Obstetrics
Definition of Obstetrics

Branch of medicine dealing with the
pregnant woman during pregnancy, child
birth and period following birth
Word Parts
Word
Combining
root
form
Obstetric Obstetr/ic
Meaning
midwife
Semen

Mixture of sperm & secretions in seminal
vesicles

Insemination – deposit of semen in the
female reproductive tract
Artificial Insemination

Semen is inserted into uterus via a
cannula instead of coitus

AI (AIH) by husband

AI (AID) by donor
Word parts
Word
root
Semin
Combinin Meaning
g form
semin/ i
liquid secretion of the
testicles and glands
Sperm
sperm/o,
sperm cells or spermatozoa,
spermat/o, ejaculated from the male
sprem/i
Act 1
Fertilisation

Is the union of sperm and ovum

Fertilised ovum is called zygote

Zygote travels down fallopian tube to
endometrium where it implants itself
Foetus development

Embryo – developing human during first 2
months
- embryonic membranes form
which protect & nourish
the embryo

Foetus – developing human after the
second month
- amniotic membrane forms surrounds foetus
and is filled with amniotic fluid
- amniotic fluid is a shock absorber for the foetus
Placenta

Develops between the embryo and endometrium

Exchanges nutrients and waste between mother
and foetus

Also secretes hormones to maintain pregnancy
Word parts
Word
root
Foet
Combining
form
Foet/o
Meaning
Placent
Placent/o
flat cake
an unborn baby
Terms related to placenta

Adherent placenta – placenta is fused to uterine
wall

Retained placenta – placenta is not expelled

Placenta praevia – placenta forms abnormally in
lower part of uterus over the internal opening of
the cervix
Act 3
Umbilical cord

Connects foetus to placenta

Transports blood and nutrients to the
foetus
Gestation

Period of time embryo and foetus is
carried in uterus

Usually 280 days
Word parts
Word
root
Combining Meaning
form
Gravida
-gravida
relates to pregnancies
Para
-para
Toc
toc/o, -tocia
number of previous pregnancies
resulting in a live infant
birth, labour
Nat
nat/o
birth
Antenatal

Period from conception to birth

3 trimesters – 3 months each
Labour and Delivery

Parturition refers to birth

Labour is period preceding birth

Uterine contractions are called eutocia

Syntoconon is a drug to induce uterine
contractions
Stages of labour
1.
Dilation – onset of labour to full dilation of 10
cm
2.
Expulsion – full dilation to delivery
3.
Placental – delivery of placenta and occurs a
few minutes after birth
Foetus during labour

Lies in a lateral position in uterus

Engagement – when head moves down into
cervix

Presentation – part of foetus that is touched by
examining finger through the cervix
Puerperium

Period 6 – 8 weeks following birth

Reproductive system reverts to pre
pregnant state
Definitions

Post partum haemorrhage – excessive bleeding from
birth canal

Eclampsia – sudden convulsion due to toxaemia of
pregnancy

Stillbirth – foetus is born dead

Congenital – present at time of birth

Caesarian section – delivery by surgical excision into
abdominal wall
Forceps – surgical instruments used to help delivery Act 4

Mammary Glands

Function is milk secretion i.e. lactation

Ducts convey milk from lobes to the
exterior

The circular pigmented area surrounding
the nipple is known as the areola
Word parts
Word
root
Mast
Combining
form
mast/o
Meaning
Mamm
mamm/o
breast
Lact
lact/o, lact/i
milk
Galact
galact/o
milk
breast
Abbreviations
ARM
CTG
DOB
EDC/D
EDD
EP
FDIU
FECG
Artificial Rupture of Membranes
cardiotocograph
date of birth
estimated date of confinement / delivery
estimated date of delivery
ectopic pregnancy
foetal distress in utero
foetal electrocardiograph
Abbreviations
FHR
HDN
IUD
LSCS
NB
PET
PPH
PROM
PV
foetal heart rate
haemolytic disease of the newborn
intrauterine device
lower section caesarian section
newborn
pre- eclamptic toxaemia
postpartum haemorrhage
premature rupture of membranes
per vagina
Abbreviations
Apgar score
method of assessing general state of baby at
birth.Appearance (colour); Pulse(heart rate);
Grimace( response to slap); Respiration
(breathing)
epesi/o
gravida
multigravida
multipara
pubic region,vulvo
a pregnant woman
at least 2 pregnancies
given birth to 2 or more children
nulligravida
para
having never been pregnant
to bear
primigravida
first pregnancy
primipara
first delivery
Miscarriage

Expulsion of products of conception before
20 weeks
Conditions and Terms
cervical incompetence
abnormal weakness of the cervix; can
lead to recurrent miscarriages
ectopic pregnancy
pregnancy outside of uterus usually in
fallopian tubes
placenta praevia
placenta situated near the cervix
pre - eclampsia
condition in which hypertension,
oedema, and proteinuria developing
during 2nd half of pregnancy