OB terminology

Two digits G/P

Two digits G/P: G—Gravida P—Para

Amniotic fluid

a liquid produced by the fetal membranes and the fetus. It surrounds the fetus throughout pregnancy, protecting it from trauma and temperature variations, providing freedom of fetal movements, and helping maintain the fetal oxygen supply Cushions/protects baby

Abortion

a spontaneous or elective termination of pregnancy before the 20th week of gestation, based on the date of the last menstrual period. *Spontaneous abortion* is frequently called miscarriage.

Amniotic sac

a thin-walled bag that contains the fetus and amniotic fluid during pregnancy "Bag of water"

ROM

Rupture of membranes

SGA

Small for gestational age [below 10th percentile]

SROM

Spontaneous rupture of membranes

REEDA

acronym for *redness, ecchymosis, edema, discharge, and approximation*. Useful for assessing wound healing or the presence of inflammation or infection. Ecchymosis: discoloration of skin

Colostrum

breast fluid secreted during pregnancy and immediately after childbirth. Clearish/Yellow Helps clear secretions Rich in immuno

37^1 week

considered TERM b/c it is in the 38th week

Uterine atony

decreased uterine muscle contraction; a primary cause of excessive bleeding. If it does not clamp down; uncontracted uterus "Boggy"

Fetus

developing baby from 9 weeks after conception until birth. In everyday practice this term is often used to describe a developing baby during pregnancy, regardless of age.

FHR

fetal heart rate

Presentation

fetal part that first enters the pelvic inlet; also, the presenting part.

Postdate or postterm

pregnancy that goes beyond 42 weeks of gestation

Preterm

pregnancy that has reached 20 weeks of gestation but before completion of 37 weeks of gestation

Antepartum

refers to the period of pregnancy before the onset of labor.

EDD

EDD: estimated date of delivery. May also be abbreviated EDB (estimated date of birth).

PROM

*Premature rupture of the membranes*: spontaneous rupture of the membranes before the onset of labor. The gestation may be term, preterm, or postterm. NOT PREMIE Membranes ruptured before labor started

PPROM

*Preterm premature rupture of the membranes* After 20 weeks BUT Before the completion of 37 weeks

AMA

Advanced maternal age

AROM

Artificial rupture of membranes

Effacement

Cervical thinning

Viability

Fetus's capacity to live outside the uterus At about 22 to 25 weeks gestation are on the threshold of viability These very premature infants are vulnerable to brain injury

Five digits GTPAL

Five digits GTPAL: Gravidity, term, preterm, abortions, living children

Fontanel

Fontanel: space at the intersection of sutures connecting fetal or infant skull bones. Sunken= dehydration Swollen= ICP Frontal Anterior= diamond shaped Coronal Sagittal Posterior= triangle shaped Lambdoid

Gravida/Para

Gravida (gravidity): # of Pregnancies Para (parady): # of live births WOMAN HAS TWO KIDS, ONE ABORTION, AND IS CURRENTLY PREGNANT: Gravida = 4; Para = 2

HRM

High Risk Maternity

LGA

Large for gestational age [above 90th percentile]

Late preterm

Late preterm: Pregnancy that has reached between 34 weeks 0 days and 36 weeks 6 days gestation

Parity

Number of pregnancies in which fetus or fetuses have reached viability, not number of fetuses (e.g., twins) born. Whether the fetus is born alive or is stillborn (fetus who shows no signs of life at birth) after viability is reached does not affect parity Deliveries at 20 weeks or later

38^1

One day in the 39th week

Gravidity

Pregnancy

Early term

Pregnancy that has reached between 37 weeks 0 days and 38 weeks 6 days gestation

Full term

Pregnancy that has reached between 39 weeks 0 days and 40 weeks 6 days

Late term

Pregnancy that has reached between 41 weeks 0 days and 41 weeks 6 days

Bilirubin

Unusable component of hemolyzed (broken down) erythrocytes.

Primigravida

Woman pregnant for first time

Primipara

Woman who has completed one pregnancy with fetus or fetuses who have reached stage of fetal viability

Multipara

Woman who has completed two or more pregnancies to stage of fetal viability

Nulligravida

Woman who has never been pregnant

Nullipara

Woman who has not completed a pregnancy that has reached stage of fetal viability

Gravida

Woman who is pregnant

Crowning

appearance of the fetal scalp or presenting part at the vaginal opening.

AGA

appropriate for gestational age

Dilation

gradual widening of the cervix in the process of labor. Cervix is effaced

Nadir

lowest point Refers to fetal heart monitoring chart

Station

measurement of fetal descent in relation to the ischial spines of the maternal pelvis. Where the baby is in the pelvis +Station= baby is heading out of pelvis -Station=baby is above the pelvis

Sutures

narrow areas of flexible tissue that connect the fetal skull bones, permitting slight movement during labor.

Preterm labor

onset of labor after 20 weeks and before the beginning of the 38th week of gestation.

Fundus

part of the uterus that is farthest from the cervix, above the openings of the fallopian tubes

Acme

peak, or period of greatest strength, of a uterine contraction.

Lochia serosa

pink or brown-tinged vaginal discharge that follows lochia rubra; composed largely of serous exudate, blood, and leukocytes. on 4th day to about 7-10 days

Term

pregnancy from beginning of week 38 of gestation to end of week 42 of gestation

Gestational age

prenatal age of the developing baby (measured in weeks) calculated from the 1st day of the woman's last menstrual period. Also called menstrual age, about 2 weeks longer than the fertilization age.

Lochia rubra

reddish or red-brown vaginal discharge that occurs immediately after childbirth; composed mostly of blood. Birth to about 3 days

Postpartum

refers to the first 6 weeks after childbirth. Everything restored to their almost restored stage

Lactation

secretion of milk from the breasts; also describes the time when a child is breastfed.

SVD

spontaneous vaginal delivery

Placenta

structure that provides nourishment through umbilical chord and removes wastes from the developing baby and secretes hormones necessary for the pregnancy to continue

Cesarean birth

surgical birth of the fetus through an incision in the abdominal wall and uterus.

Episiotomy

surgical incision of the perineum to enlarge the vaginal opening.

Engorgement

swelling of the breasts resulting from increased blood flow, edema, and the presence of milk.

Intrapartum

the time of labor and childbirth.

VAD

vacuum assisted delivery

Lochia alba

white, cream-colored, or light yellow vaginal discharge that follows lochia serosa. 10 to 14 days after birth