Maternal Acronyms in Obstetrics

Maternal Acronyms

• Gravida (G): Refers to the number of times a patient has been pregnant, including the current pregnancy.
• Parity (P): Indicates the number of births (live or stillbirth) after 24 weeks. Twin deliveries count as one event for parity.
• Gestation (Gest): The period of time during which a fetus develops inside the womb.
• Induction of Labour (IOL): A medical procedure used to stimulate contractions before natural labor begins.
• Assisted Rupture of Membranes (ARM): A procedure where the amniotic sac is deliberately ruptured to facilitate labor.
• Female Infant / Male Infant (FI / MI): Designations used to differentiate the sex of newborns.
• Lower Segment C Section (LSCS): A surgical procedure performed to deliver a baby through incisions in the lower segment of the uterus.
• Emergency C Section (EmCS): A cesarean delivery that occurs due to unexpected complications during labor or delivery.
• Elective C Section (ElCS): A planned cesarean delivery that is scheduled in advance for non-emergency reasons.
• Vaginal Birth after Caesarean / Trial of Scar (VBAC / TOS): Refers to the process of attempting a vaginal delivery after having a previous cesarean section, with an associated risk of scar dehiscence.
• Pre-eclampsia Toxaemia (PET): A pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often affecting the liver and kidneys.
• Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH): High blood pressure that develops during pregnancy, which can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
• Intra-uterine Death (IUD): The death of a fetus within the uterus at any stage of pregnancy.
• Still Birth (SB): The birth of a baby that has died in the womb after 24 weeks of pregnancy.
• Neonatal Death (NND): The death of a baby within the first 28 days after birth.
• Group B Strep Infection (GBS): A bacterial infection that can be present in the mother and may affect the baby during or after birth; commonly noted in medical records.
• Breech Presentation (Br): A positioning of the fetus in the womb where the feet or buttocks are positioned to be delivered first instead of the head.
• Transverse Lie (Trans): Fetal position where the baby lies sideways in the uterus, which complicates vaginal delivery.
• Cephalic / Vertex Presentation (Ceph): The normal position for a fetus during delivery, where the head is facing down.
• Occiput Posterior (OP): A position where the back of the baby's head is against the mother’s back, making delivery more challenging.
• Occiput Anterior (OA): The ideal fetal position for delivery where the baby's face is toward the mother’s spine.
• Placenta Previa (PP): A condition during pregnancy where the placenta partially or wholly covers the cervix, leading to complications during delivery.
• Normal Vaginal Delivery (NVD): A standard delivery method characterized by the baby being born through the birth canal without medical interventions.
• Spontaneous Rupture of Membranes (SROM): The natural breaking of the amniotic sac, which can signal that labor is beginning.

Test your knowledge of essential acronyms used in obstetrics with this quiz! Understand terms like Gravida, Parity, and various surgical procedures related to childbirth. Perfect for medical students and healthcare professionals.