Introduction to OB Terminology (NURS 368)

Amnion

Amnion

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

Antepartum/antepartal

time period beginning w 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 w 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

(fertilization)

Dilation

expansion of the external os of the cervix 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

Engagment

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

Episiotomy

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

False labor (Braxton Hicks contractions)

Irregular contractions w little or no cervical change

Fetus

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

Fetal attitude (posture)

relationship of the fetal parts to one another (2)

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

Fundus

the upper portion of the uterus between the fallopian tubes

Gestation

the period of intrauterine development from conception through birth

Gestational age

the # of complete weeks of fetal development

Gravida

*a pregnant woman

*in the Gravida/Para notation it is the # of times a woman has been pregnant

Intrapartum/intrapartal

time period beginning w onset of true labor through delivery of placenta

Involution

the reduction in size of 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 and more) pregnancy

Multipara

woman w 2 or more births

Nulligravida

woman who has never been pregnant

Para

• ANY birth occuring after 20 weeks

• in the Gravida/Para notation, it is the # of births that occured after 20 weeks of gestation

• In the TPAL notaltion, it is the # 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 1st time

Primipara

woman w 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 of pregnancy (37-42 weeks)

Trimester

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