Gravidity and parity

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In the realm of obstetrics and gynecology, gravidity and parity are two fundamental concepts that are used to describe the obstetric history of a woman. Gravidity refers to the number of times a woman has been pregnant, regardless of the pregnancy outcome. Parity, on the other hand, pertains to the number of pregnancies carried to a viable gestational age, irrespective of whether the fetus was born alive or not. These terms provide essential information about a woman's health history, particularly in relation to pregnancy and childbirth.

Gravidity[edit | edit source]

Gravidity is an obstetric term that represents the total number of confirmed pregnancies a woman has had, regardless of whether these pregnancies were carried to term. A woman who has never been pregnant is referred to as a gravida 0 or nulligravida. A woman who is (or has been) only pregnant for the first time is referred to as a primigravida, and a woman who has been pregnant more than once is known as a multigravida.

Definitions of Gravidity[edit | edit source]

  • Nulligravida: A woman who has never been pregnant.
  • Primigravida: A woman who is pregnant for the first time or has been pregnant once.
  • Multigravida: A woman who has been pregnant more than once.

Parity[edit | edit source]

Parity is an indicator of the number of pregnancies a woman has carried to a viable gestational age (typically 24 weeks). Parity includes both live births and stillbirths. A woman who has not carried a pregnancy beyond 20 weeks is referred to as nulliparous. A woman who has given birth once is primiparous, and a woman who has given birth two or more times is multiparous.

Definitions of Parity[edit | edit source]

  • Nulliparous: A woman who has not carried a pregnancy to a viable gestational age.
  • Primiparous: A woman who has carried one pregnancy to a viable gestational age.
  • Multiparous: A woman who has carried two or more pregnancies to a viable gestational age.

Significance in Medical Practice[edit | edit source]

Understanding the concepts of gravidity and parity is crucial in medical practice, especially in the fields of gynecology, obstetrics, midwifery, and family medicine. These terms provide a succinct overview of a woman's reproductive history, which can be important in predicting pregnancy-related risks and complications.

References[edit | edit source]

Gravidity and parity Resources
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