OB Terminology

Question 1

Amnion

Answer 1

Inner fetal membrane which forms the sac containing the fetus or amniotic fluid

Question 2

Antepartum/antepartal

Answer 2

Time period beginning with conception to the onset of labor

Question 3

Attitude

Answer 3

Relationship of the fetal parts to one another

Question 4

Breech presentation

Answer 4

Presenting part being either the fetal buttocks or feet

Question 5

Cervix

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Chorion

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Conception

Answer 7

Occurs when sperm nucleus enters the nucleus of the oocyte/ovum aka fertilization

Question 8

Dilation

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Dystocia

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Effacement

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Engagement

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Episiotomy

Answer 12

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

Question 13

False labor

Answer 13

Also called Braxton hicks contractions. Irregular contractions with little to no cervical change

Question 14

Fetus

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Fetal attitude (or posture)

Answer 15

Relationship of fetal parts to one another

Question 16

Fundus

Answer 16

The upper portion of the uterus between the fallopian tubes

Question 17

Fetal lie

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Fetal position

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Fetal presentation

Answer 19

The fetal body part that enters the maternal pelvis first

Question 20

Gestation

Answer 20

The period of intrauterine development from conception until birth

Question 21

Gestational age

Answer 21

The number of complete weeks of fetal development

Question 22

Gravida

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Intrapartum/intrapartal

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Involution

Answer 24

The reduction of size in the uterus following childbirth

Question 25

Labor

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Lightening

Answer 26

Moving of the fetus and uterus downward into the pelvic cavity

Question 27

Lochia

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Multigravida

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Multipara

Answer 29

Woman with 2 or more births

Question 30

Nulligravida

Answer 30

Woman who has never been pregnant

Question 31

Para

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Postpartum/postpartal

Answer 32

The 6 week period of time following childbirth

Question 33

Preterm labor

Answer 33

Labor that starts after 20 weeks but before 37 weeks

Question 34

Primigravida

Answer 34

Woman pregnant for the first time

Question 35

Primipara

Answer 35

Woman with one birth after 20 weeks

Question 36

Station

Answer 36

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

Question 37

Stillbirth

Answer 37

Fetus born dead after 20 weeks gestation

Question 38

Term

Answer 38

Normal duration pregnancy (37-42 weeks)

Question 39

Trimester

Answer 39

Three months, or one third of the gestational time for pregnancy