OB Terminology and Definitions

The inner fetal membrane which forms the sac containing the fetus and amniotic fluid

Time period beginning with conception to the onset of labor

Relationship of the fetal parts to one another

Presenting part being either the fetal buttocks or feet

The neck or lowest part of the uterus; interfaces with vagina

The outer fetal membrane closest to the intrauterine wall and surrounds the amnion

Occurs when sperm nucleus enters the nucleus of the oocyte/ovum, also called fertilization

Expansion of the external os of the cervix from an opening of a few millimeters in size to ten centimeters

Difficult or abnormal labor due to a number of different reasons, both fetal and maternal

Thinning and shortening of the cervix that occurs late in pregnancy or during labor

Occurs when the greatest diameter of fetal head passes through pelvic inlet

Incision of the perineum to facilitate birth and avoid laceration of the perineum

Also called Braxton Hicks contractions; irregular contractions with little or no cervical change

The child in utero from about the seventh to ninth week of gestation until birth

Relationship of the fetal parts to one another

Relationship of the long axis of the fetus and the long axis of the pregnant woman

Location of the fetal presenting part and specific fetal structures in relation to maternal pelvis

The fetal body part that enters the maternal pelvis first

The upper portion of the uterus between the fallopian tubes

The period of intrauterine development from conception through birth

The number of complete weeks of fetal development

A pregnant woman; in the Gravida/Para notation it is the number of times a woman has been pregnant

Time period beginning with onset of true labor through labor delivery of placenta

The reduction in size of the uterus following childbirth

The process by which the fetus is expelled from the maternal uterus

Moving of the fetus and uterus downward into the pelvic cavity

Maternal discharge of blood, mucus, and tissue from the uterus after birth

Woman in 2nd (also 3rd, or more) pregnancy

Woman with 2 or more births

Woman who has never been pregnant

ANY birth occurring after 20 weeks; in the Gravida/Para notation it is the number of births that occurred after 20 weeks of gestation; in the TPAL notation it is the number of infants born after 20 weeks gestation

The 6-week period of time following childbirth

Labor that starts after 20 weeks but before 37 weeks

Woman pregnant for the 1st time

Woman with one birth after 20 weeks

Amniotic Fluid Index

Alpha-fetoprotein

Average for gestational age

Advanced maternal age

Artificial rupture of membranes

Bag of waters

Biophysical profile

Cephalopelvic disproportion

Cesarean section (or C-section)

Contraction stress test

Chorionic villus sampling

Domestic violence

Elective abortion

Estimated blood loss

External cephalic version

Estimated date of birth

Estimated date of confinement

Estimated date of delivery

Electronic fetal monitoring

Fetal alcohol syndrome

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Fetal Fibronectin

Fetal Heart Rate

Group B Streptococcus

Grunting, flaring, retracting

Glucose tolerance test

Gravida/Para

Gravida/Term, Preterm, Abortion, Living

Human chorionic gonadotropin

Infant of a diabetic mother

Induction of labor

Intrauterine growth restriction

Intrauterine pressure catheter

Large for gestational age

Last menstrual period

Neonatal abstinence syndrome

Nonstress test

Normal spontaneous vaginal delivery

Occiput posterior

Postpartum depression

Preterm premature rupture of membranes

Premature rupture of membranes

Quantitative blood loss

Respiratory distress syndrome

Rupture of membranes

Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage)

Small for gestational age

Spontaneous rupture of membranes

Sterile vaginal exam

Therapeutic abortion (same as elective)

Trial of labor after cesarean

Uterine contraction

Vagina birth after cesarean

Relationship of the presenting fetal part to an imaginary line drawn between the pelvic ischial spines.

Fetus born dead after 20 weeks

Normal duration of pregnancy (37-42 weeks)

Three months, or one third, of the gestational period of pregnancy