PGIM MD ObGyn key terms

A pregnancy-specific disorder, usually after 20 weeks, defined by new hypertension with proteinuria or maternal organ dysfunction. It reflects widespread endothelial injury and can progress to seizures, stroke, liver rupture, or fetal compromise.

New-onset tonic-clonic seizures in a pregnant or recently delivered woman with pre-eclampsia, after other causes are excluded. It is an obstetric emergency treated with magnesium sulphate, airway support, blood-pressure control, and timely delivery.

A severe variant of pre-eclampsia characterised by haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count. It may occur with only mildly raised blood pressure and causes right-upper-quadrant pain, bleeding risk, and liver rupture; urgent delivery is usually required.

A condition where the placenta lies over or very close to the internal cervical os. It can cause painless antepartum bleeding and may make vaginal delivery unsafe, so caesarean section is often needed.

Premature separation of a normally implanted placenta before delivery. It presents with painful vaginal bleeding, a tense uterus, and fetal distress, and can cause maternal shock and coagulopathy.

Glucose intolerance first recognised during pregnancy. It increases risks of macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, pre-eclampsia, and neonatal hypoglycaemia, and is managed with diet, glucose monitoring, and sometimes insulin.

Excessive bleeding after birth, commonly defined as at least 500 mL after vaginal delivery or 1000 mL after caesarean, or any loss causing haemodynamic instability. Causes include uterine atony, retained tissue, genital trauma, and coagulopathy.

Failure to deliver the fetal shoulders after the head has emerged, despite routine gentle downward traction. It is an obstetric emergency requiring manoeuvres to free the anterior shoulder and avoid brachial plexus injury or fetal hypoxia.

Descent of the umbilical cord past the presenting fetal part after membrane rupture. Cord compression quickly causes fetal hypoxia, so the examiner should elevate the presenting part and arrange immediate delivery, often by caesarean.

A lower-than-expected volume of amniotic fluid, often defined as an amniotic fluid index of 5 cm or less, or a deepest vertical pocket of 2 cm or less. It may reflect fetal renal problems, membrane rupture, or placental insufficiency.

An excessive volume of amniotic fluid, commonly defined as an amniotic fluid index of 24 cm or more, or a deepest vertical pocket of 8 cm or more. Causes include diabetes, fetal swallowing problems, and multiple pregnancy.

A fetus that fails to reach its expected growth potential, often estimated as weight below the 10th centile for gestational age, with abnormal umbilical artery Doppler or other signs of placental insufficiency.

A cervical assessment used before induction of labour. It scores dilatation, effacement, consistency, position, and fetal station; a higher score predicts a more favourable cervix and greater likelihood of successful vaginal delivery.

A continuous recording of fetal heart rate and uterine contractions, used to assess fetal wellbeing during pregnancy and labour. Clinicians interpret baseline rate, variability, accelerations, and decelerations to detect hypoxia.

A drug given intravenously to prevent or treat eclamptic seizures and to provide fetal neuroprotection in preterm birth. Toxicity can cause loss of reflexes, respiratory depression, and cardiac arrest, so monitoring is essential.

An antibody preparation given to RhD-negative pregnant women after potentially sensitising events, and routinely in the third trimester, to prevent maternal formation of anti-D antibodies that could cause haemolytic disease in a future baby.

Rupture of the fetal membranes before 37 weeks' gestation and before labour begins. It risks infection, cord prolapse, and preterm birth; management balances antibiotics, steroid administration, and the timing of delivery.

Infection of the chorion, amnion, and amniotic fluid, usually ascending from the vagina. It causes maternal fever, uterine tenderness, and fetal tachycardia, and increases the risk of preterm labour and neonatal sepsis.

A full-thickness tear of the uterine wall, most often during labour in a scarred uterus. It causes sudden severe pain, abnormal fetal heart rate, loss of station, and maternal shock; immediate laparotomy and delivery are required.

Fetal blood vessels running through the membranes over the cervix, unprotected by placental tissue or cord. Rupture of membranes can tear them, causing rapid fetal exsanguination; diagnosis before labour allows planned caesarean delivery.

Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding that interferes with daily life or causes anaemia. Common causes include fibroids, adenomyosis, coagulopathy, and ovulatory dysfunction; assessment includes history, examination, ultrasound, and sometimes endometrial biopsy.

Painful menstruation, often cramping in the lower abdomen. Primary dysmenorrhoea has no pelvic pathology and responds to NSAIDs or hormonal contraception; secondary dysmenorrhoea suggests conditions such as endometriosis or adenomyosis.

Presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterine cavity, causing cyclic pain, dyspareunia, and infertility. Diagnosis is often clinical, though laparoscopy is the reference standard; treatment includes analgesia, hormones, and surgery.

Endometrial tissue within the myometrium, producing a bulky, tender uterus with heavy painful periods. It is diagnosed by ultrasound or MRI and can be treated with hormonal methods, tranexamic acid, or hysterectomy.

Benign smooth-muscle tumours of the uterus, also called leiomyomas. They may cause heavy bleeding, pain, pressure symptoms, and infertility, and treatment ranges from observation to hormonal therapy, embolisation, or surgery.

A common endocrine disorder with irregular ovulation, excess androgens, and polycystic ovaries. It causes oligomenorrhoea, hirsutism, and infertility, and is associated with insulin resistance, obesity, and endometrial hyperplasia.

Loss of ovarian function before age 40, causing amenorrhoea, infertility, and oestrogen deficiency. Diagnosis requires raised gonadotrophins; management includes hormone replacement to protect bone and cardiovascular health and fertility counselling.

Intrauterine adhesions, usually after uterine surgery or infection, causing reduced menstruation, infertility, or recurrent miscarriage. Diagnosis is by hysteroscopy, and treatment involves adhesiolysis followed by measures to prevent re-formation.

Pre-invasive squamous change of the cervix caused by persistent high-risk human papillomavirus infection. Grades range from CIN1 to CIN3; higher grades are treated, usually by excision, to prevent progression to cervical cancer.

Magnified examination of the cervix after applying acetic acid or iodine to identify abnormal areas. It guides biopsy and treatment of cervical precancer; the transformation zone is the key area assessed.

Loop electrosurgical excision procedure, also called LEEP, removes the cervical transformation zone with a thin wire loop under local anaesthesia. It treats high-grade cervical precancer while providing a specimen for histology.

Thickening of the endometrial lining from excess oestrogen without adequate progesterone. It may cause abnormal bleeding and, in atypical forms, can progress to endometrial cancer; diagnosis needs endometrial sampling.

Implantation of a pregnancy outside the uterine cavity, most often in a fallopian tube. It can cause pain, bleeding, and rupture with internal haemorrhage; diagnosis uses serial hCG and ultrasound, and treatment may be medical or surgical.

Infection of the upper female genital tract, often from sexually transmitted organisms such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea. It causes pelvic pain, fever, and discharge, and can lead to tubal damage, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy.

A common vaginal dysbiosis with reduced lactobacilli and overgrowth of anaerobes, causing thin grey discharge and a fishy odour. It is diagnosed by Amsel criteria or Nugent scoring and treated with metronidazole or clindamycin.

A chronic inflammatory skin condition of the vulva causing white, thin, itchy plaques and scarring that can distort anatomy. It needs potent topical steroids and long-term review because a small proportion develops vulval cancer.

Vulvovaginal and urinary symptoms caused by oestrogen deficiency after menopause, including dryness, burning, dyspareunia, and recurrent urinary infections. Treatment includes vaginal moisturisers, lubricants, and low-dose vaginal oestrogen.

A contraceptive containing an oestrogen and a progestogen, taken daily. It prevents ovulation and thickens cervical mucus; it also reduces menstrual bleeding and dysmenorrhoea but carries venous thromboembolism risk.

A small device placed inside the uterus for contraception. Copper devices are toxic to sperm, while levonorgestrel-releasing devices thicken cervical mucus and thin the endometrium; risks include expulsion, perforation, and infection at insertion.

Twisting of the ovary and its pedicle, cutting off venous and then arterial blood flow. It causes sudden severe unilateral pelvic pain, nausea, and vomiting; urgent laparoscopy is needed to detorse and preserve the ovary.