[Legal aspects in obstetric medicine]

Legal aspects in obstetrics concern in the first place all liabilities such as compulsory preoperative information of patients in respect of involved risks and of all risks involved in childbirth. In addition there is a liability in case of malpractice. A physician may also be held legally responsible by a court in case of absence of documentation or if the documentation is improper, faulty or incomplete. In conclusion, this overview also deals with the limits of medical obligation to treat a patient in case of a most severely damaged newborn and the limits of liability of the obstetrician in respect of the liability of the midwife. All legal aspects take topical court rulings in consideration.