Glossary of Clinical Terms
Do you have abbreviations in your maternity notes that you don't understand? It's common for healthcare professionals to write in shorthand as a means to communicate with each other and inadvertently leave you feeling confused. Here is the most commonly used acronyms, abbreviations and shorthands that you may come across.
ARM = Artificial Rupture of Membranes
Is the act of "breaking your waters", this is carried out by your Midwife or Obstetrician using a long plastic instrument when attempting to expedite your labour or to check on the wellbeing of your baby.
BPM=Beats per minute
How many heartbeats occurring within a full minute. Note your baby's heart rate will be considerably higher than adults/yours, this is normal.
BMI = Body Mass Index
A value derived using weight and height to ascertain and determine if an individual is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.
CTG = Cardiotocograph
Machine used to monitor your baby's heart rate inside the womb. This device is used in labour when risk factors are present or to confirm normality antenatally/before birth.
D&C = Dilation and curettage
A surgical procedure to remove tissue from the womb.
DCC = Delayed Cord Clamping
This means to leave the cord to finish pulsating after birth before clamping and cutting.
EBL = Estimated Blood Loss
How much blood is estimated to have been lost and is used in combination with weighing soaked swabs.
EDD = Estimated Due Date
When your baby is estimated to be born.
FBC = Full Blood Count
A blood test to check for any abnormalities in the blood.
FBS = Fetal Blood Sampling
A blood sample taken from a baby whilst still in the womb aseptically via the vagina to identify if your baby is/or becoming compromised of oxygen.
FGM = Female Genital Mutilation
When female genitalia is cut, injured or altered for no medical reason.
FH = Fundal Height
The measurement from the top of your bump to your pubic bone, usually measured at each antenatal appointment after 22 -24 weeks in.
FHR = Fetal Heart rate
Your baby's heart rate, in minutes, when still inside your womb
FTP = Failure to Progress
An insensitive term that refers to when contractions have slowed down in labour for a number of reason. This term can also mean Full Term Pregnancy.
G = Gravida
How many pregnancies you've had, including the current one.
GBS = Group B Strep
Is a type of streptococcal bacteria that usually lives inside the rectum and vagina.
GDM = Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes that develop in pregnancy and can lead to high levels of glucose in the blood.
Grand Multip = Grand Multiparous
Having 4 or more previous children.
IOL = Induction of Labour
To bring about your labour artificially using physical or medical means (see Inductions blog for further information).
IV = Intravenous
A technique that delivers a liquid directly into a vein usually on the arm or hand.
IUGR = Intrauterine Growth Restriction
A baby is growing sub-optimally inside the womb.
Labour Augmentation
To establish and maintain womb contractions/labour using synthetic oxytocin.
LMP = Last Menstrual Period
The first date of your last period
LOA = Left Occiput Anterior
A baby's position inside the womb, is thought to be an optimal position for birth; their back is on the mother's lefthand side, and facing towards the right of her pelvis.
LOP = Left Occiput Posterior
A baby's position inside the womb, is thought to be a less optimal position for birth; your baby's head is down and facing their mother's front and facing the their mother's right thigh.
Liquor
Whats is discharge prior to birth, usually amniotic fluid with mucus.
Lochia
What is discharged from the vagina after giving birth, such as blood, mucus, and uterine tissue lasting up to 6 weeks progressively getting less.
MEC = Meconium
The thick blackish-green substance that lines your babies intestines and is passed sometimes in labour and after birth.
Mulitp = Multiparous
Having had previous children.
MSU = Mid Stream Urine
Urine sample that is taken mid flow. This is because the beginning of the stream can be contaminated.
NBBS = Newborn Blood Spot
A test carried out around day 5-8 on baby involving taking a blood sample using an automated lancet to make a small puncture on the side of the baby's heel. Small drops of blood is collected on a card that is sent for screening for the following rare congenital and metabolic disorders;
Cystic fibrosis
Congenital hypothyroidism
Inherited metabolic diseases (6 conditions)
Sickle cell disease
NT = Nuchal translucency Scan
Also known as a "12 week scan" which is offered to screen for Down's, Edwards and Patau's syndrome. It involves a blood test and measuring the fluid at the back of the baby's neck (nuchal translucency) with an ultrasound scan.
NNU = Neonatal Unit
The highest level of care in hospitals for babies.
OA = Occiput Anterior
A baby's position inside the womb, is thought to be an optimal position for birth; their head is down and the body facing towards the mother's back.
OP = Occiput Posterior
A baby's position inside the womb, is thought to be a less optimal position for birth; your baby's head is down, but it is facing the mother's front and can take longer for the baby to get through the pelvis. A.K.A "back-to-back".
P = Parity
The number of previous births over 24 weeks
PPH = Post Partum haemorrhage
Excessive bleeding after birth of more 500ml in the first 24 hours
Primip = Primparous
A first pregnancy.
PPROM = Prolonged Premature Rupture of Membranes
When your waters break naturally by themselves before the 37th week of pregnancy and contractions have not commenced 18-24 hours since.
PROM = Premature Rupture of membranes or Prolonged Rupture of Membranes
When your waters break naturally by themselves before the 37th week of pregnancy. This can sometimes mean when your waters break naturally by themselves before the 37th week of pregnancy and contractions have not commenced 18-24 hours since.
RFM = Reduced Fetal Movement
When your baby's movement is felt less than usual or what is normal to you/them.
ROA = Right Occiput Anterior
A baby's position inside the womb, is thought to be an optimal position for birth; their back is on the mother's righthand side, and facing towards the left of her pelvis.
ROP = Right Occiput Posterior
A baby's position inside the womb, is thought to be a less optimal position for birth; your baby's head is down and facing their mother's front and facing the their mother's left thigh.
SCBU = Special Care Baby Unit
A unit within hospitals that look after babies needing more than the usual level of care.
SGA = Small for Gestational Age
When a baby is less developed than the norm for their gestation/age.
SROM = Spontaneous Rupture of Membranes
When your waters break naturally at or after the 37th week of pregnancy.
STD = Sexually Transmitted Disease A.K.A STI Sexually Transmitted Infection
Infections and viruses that are spread via sexual intercourse, but not always.
USS = Ultrasound Scan
A procedure involving high-frequency sound waves that creates an image of inside the body to monitor an unborn baby, help screen, or guide certain procedures.
VBAC = Vaginal Birth After Caesarean
Is exactly as it sounds, to have a baby vaginally after previously having a Caesarean section.
VE = Vaginal Examination
A physical examination your Midwife or Doctor will offer you to assess your labour. They will attempt to ascertain how far your baby has come down, how dilated you are and progress in labour. Consent is required.
40+6 / 35+5 / 16 + 2
These numbers relate to the weeks and days of your pregnancy. The number before the + is your weeks and the numbers after refer to the days. So 40 + 6 means your 40 weeks pregnant and 6 days.