OB Terminology Flashcards
Amnion
Inner fetal membrane which forms the sac containing the fetus or amniotic fluid
Antepartum/antepartal
Time period beginning with conception to the onset of labor
Attitude
Relationship of the fetal parts to one another
Breech presentation
Presenting part being either the fetal buttocks or feet
Cervix
The neck or lowest part of the uterus; interfaces the vagina
Chorion
The outer fetal membrane closest to the intrauterine wall and surrounds the amnion
Conception
Occurs when sperm nucleus enters the nucleus of the oocyte/ovum aka fertilization
Dilation
Expansion of the external os of the uterus from an opening of a few millimeters in size to ten centimeters
Dystocia
Difficult or abnormal labor due to a number of different reasons, both fetal and maternal
Effacement
Thinning and shortening of the cervix that occurs late in pregnancy or during labor
Engagement
Occurs when the greatest diameter of the fetal head passes through the pelvic inlet
Episiotomy
Incision of the perineum to facilitate birth and avoid laceration of the perineum
False labor
Also called Braxton hicks contractions. Irregular contractions with little to no cervical change
Fetus
The child in utero from about the seventh to ninth week until birth
Fetal attitude (or posture)
Relationship of fetal parts to one another
Fundus
The upper portion of the uterus between the fallopian tubes
Fetal lie
Relationship of the long axis of the fetus and the long axis of the pregnant woman
Fetal position
Location of the fetal presenting part and specific fetal structures in relation to maternal pelvis
Fetal presentation
The fetal body part that enters the maternal pelvis first
Gestation
The period of intrauterine development from conception until birth
Gestational age
The number of complete weeks of fetal development
Gravida
A pregnant woman; in the gravida/para notation it is the number of times a woman has been pregnant
Intrapartum/intrapartal
Time period beginning with onset of true labor through delivery of the placenta
Involution
The reduction of size in the uterus following childbirth
Labor
The process by which the fetus is expelled from the maternal uterus
Lightening
Moving of the fetus and uterus downward into the pelvic cavity
Lochia
Maternal discharge of blood, mucus, and tissue from the uterus after birth
Multigravida
Woman in 2nd (also 3rd- or more) pregnancy
Multipara
Woman with 2 or more births
Nulligravida
Woman who has never been pregnant
Para
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
Postpartum/postpartal
The 6 week period of time following childbirth
Preterm labor
Labor that starts after 20 weeks but before 37 weeks
Primigravida
Woman pregnant for the first time
Primipara
Woman with one birth after 20 weeks
Station
Relationship of the presenting fetal part to an imaginary line drawn between the pelvic ischial spines
Stillbirth
Fetus born dead after 20 weeks gestation
Term
Normal duration pregnancy (37-42 weeks)
Trimester
Three months, or one third of the gestational time for pregnancy
