Essential OBGYN abbreviations

Inevitably on social media pages a lot of abbreviations come up. I try to explain them as much as possible, but also I know that the use of these can make medical professionals even more unrelatable.

So I thought I would try to create a list of the common ones that come up in everyday consultations and medical notes. This list is by no means comprehensive, but I hope will be helpful when you are scrolling your feeds. Feel free to add your own as a comment at the bottom!

ANC – antenatal clinic

ARM – Artificially rupturing (breaking) membranes.

COCP – aka ‘the pill’ or the combined contraceptive pill

CS – Caesarean section (sometimes called LSCS for lower segment)

CTG – Cardiotocograph, or the monitor that is used in pregnancy and labour to check the heartbeat of your baby

ECV – External cephalic version – a technique used to turn a breech baby

EDD – Estimated delivery date

ERPC – Evacuation of retained products of conception, usually performed after a miscarriage as ‘surgical’ management by using suction, or sometimes after birth when part of the placenta remains in the womb

FH – Fetal heart rate, eg when midwife listens to baby with doppler or on CTG trace. 

FM – Fetal movements, or the kicks of your baby

IOL – Induction of labour

IUD – intrauterine device, often known as a coil

LMP – last menstrual period (for dating pregnancy)

MROP – manual removal of placenta

OA – occipito-anterior position, the preferable way for baby to be delivered where the head faces towards the mothers bum, giving the smallest diameter to fit quickly and easily though the pelvis

OP – occipito-posterior position, where baby’s head is the other direction, so the back of their head is in line with the mothers back aka ‘back-to-back’ position

PCOS – polycystic ovarian syndrome

PET – pre-eclamptic toxaemia, or pre-eclampsia. This condition occurs when there is high blood pressure in pregnancy and other effects on the kidneys, liver or brain.

PIH – pregnancy-induced hypertension. High blood pressure in pregnancy without other effects.

PMB – post-menopausal bleeding

PPH – postpartum haemorrhage (heavy bleeding after birth)

PROM – Prolonged rupture of membranes. This is where the waters break over 24 hours before the birth of the baby

SGA – Small for gestational age (refers to when the baby is smaller in size than expected)

SROM – Spontaneous rupture of membranes aka when your waters break

TOP – Termination of pregnancy

TTC – Trying to conceive

TWW – Two week wait (when trying to conceive, the gap between ovulation and the expected period)

USS – Ultrasound Scan

VBAC – Vaginal Birth After C section