Maternal and Fetal Assessment – Key Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering maternal and fetal assessment topics, high-risk pregnancy factors, infections, placental and umbilical disorders, diabetes, hypertensive conditions, fetal surveillance techniques, and complications of preterm and postterm birth.

High-Risk Pregnancy

Any pregnancy with maternal, fetal, or placental factors that increase the chance of adverse outcomes for mother or baby.

Maternal Medical History

Comprehensive review and interview covering current and past pregnancies, illnesses, medications, and prenatal care.

Gravida

The total number of times a woman has been pregnant, regardless of outcome.

Parity

The number of pregnancies reaching at least 20 weeks’ gestation (viability), alive or stillborn.

TPAL

Obstetric shorthand: T-term births, P-preterm births, A-abortions, L-living children.

Multiple Gestation

A pregnancy involving more than one fetus; increases risk of preterm labor, preeclampsia, and fetal complications.

Placenta Previa

Placenta implants low, partially or completely covering the cervical os; often requires cesarean delivery.

Placental Abruption

Premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, leading to maternal hemorrhage and fetal hypoxia.

Preterm Labor

Uterine contractions causing cervical change between 20 and 37 weeks’ gestation.

Postterm Pregnancy

Gestation that extends beyond 42 completed weeks.

Preeclampsia

Pregnancy-specific hypertension after 20 weeks with proteinuria or organ dysfunction.

Gestational Diabetes

Glucose intolerance first recognized during pregnancy, usually resolving after delivery.

Cervical Insufficiency

Painless cervical dilation leading to recurrent mid-trimester losses or preterm birth.

Polyhydramnios

Excess amniotic fluid; associated with diabetes, twin-to-twin transfusion, or fetal anomalies.

Oligohydramnios

Too little amniotic fluid; linked to renal defects, IUGR, or ruptured membranes.

Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)

Poor fetal growth resulting in weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age.

Antepartum Hemorrhage

Bleeding from the genital tract after 20 weeks but before delivery; common causes include previa and abruption.

Prenatal Care

Ongoing medical monitoring, education, and support aimed at identifying and managing pregnancy complications early.

Advanced Maternal Age (AMA)

Pregnancy in women older than 35 years, linked to higher risks of chromosomal anomalies and obstetric complications.

Transplacental Transmission

Infection crossing the placenta from mother to fetus during pregnancy.

Intrauterine Infection

Pathogen exposure occurring within the uterus, often during labor from ascending organisms.

Postnatal Transmission

Infection passed to the neonate after birth, e.g., via breastfeeding or contact with maternal secretions.

Hepatitis B

Viral liver infection; perinatal transmission via blood/fluids at delivery; preventable with vaccine and immunoglobulin.

HIV Type 1

Human immunodeficiency virus; maternal antiretrovirals markedly reduce vertical transmission.

Group B Streptococci (GBS)

Bacterial colonizer of maternal genital tract; intrapartum antibiotics prevent neonatal sepsis and meningitis.

Genital Herpes

Herpes simplex virus-2 infection; active lesions warrant cesarean or antiviral therapy to reduce neonatal disease.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Skin-to-skin viral infection; usually mild in pregnancy but some treatments harmful to fetus.

Chlamydia

Common bacterial STI; neonatal exposure causes conjunctivitis or pneumonia, treated with erythromycin ointment.

Syphilis

Treponema pallidum infection; can cause congenital syphilis or stillbirth; treatable with penicillin.

Gonorrhea

Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection; neonatal risk of ophthalmia, sepsis, meningitis; prevented with antibiotics.

Trichomoniasis

Protozoal STI linked to preterm birth and low birth weight; treated with metronidazole.

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

Alcohol intake during pregnancy leading to a spectrum of fetal anomalies known as FASD.

Placental Disorders

Conditions affecting placenta function, including previa, abruption, preeclampsia, and infection.

Two-Vessel Cord

Umbilical cord with one artery and one vein; associated with renal, cardiac, or chromosomal defects.

Cord Prolapse

Umbilical cord descends through cervix before presenting part, risking fetal hypoxia.

Nuchal Cord

Umbilical cord wrapped around fetal neck; may cause hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Preeclampsia Risk Factors

Include chronic hypertension, diabetes, obesity, first pregnancy, multifetal gestation, and AMA.

HELLP Syndrome

Severe preeclampsia variant: Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelets; high maternal mortality.

Type 1 Diabetes

Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells; insulin-dependent, 5–10 % of diabetes cases.

Type 2 Diabetes

Progressive insulin resistance and secretory defect; majority of diabetes; often diet/medication managed.

Polyhydramnios – Associated Conditions

Maternal diabetes, multiple pregnancy, fetal anemia, congenital infections, TTTS, anomalies.

Oligohydramnios – Associated Conditions

Renal defects, rupture of membranes, postterm pregnancy, IUGR, preeclampsia.

Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS)

Monochorionic twin complication where donor twin becomes anemic/oligohydramniotic and recipient twin develops polyhydramnios and heart failure.

Antenatal Fetal Assessment

Tests such as ultrasound, FHR monitoring, and biophysical profile to evaluate fetal well-being before birth.

Ultrasound

Real-time imaging to assess fetal anatomy, activity, amniotic fluid, placenta location, and growth.

Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring

Electronic tracking of fetal heart rate and uterine contractions during pregnancy and labor.

Nonstress Test (NST)

Noninvasive test measuring fetal heart accelerations with movement; reactive result indicates adequate oxygenation.

Contraction Stress Test (CST)

Assesses fetal heart response to uterine contractions; late decelerations suggest placental insufficiency.

Fetal Biophysical Profile (BPP)

Composite score of NST plus ultrasound observation of breathing, movement, tone, and amniotic fluid.

Amniocentesis

Needle aspiration of amniotic fluid (16–18 weeks) to detect infections, chromosomal defects, or lung maturity.

Preterm Birth

Delivery occurring after 20 weeks but before 37 completed weeks of gestation.

Tocolytic Therapy

Medications used to suppress uterine contractions and delay preterm delivery for up to 48 hours.

Magnesium Sulfate

Tocolytic and neuroprotective agent reducing preterm contractions and risk of cerebral palsy in preemies.

Indomethacin

NSAID tocolytic that inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, delaying preterm labor.

Nifedipine

Calcium-channel blocker used orally to relax uterine muscle and postpone preterm birth.

Postterm Birth

Delivery after 42 weeks; associated with macrosomia, oligohydramnios, and increased perinatal morbidity.

Macrosomia

Excessive fetal growth (birthweight >4000–4500 g), often linked to maternal diabetes or postterm gestation.

Meconium Aspiration Syndrome

Neonatal respiratory distress caused by inhalation of meconium-stained amniotic fluid.

Dysfunctional Labor

Abnormal uterine contractions leading to prolonged or difficult labor; more common postterm.

Shoulder Dystocia

Obstetric emergency where fetal shoulders fail to deliver after the head, risking injury.

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Brain injury from inadequate oxygen and blood flow during birth, associated with cord accidents.