [in hospital birth center], and FMU for free - standing maternity unit [independent birth center].) (skepticalob.com)
As of 1997, «nearly two - thirds of all women who give birth in hospitals with high - volume obstetric units had an epidural during labor. (crunchydomesticgoddess.com)