An index of abbreviations and terminology that may provoke glassy eyed blank stares in the uninitiated...
AFE
amniotic fluid embolus
AFI
amniotic fluid index
AFV
amniotic fluid volume
AMA
advanced maternal age
any women 40 years and over at time of birth
ARM
artificial rupture of membranes
CPD
Cephalopelvic disproportion
baby’s head or body is too large to fit through the mother’s pelvis. Can be secondary to macrosomia, small or abnormally shaped maternal pelvis or foetal malposition. CPD itself is rare, but can be a cause for failure to progress (FTP). Due to the increased risks related to obstructed labour and shoulder dystocia and post partum haemorrhage, women with CPD require an caesarean section.
CVS
chorionic villus sampling
ECV
external cephalic version
EDC
Estimated Date of Confinement (due date)
EFM
electronic foetal monitoring
EFW
estimated foetal weight
EPL
early pregnancy loss
spontaneous, incomplete, and missed miscarriage
EXIT
ex utero intrapartum treatment
FBS
foetal blood sample
FH
Fundal height
FSE
foetal scalp electrode
FWB
Foetal well-being
GDM
gestational diabetes mellitus
GTP
gestational thrombocytopenia of pregnancy
HELLP
haemolytic anaemia, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets
Heterotopic pregnancy
Simultaneous occurrence of an ectopic and an intrauterine pregnancy.
1:30,000 of spontaneous pregnancies. Increased in IVF pregnancy 0.2 - 3%
IUGR
intrauterine growth restriction/retardation
IUFD
intrauterine foetal death
LGA
large for gestation age
LMP
last menstrual period
LOA
left occipital anterior
LOP
Left occipital posterior
LOT
Left occiput transverse
Longitudinal lie
baby’s spine parallel to mother’s spine, called longitudinal lie
MAS
meconium aspiration syndrome
MCDA
A type of twin pregnancy
PIH
pregnancy-induced hypertension
PMCS
peri-mortum caesarean section
SFG
small for gestational age
SFH
symphyseal fundal height
STAN
ST analysis of the foetal ECG
SVD / SVB
spontaneous vaginal delivery / birth
UA
umbilical artery
VBAC
vaginal delivery after caesarean section
RHW Anaesthesia 