UKOM SpOG key terms

An ultrasound performed usually between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation to confirm viability, count fetuses, establish gestational age from crown-rump length, and estimate the delivery date more accurately than the last menstrual period.

The measurement of the embryo or fetus from the top of the head to the base of the buttocks, used in the first trimester as the most reliable single indicator of gestational age.

The calculated expected day of birth, conventionally 40 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period and adjusted when an early ultrasound gives a different gestational age.

A fluid-filled space behind the fetal neck measured by ultrasound at 11 to 14 weeks; increased thickness raises the likelihood of chromosomal anomaly, cardiac defect, and other structural problems.

First-trimester aneuploidy screening that combines maternal age, nuchal translucency, and maternal serum markers, typically free beta-hCG and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A, to estimate risk of trisomy 21 and 18.

A maternal blood test that analyses circulating placental DNA fragments to estimate the probability of common trisomies; it is a screening test, so a high-risk result requires diagnostic confirmation by invasive sampling.

A diagnostic procedure in which a needle is passed through the abdominal wall into the amniotic sac, usually after 15 weeks, to obtain fetal cells for karyotype, microarray, or infection studies.

A diagnostic procedure that samples placental villi, usually between 11 and 14 weeks, either transabdominally or transcervically, giving earlier karyotype results than amniocentesis but with a slightly higher risk of pregnancy loss.

Maternal production of antibodies against fetal red blood cells carrying the Rhesus D antigen after sensitising exposure, which can cause fetal anaemia, hydrops, and haemolytic disease of the newborn.

Passive antibody given to Rhesus-negative women without anti-D antibodies after potentially sensitising events and routinely in the third trimester to prevent Rhesus alloimmunisation.

A Doppler measurement of fetal cerebral blood flow used to detect fetal anaemia non-invasively; rising velocity indicates falling blood viscosity and warrants consideration of cordocentesis or intrauterine transfusion.

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in at least two fetal compartments, such as ascites, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, or skin oedema, caused by immune or non-immune conditions including anaemia, infection, and cardiac failure.

A pregnancy-specific disorder defined by new hypertension after 20 weeks with proteinuria or other maternal organ dysfunction, reflecting widespread endothelial injury and carrying risks of seizure, stroke, and placental insufficiency.

A severe variant of pre-eclampsia characterised by haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets, often presenting with right upper quadrant pain, nausea, and malaise rather than marked hypertension.

The occurrence of generalised seizures in a woman with pre-eclampsia, in the absence of another neurological cause; it is a maternal emergency requiring airway support, magnesium sulfate, and timely delivery.

The drug of choice for preventing and treating eclamptic seizures; it is given intravenously with loading and maintenance doses and requires monitoring of reflexes, respiratory rate, urine output, and serum levels.

Doppler assessment of uterine artery flow, usually at the second-trimester scan; persistent high resistance with notching identifies pregnancies at increased risk of pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction.

Failure of a fetus to achieve its genetically determined growth potential, often identified by estimated fetal weight below the tenth centile with abnormal Doppler or growth trajectory, and associated with stillbirth and neonatal morbidity.

A descriptive classification for a fetus or newborn whose estimated or actual weight lies below the tenth centile for gestational age; many such fetuses are constitutionally small rather than pathologically growth restricted.

Doppler interrogation of umbilical artery waveforms used in growth-restricted fetuses; absent or reversed end-diastolic flow signals worsening placental insufficiency and prompts intensified surveillance or delivery.

Continuous electronic recording of fetal heart rate together with uterine contractions, interpreted by baseline rate, variability, accelerations, and decelerations to assess fetal oxygenation during labour.

A second-line intrapartum test in which a capillary blood sample from the fetal scalp is analysed for pH or lactate to clarify an abnormal cardiotocogram and guide the decision to continue or expedite delivery.

Artificial initiation of uterine contractions before spontaneous onset to achieve vaginal birth, undertaken for maternal or fetal indications such as post-term pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, or ruptured membranes.

A cervical assessment scoring dilatation, effacement, consistency, position, and fetal station to predict the likelihood of successful induction; a low score indicates an unfavourable cervix needing ripening.

The use of drugs such as calcium channel blockers or oxytocin receptor antagonists to suppress uterine contractions temporarily, for example to allow antenatal corticosteroid administration or in-utero transfer.

Betamethasone or dexamethasone given to women at risk of preterm birth before 34 to 36 weeks to accelerate fetal lung maturation and reduce respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular haemorrhage, and neonatal death.

Birth occurring before 37 completed weeks of gestation; it is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity and may follow spontaneous labour, preterm rupture of membranes, or medically indicated delivery.

A suture placed around the cervix to reinforce it in women with cervical insufficiency or a history of mid-trimester loss, typically inserted electively at 12 to 14 weeks or urgently after cervical shortening.

