An explanation of basic terms used in obstetric practice

1. A summary of common terms used in
obstetric practice
Associate Professor Dr Hanif Khan

2. • This is the number of times a mother has been pregnant
• This includes the current pregnancy
• A primigravida is pregnant for the first time whereas a
multigravida is counted as 2 or more pregnancies
• A grandmultigravida is one who has been pregnant 4 or more
times
• An elderly primi- or multigravida is one pregnant after the age
of 35

3. • This is the number of times a mother has delivered after 24
completed weeks gestation (the age of viability)
• A multipara is one who has delivered more than 1 baby
• Parity can include live or still births

4. • This is the presence of an embryo or fetus
• The duration of the pregnancy is termed the gestational age
• Gestational age can only be measured from history (the first
day of the last menstrual period) or early ultrasound scan

5. • Miscarriage or abortion is the delivery of the fetus or products
of conception before 24 weeks gestation
• Miscarriage can be divided into early and midtrimester
miscarriage
• An early trimester miscarriage may be considered usual
whereas a midtrimester miscarriage is always unusual or
abnormal

6. • This is the birth of a dead baby after 24 completed weeks of
gestation
• If the fetus has been dead for more than 24 hours, changes
in its appearance occur, and this is termed as maceration.
This type of stillbirth is then called a macerated stillbirth
• If the death is recent, the fetus will appear normal and is
termed a fresh stillbirth

7. • Any pregnancy located outside a normal endometrial cavity
is termed an ectopic pregnancy
• Almost all ectopic pregnancies occur in the Fallopian tubes

8. • This is significant bleeding from a pregnancy after 24 weeks
of gestation until delivery of the fetus
• It is considered an obstetric emergency
• Any bleed before 24 weeks is termed a threatened
miscarriage

9. • Significant bleeding that occurs from after the delivery of the
fetus to 6 weeks postpartum
• Usually quantified as more than 500 mls but may be difficult
to estimate

10. • The onset of regular painful uterine contractions
progressively increasing in duration, intensity and frequency
associated with the descent of the presenting part and
dilatation and effacement of the cervix
• It may be normal or induced

11. • The distance of the uppermost part of the
fundus of the uterus to the upper border of the
symphysis pubis
• It gives an idea of how far advanced the
pregnancy is
• usually measured in centimeters or in terms of
finger-breadths above the symphysis pubis
Fundal Height

12. • The relationship of the long axis of the
fetus to the long axis of the mother
• It can be longitudinal, oblique or
transverse.

13. • The fetal part that lies closest to or has entered the pelvic
cavity
• The presentation may be cephalic, breech, shoulder or
even cord.

14. • The presenting part is said to be engaged, when
it’s widest part has passed through the pelvic
brim
• Engagement is assessed abdominally by
palpating the fetal head
• Rule of fifths: when 2/5 or less is palpated
abdominally above the symphysis pubis, the
head is said to be engaged.

15. • The level of the
presenting part of the
fetus in the birth canal is
estimated in centimeters
(cm)
• A negative number
denotes a level above
and a positive number
below an imaginary plane
through the ischial spine
• Assessment of the station
of the presenting part is
an important determinant
of the progress of labour

16. • The leading part of the presenting
part is called the denominator
• The relationship which the
denominator of fetus bears to the
maternal pelvis defines the position
Presentation Denominator
Vertex Occiput
Face Mentum (chin)
Breech sacrum

17. • This is the
shortening of the
cervix and the
thinning of its wall
as it stretches and
dilates during
labour.

18. • Moulding occurs with the
descent of the fetal head into the
pelvis
• The purpose of this is to reduce
the head circumference & allow
easier delivery
• Frontal bones slip under
parietal bones
• Parietal bones override each
other
• Parietal bones slip under the
occipital bone

19. Thank you