Common Obstetrical Terms and Abbreviations
| Term/Abbreviation | Definition |
|---|---|
| Abortion (Ab) | Spontaneous or induced termination of pregnancy before 20 weeks’ gestation |
| ACOG | American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists |
| AFP | Protein secreted by the fetus and found in maternal blood; maternal serum sample drawn between 15 and 18 weeks’ gestation to detect babies with increased risk for neural tube defects or Down syndrome |
| Antepartum | Time of pregnancy |
| AWHONN | Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses |
| Chadwick’s sign | Bluish hue of the cervix; probable sign of pregnancy |
| Chloasma | Deepening facial pigment resembling a mask related to increased estrogen levels |
| Colostrum | Breast fluid produced early in pregnancy and immediately after birth |
| C/S | Cesarean section; operative abdominal birth |
| Dilation | Opening of the cervical os |
| Effacement | Thinning of the cervix represented by percentage |
| Embryo | Human development in utero from day 15 until the 8th week of gestation |
| Ferning | Microscopic picture of amniotic fluid; resembles fern plant |
| Fetus | Developing baby in utero from 9 weeks’ gestation until delivery |
| FHR | Fetal heart rate |
| Gestation | Time from conception to birth |
| Gestational diabetes | Glucose intolerance that is first recognized in pregnancy |
| Goodell’s sign | Softening of the cervix; probable sign of pregnancy |
| Gravid | Pregnant |
| Gravida (G) | Term used when counting the number of pregnancies |
| hCG | Human chorionic gonadotropin |
| Hegar’s sign | Softening of the lower uterine segment; probable sign of pregnancy |
| Lightening | Descent of the fetus into the birth canal |
| Linea nigra | Line of darkened pigmentation from the symphysis pubis to the umbilicus in pregnancy |
| LNMP | Last normal menstrual period |
| Macrosomia | Large infant, greater than 4000 g (8.8 lb) |
| Missed abortion | Fetal demise without symptoms of cramping, bleeding, or dilation |
| Multiparity | Giving birth on multiple occasions |
| Neonate | First 28 days in the life of a newborn |
| NST | Nonstress test |
| OTC | Over-the-counter medications |
| Para (P) | Pregnancies that carry a fetus beyond 20 weeks’ gestation |
| Placenta previa | Placenta that is implanted in the lower uterine segment, sometimes covering the cervical os |
| Postnatal | After birth |
| Prenatal | Before birth |
| Preterm labor | Initiation of labor between 20 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks’ gestation |
| Quickening | Fetal movement perceived by the mother, expected by 16 weeks’ gestation |
| Round ligament pain | Occasional, sharp lower abdominal pain related to stretching of round ligament with uterine growth |
| Station | Relation of fetal presenting part with the maternal ischial spines |
| Striae | Stretch marks |
| Supine hypotension | Low blood pressure resulting from supine positioning in pregnancy; signs include pallor, nausea, diaphoresis, dizziness |
| Surfactant | A lipoprotein that maintains the stability of pulmonary tissue by reducing the surface tension |
| Teratogens | Substances that are harmful to the developing fetus; advise patient to avoid exposure |
| Term (T) |
|
| Threatened abortion | Symptoms of cramping and slight bleeding without cervical dilation in early pregnancy |
| Tocolytic | Medication given in an attempt to stop preterm labor |
42 0/7 weeks’ gestation