AFP - Alphafetoprotein. This is a substance present in the blood of pregnant women.
ALB - Albumin. This is a protein substance; your urine will be tested for this as it can be a sign of pre-eclampsia.
A/N - Antenatal
APH - Antepartum Haemorrhage. Bleeding before the birth.
BI - Blood
BP -blood Pressure
BR - Breech presentation. The baby is lying feet or bottom down.
Ceph - Cephalic. The baby is lying head down.
CS - Caesarean section
CTG - Baby's heartbeat tracing
Cx - Cervix. Neck of the womb.
EDD - Estimated Date of Delivery
EFW - Estimated Fetal Weight
Eng - Engaged. The largest part of the baby's head has passed the pelvic 'brim'.
Episiotomy - A cut made in the perineum (the skin between the vagina and the anus) to enable the baby to be born more quickly.
FBC - Full Blood Count
Fe - Iron has been prescribed.
Fetus - The medical term for the baby before it is born.
FH - Fetal Heart
FHH - Fetal Heart Heard
FHHR - Fetal Heart Heard & Regular
FM - Fetal movement
FMF - Fetal Movement Felt
Free - Head not yet in pelvis.
Fundus- This is the top of the uterus, the fundus height is the length between the top of the uterus and the pubic bone. This measurement helps date the pregnancy and asses the growth of the baby.
GBS - Group B Streptococcus. A type of infection.
Gest - Gestation. The number of weeks into pregnancy.
GTT - Glucose Tolerance Test. For diabetes.
Hb - Haemoglobin. An indication of iron levels in the blood. If this is too low it may indicate anaemia.
Hypertension - High blood pressure
Hypotension - Low blood pressure
LIE - This is the position of the baby in the uterus. Long Lie or LL means Longitudinal Lie, the baby is straight up and down.
LMP - Last Menstrual Period
Multigravida - A woman who has had at least one pregnancy.
Multipara/Mulitp - A woman who has given birth at least once before.
NAD - Nothing Abnormal Detected
NE - Not Engaged
Occipito Anterior - The back of the baby's head is towards your front. LOA is Left Occipito Anterior and ROA is Right Occipito Anterior this describes whether the back of the baby's head to towards the left or right.
Occipito Posterior - The back of the baby's head is towards your back. LOP and ROP describe the position as left or right.
Oed - Oedema. Fluid retention which causes swelling in your ankles, fingers and elsewhere.
Palpation- The midwife or doctor feels the baby by moving their hands over your abdomen.
PIH - Pregnancy induced hypertension
PIH/PET - Pre-eclampsia
Placenta praevia - When the placenta is low down sometimes it covers the cervix and blocks the baby's exit.
Presentation - The position of the baby, with reference to the presenting part, that is the body part that will be born first (usually the vertex or the back of the head).
Primigravida- A woman pregnant for the first time.
Primapara - Sometimes called 'Prim' or 'primip' meaning a woman giving birth for the first time
Prot. - Protein
Quickening - The first time you feel the baby moving.
Rh - Rhesus factor
RSA - Right Sacrum Anterior. The most common breech position.
Sug. - Sugar
Suture - The spaces between the bones in the baby's head
Tr - Trace. Avery small amount.
US - Ultrasound Scan
UTI - Urinary Tract Infection
VE/PV - Vaginal Examination. Internal.
Ventouse - Vacum Extraction
VX - Vertex. The crown of the baby's head.