Terms Associated with Pregnancy

Terms Associated with Pregnancy

Abortion . . . . . . . .the spontaneous or induced termination of pregnancy before the fetus reaches viability
Chloasma . . . . . . .mask of pregnancy
Crowning . . . . . . .presentation of the fetal head at the vaginal
introitus CST . . . . . . . . . . . .contraction stress test
Deceleration . . . . .decrease in fetal heart rate
Dilatation . . . . . . .widening of cervical os and canal
Eclampsia . . . . . . .seizures 2 to hypertension
EDDor EDC . . . . . .estimated date of delivery or confinement
Embryo phase . . .weeks 3–8
Effacement . . . . . .shortening and thinning of cervix
Fetus phase . . . . .from week 9 until delivery
FHR . . . . . . . . . . . .fetal heart rate
FHT . . . . . . . . . . . .fetal heart tone
Gravida . . . . . . . . .number of ALL pregnancies, regardless of outcome, including current pregnancy
HCG . . . . . . . . . . . . . .human chorionic gonadotropin
HELLP . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Lowered Platelets (a bleeding disorder similar to DIC)
Homans’ sign . . . . . . .pain elicited by dorsiflexion of foot
Hyperemesis . . . . . . .excessive nausea and vomiting in early gravidarum pregnancy
IDM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .infant of diabetic mother
Involution . . . . . . . . . .return of uterus to nonpregnant size
Lanugo . . . . . . . . . . . .soft downy body hair
LGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .large for gestational age
LNMP . . . . . . . . . . . . .last normal menstrual period
L:S ratio . . . . . . . . . . .lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio: determines fetal lung maturity (2:1 ratio is desirable)
MAb . . . . . . . . . . . . . .miscarriage abortion
Macrosomia . . . . . . . .birth weight > 4000 g
Meconium . . . . . . . . .fetal defecation while in utero at time of labor that occurs with fetal distress
Miscarriage . . . . . . . . .spontaneous abortion
Multigravida . . . . . . . .has been pregnant more than once
Multipara . . . . . . . . . .two or more pregnancies beyond 20 weeks
Nidation . . . . . . . . . . .implantation—occurs between day 7 to 10 postconception
NST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .nonstress test
Nullipara . . . . . . . . . . .never produced a viable offspring
OCT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .oxytocin challenge test
Operculum . . . . . . . . .mucus plug
Organogenesis . . . . . .weeks 3–8
Para . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .number of viable births > 20 weeks
Pica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ingestion of nonnutritive substances
PIH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pregnancy-induced hypertension (see preeclampsia this section)
Post-term . . . . . . . . . .gestation lasting longer than 42 weeks
POC . . . . . . . . . . . .product of conception
Preeclampsia . . . . .mild preeclampsia is 140/90 or higher and severe is 160/110 or higher
Preterm . . . . . . . . .born prior to beginning of 38th week
Primigravida . . . . . .first pregnancy ever
Primipara . . . . . . . .only one pregnancy carried past 20 weeks
PTL . . . . . . . . . . . . .preterm labor
Puerperal . . . . . . . .up to 21–42 days postpartum period
ROM . . . . . . . . . . . .rupture of membranes (1000 mL at term)
SGA . . . . . . . . . . . .small for gestational age
Station, fetal . . . . .relation of presenting part to maternal pelvic ischial spines
Striae . . . . . . . . . . .stretch marks
Supine . . . . . . . . . .caused by compression of vena cava hypotension

■ Relieved by lying in a lateral recumbent position
TAb . . . . . . . . . . . . .therapeutic abortion
Teratogenic . . . . . .harmful to developing embryo
TPAL . . . . . . . . . . . .Term, Premature births, Abortions or miscarriages, Living children
Trimester . . . . . . . .one of three phases of pregnancy, each consisting of 13 weeks
Variability . . . . . . . .refers to irregularities in fetal heart rate
Vernix . . . . . . . . . . .cheeselike coating on newborn’s skin
Viability . . . . . . . . .pregnancy lasting beyond 20 weeks of gestation
Viable fetus . . . . . .uncompromised fetus beyond 20 weeks