Obstetrical Terms

Question 1

Birth that occurs before the end of 20 weeks’ gestation.

Answer 1

Abortion

Question 2

Refers to the implantation of a fertilized ovum in an area outside of the uterus.

Answer 2

Ectopic Pregnancy

Question 3

The number of weeks of pregnancy since the first day of the last menstrual period.

Answer 3

Gestation

Question 4

A woman who has never been pregnant.

Answer 4

Nulligravida

Question 5

Interventions and behaviors that increase and maintain the level of well-being of persons, families, groups, communities, and society; process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve their health.

Answer 5

Health promotion

Question 6

Time between conception and the onset of labor; usually used to describe the period during which a woman is pregnant; used interchangeably with prenatal.

Answer 6

Antepartum

Question 7

Time from the onset of true labor until the birth of the infant and placenta.

Answer 7

Intrapartum

Question 8

Time from the delivery of the placenta and membranes until the woman’s body returns to a non-pregnant condition.

Answer 8

Postpartum

Question 9

Labor that occurs after 20 weeks’ but before completion of 37 weeks’ gestation.

Answer 9

Preterm Labor

Question 10

A method to evaluate the fetus by noting any unusual changes in the fetal heart rate using an ultrasonic device. Also measures contraction frequency and duration.

Answer 10

Electronic Fetal Monitoring

Question 11

Analysis of maternal serum for abnormal levels of alpha-fetoprotein (MSAF), human chorionic gonadotropin (HcG), inhibin A, and estriols that may predict chromosomal abnormalities or neural tube defects in the fetus.

Answer 11

Maternal Serum Multiple Marker Screen

Question 12

Transcervical or transabdominal sampling of chorionic villi (projections on the outer fetal membrane) for analysis of fetal cells.

Answer 12

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

Question 13

The union of the sperm and ovum to form a zygote.

Answer 13

Conception

Question 14

An infant born dead after 20 weeks gestation.

Answer 14

Stillbirth

Question 15

Normal duration of a pregnancy (38-40 weeks gestation).

Answer 15

Term Pregnancy

Question 16

Duration of pregnancy greater than 40 weeks gestation.

Answer 16

Post Dates Pregnancy

Question 17

Duration of pregnancy less than 38 weeks gestation.

Answer 17

Preterm Pregnancy

Question 18

Refers to a woman who was pregnant regardless of the gestation.

Answer 18

Gravid

Question 19

Is noted with the total number of pregnancies and represented by the letter P or the word para.

Answer 19

Parity

Question 20

A woman who is pregnant for the first time.

Answer 20

Primigravida

Question 21

A woman who is in her second or any subsequent pregnancy.

Answer 21

Multigravida

Question 22

Artificial rupture of membranes.

Answer 22

Amniotomy

Question 23

Technique for visualizing deep structures of the body by recording the reflections (echoes) of sound waves directed into the tissue.

Answer 23

Ultrasound

Question 24

Portable ultrasonic device used to auscultate fetal heart tones, it does not measure contractions.

Answer 24

Doppler

Question 25

The use of artificial methods to stimulate uterine contractions.

Answer 25

Induction of Labor

Question 26

Fetal head size is too large to fit through the maternal pelvis.

Answer 26

Cephalopelvic Disproportion

Question 27

A condition that can develop during pregnancy. It occurs when not enough amniotic fluid, which surrounds the fetus, is produced.

Answer 27

Oligohydramnios

Question 28

To suppress immune response of Rho negative mothers exposed to Rho positive blood due to Rho positive neonate during childbirth, and thereby prevent hemolytic disease of newborn in future pregnancies.

Answer 28

Rho (D) immune globulin (RhoGAM)

Question 29

Test is used to detect antibodies that are stuck to the surface of red blood cells. Helps identify newborns at risk for development of jaundice.

Answer 29

Coomb’s Test

Question 30

Condition resulting from incompatibility between maternal and fetal blood. In most cases the fetus is Rh-positive and the mother is Rh-negative.

Answer 30

Erythroblastosis Fetalis

Question 31

A pregnancy in which the woman is carrying 2 or more fetuses.

Answer 31

Multiple Gestation

Question 32

Infection of the breast during the postpartum period.

Answer 32

Mastitis

Question 33

Metal, curved blades that are applied to the fetal presenting part and pulled using traction to aid in the woman’s expulsion efforts.

Answer 33

Forcep Delivery

Question 34

Is a soft pliable cup placed on fetal head and uses suction to apply traction and aid in mother’s expulsion efforts.

Answer 34

Vacuum Extraction

Question 35

A surgical incision to the perineum to enlarge the vaginal opening.

Answer 35

Epsiotomy

Question 36

Surgical birth of the fetus through an incision in the abdominal wall and uterus.

Answer 36

Cesarean Birth

Question 37

Rupture of the amniotic sac prior to labor.

Answer 37

Premature rupture of membranes (PROM)

Question 38

Rupture of the amniotic sac prior to labor and a gestational age of less than 37 weeks.

Answer 38

Preterm Premature rupture of membranes (PPROM)

Question 39

The discharge during the first weeks following birth indicates the process of uterine lining healing and the amount gradually decreases over time

Answer 39

Lochia

Question 40

Infection of the amniotic sac.

Answer 40

Chorioamnionitis

Question 41

Characterized by a labor that does not result in the normal progression of dilatation, effacement, and fetal descent.

Answer 41

Dysfunctional Labor

Question 42

Decreased uterine muscle contraction; a primary cause of postpartum hemorrhage.

Answer 42

Uterine Atony

Question 43

Delayed return of the uterus to its nonpregnant size and consistency.

Answer 43

Subinvolution

Question 44

Changes that occur postpartum as the reproductive organs, particularly the uterus, return to their pre-pregnant size and condition.

Answer 44

Involution

Question 45

Bluish discoloration of the hands and feet caused by reduced peripheral circulation.

Answer 45

Acrocyanosis

Question 46

Screening test used to detect various conditions and identify those infants that may require further testing and follow up.

Answer 46

Newborn Screening

Question 47

Develops in infants born to mothers depended on opioids. Infants will display various physical symptoms while experiencing withdrawal.

Answer 47

Newborn Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)

Question 48

Corticosteroid that is given via injection to a pregnant women between 24-34 weeks when preterm birth is suspected of occurring. These corticosteroids speed up development of fetal lungs.

Answer 48

Antenatal Steroids

Question 49

A mixture of lipoproteins produced by mature fetal lungs that reduces the surface tension in the alveoli, thus promoting lung expansion at birth.

Answer 49

Surfactant