A vaginal birth in which the fetal head has delivered but the shoulders fail to follow with routine traction, requiring manoeuvres such as McRoberts positioning and suprapubic pressure to avoid brachial plexus injury and hypoxia.

Bleeding of 500 mL or more after vaginal birth or 1000 mL or more after caesarean birth, or any bleeding causing haemodynamic compromise; uterine atony is the commonest cause and is managed with uterotonics and resuscitation.

Failure of the myometrium to contract and retract after delivery of the placenta, leaving placental vessels open; it is the most frequent cause of postpartum haemorrhage and is treated with massage and uterotonic drugs.

Failure to deliver the placenta within a defined interval after birth, commonly 30 minutes, which may result from abnormal adherence, trapped placenta, or uterine atony and risks haemorrhage and infection.

Abnormal adherence or invasion of placental tissue into the myometrium or beyond, usually after previous caesarean scar, causing massive haemorrhage at attempted placental separation and often requiring caesarean hysterectomy.

Infection of the genital tract or its contents occurring during labour or the puerperium, presenting with fever, pelvic pain, and offensive lochia and requiring prompt broad-spectrum antibiotics and source control.

Infection of the uterine lining after delivery or instrumentation, producing fever, lower abdominal tenderness, and abnormal discharge, typically managed with intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics covering anaerobes.

Painful inflammation of the breast during lactation, often with fever and a tender red segment, treated with continued milk drainage, analgesia, and antibiotics when bacterial infection is suspected.

Population testing of the cervix, usually by liquid-based cytology or human papillomavirus testing, to detect pre-invasive change and treat high-grade lesions before they progress to cervical cancer.

Pre-invasive squamous abnormality of the cervical transformation zone graded by the proportion of epithelium involved; high-grade lesions are treated because they can progress to invasive carcinoma.

A common sexually transmitted virus whose high-risk oncogenic types, particularly 16 and 18, are the principal cause of cervical cancer; vaccination and screening are the main preventive strategies.

Magnified examination of the cervix after application of acetic acid and iodine, used to localise abnormal epithelium, direct biopsy, and plan treatment of suspected pre-invasive or invasive disease.

Infection ascending from the lower genital tract to the uterus, tubes, and peritoneum, causing pelvic pain, fever, and risk of tubal damage with infertility and ectopic pregnancy; empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics are started promptly.

Implantation of a pregnancy outside the uterine cavity, most often in the fallopian tube, presenting with pain and bleeding and managed surgically or medically according to stability and size.

A common endocrine disorder diagnosed by ovulatory dysfunction, clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovarian morphology, associated with insulin resistance, infertility, and endometrial hyperplasia.

Failure of the ovary to release an oocyte, producing irregular or absent menstruation and infertility; causes include polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid disease, hyperprolactinaemia, and hypothalamic suppression.

Treatment with agents such as clomiphene citrate, letrozole, or gonadotrophins to restore regular ovulation in anovulatory women, requiring monitoring to avoid multiple pregnancy and ovarian hyperstimulation.

An iatrogenic complication of gonadotrophin stimulation causing ovarian enlargement, capillary leak, ascites, and haemoconcentration, ranging from mild discomfort to thrombosis, renal failure, and respiratory compromise.

Infertility caused by obstruction or damage of the fallopian tubes, often after pelvic infection or surgery, preventing gamete transport; treatment usually requires assisted conception such as in-vitro fertilisation.

Overgrowth of the endometrial glands relative to stroma, usually from unopposed oestrogen; it causes abnormal bleeding and, when atypical, carries a significant risk of progression to endometrial carcinoma.

Any vaginal bleeding after the final menstrual period in a woman not on hormone therapy; it requires investigation because a proportion of cases are due to endometrial carcinoma.

Ultrasound imaging with a probe placed in the vagina, giving high-resolution views of the uterus, ovaries, and early pregnancy and used to measure endometrial thickness and assess adnexal masses.

Involuntary leakage of urine on effort, coughing, or sneezing due to urethral sphincter weakness or hypermobility; pelvic floor muscle training is first-line therapy and surgery is offered after conservative measures fail.

A symptom syndrome of urgency, usually with frequency and nocturia, with or without urge incontinence, in the absence of urinary tract infection; treatment begins with bladder training and antimuscarinic or beta-3 agonist drugs.

Descent of the anterior vaginal wall, posterior vaginal wall, uterus, or vaginal vault beyond its normal position, often after vaginal birth, presenting as a bulge, pressure, and associated bladder or bowel symptoms.

Laboratory investigation of bladder and urethral function using filling cystometry and pressure-flow studies to distinguish stress incontinence, detrusor overactivity, and voiding dysfunction before surgery.