A maternity ward was a special section of a hospital devoted to obstetrics. In response to the rapid reproduction of overfed tribbles in 2268, James T. Kirk jokingly suggested that Leonard McCoy open up a maternity ward. (TOS: "The Trouble with Tribbles" ) The USS Enterprise-D had a section of sickbay devoted to this purpose. When Deanna Troi began going into labour with her "son" Ian in 2365, Doctor Katherine Pulaski told her they would head to maternity. (TNG: "The Child" )