ABPS Family Medicine Obstetrics key terms

A pregnancy-specific disorder characterized by new-onset hypertension and proteinuria or other end-organ dysfunction after 20 weeks of gestation, which can progress to severe maternal and fetal complications.

A severe variant of preeclampsia defined by Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelets, often presenting with right upper quadrant pain and requiring urgent delivery.

The occurrence of generalized tonic-clonic seizures in a pregnant or postpartum woman with preeclampsia, not attributable to other causes, representing a life-threatening obstetric emergency.

New-onset hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation without proteinuria or other features of preeclampsia, which may progress to preeclampsia and requires close monitoring.

Hypertension that is present before pregnancy, diagnosed before 20 weeks of gestation, or persists beyond 12 weeks postpartum, requiring baseline evaluation and medication review.

A medication used for seizure prophylaxis in preeclampsia and treatment of eclamptic seizures, administered intravenously with monitoring for toxicity such as loss of deep tendon reflexes and respiratory depression.

Glucose intolerance first recognized during pregnancy, associated with increased risk of macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, and neonatal hypoglycemia, managed with diet, exercise, and sometimes insulin.

A condition of excessive fetal growth, often defined as estimated fetal weight greater than 4,000 to 4,500 grams, increasing the risk of operative delivery and birth trauma.

A delivery emergency in which the fetal anterior shoulder becomes impacted behind the maternal pubic symphysis after the head delivers, requiring specific maneuvers to prevent brachial plexus injury and hypoxia.

A first-line maneuver for shoulder dystocia involving hyperflexion of the mother's hips against her abdomen to rotate the fetal shoulders and relieve impaction.

Excessive bleeding after childbirth, commonly defined as blood loss greater than 500 mL after vaginal delivery or 1,000 mL after cesarean, or any loss causing hemodynamic instability.

Failure of the uterus to contract effectively after delivery, the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage, managed with uterine massage and uterotonic medications.

A silicone balloon inserted into the uterine cavity and inflated with fluid to apply tamponade and control postpartum hemorrhage when uterotonics and massage are insufficient.

Rupture of the fetal membranes before 37 weeks of gestation and before the onset of labor, increasing risks of infection, cord prolapse, and preterm birth.

Betamethasone or dexamethasone administered to women at risk of preterm delivery between 24 and 34 weeks to accelerate fetal lung maturity and reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Regular uterine contractions with cervical change occurring before 37 weeks of gestation, managed with tocolytics, corticosteroids, and magnesium sulfate for neuroprotection.

Administration of intravenous penicillin or ampicillin during labor to women colonized with group B Streptococcus to prevent early-onset neonatal sepsis.

The age of a fetus calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period, typically confirmed by first-trimester ultrasound, and used to guide prenatal care and delivery timing.

An ultrasound measurement of the fluid-filled space at the back of the fetal neck between 11 and 14 weeks, used in screening for aneuploidy and structural anomalies.

A noninvasive prenatal screening test that analyzes placental DNA in maternal blood to estimate the risk of common fetal aneuploidies such as trisomy 21, 18, and 13.

A prenatal diagnostic procedure in which a needle is inserted through the abdominal wall into the amniotic sac to obtain fluid for genetic testing or to assess fetal lung maturity.

A prenatal diagnostic procedure performed between 10 and 13 weeks of gestation in which placental tissue is sampled, usually transabdominally or transcervically, for genetic analysis.

Any agent, such as a medication, infection, or environmental exposure, that can cause structural or functional abnormalities in a developing fetus when exposure occurs during pregnancy.

A pattern of birth defects, including nasal hypoplasia and stippled epiphyses, caused by maternal warfarin exposure during the first trimester, so warfarin is avoided in pregnancy.

A highly teratogenic retinoid used for severe acne that causes craniofacial, cardiac, and central nervous system defects, requiring strict pregnancy prevention programs for women of reproductive age.

An anticoagulant that does not cross the placenta and is preferred over warfarin for treating and preventing venous thromboembolism during pregnancy.

The formation of a blood clot in a deep vein or its embolization to the lungs, occurring at increased frequency during pregnancy and the postpartum period due to hypercoagulability.

Maternal antibody production against fetal Rh-positive red blood cells, which can cause hemolytic disease of the newborn, prevented by administering anti-D immune globulin.

An injection of antibodies given to Rh-negative pregnant women to prevent sensitization to Rh-positive fetal blood cells and subsequent hemolytic disease of the newborn.

Use of forceps or vacuum extractor to assist vaginal birth, indicated for prolonged second stage, fetal distress, or maternal exhaustion, with specific prerequisites and risks.

Surgical birth of a fetus through incisions in the maternal abdomen and uterus, performed for fetal or maternal indications, with risks including infection, hemorrhage, and thromboembolism.

A planned attempt at vaginal delivery in a woman with a prior cesarean birth, requiring counseling about the risk of uterine rupture and appropriate monitoring.

A tear through the uterine wall, often at a prior cesarean scar, presenting with fetal heart rate abnormalities, abdominal pain, and loss of station, requiring emergency laparotomy.

Infection of the uterine lining after delivery, typically presenting with fever, uterine tenderness, and foul lochia, treated with broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics.

Inflammation of the breast during breastfeeding, often with infection, causing pain, redness, and fever, managed with continued milk removal and antibiotics when bacterial infection is suspected.

The process of obtaining a patient's voluntary agreement to a medical intervention after providing information about risks, benefits, alternatives, and the right to refuse.

A collaborative process in which clinicians and patients discuss treatment options, evidence, and patient values to reach an informed healthcare decision together.