English for Obstetrics & Gynaecology: Essential Vocabulary & Phrases

"estimated date of delivery"

The predicted due date, calculated as 40 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period or by ultrasound biometry

"The sonographer confirmed an estimated date of delivery of 15 March based on first-trimester crown–rump length measurements."

"nuchal translucency scan"

An ultrasound measurement of the fluid-filled space at the back of a fetus's neck, used in first-trimester Down syndrome screening

"The nuchal translucency scan at 12 weeks showed a measurement of 1.8 mm, placing her in the low-risk category."

"hyperemesis gravidarum"

A severe form of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting causing dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and weight loss requiring hospital admission

"She was admitted at eight weeks with hyperemesis gravidarum; IV fluids and antiemetics were commenced immediately."

"ectopic pregnancy"

A pregnancy in which the fertilised egg implants outside the uterine cavity, most commonly in the fallopian tube, posing a risk of tubal rupture

"A transvaginal ultrasound confirmed an ectopic pregnancy in the right tube; emergency salpingectomy was performed."

"placenta praevia"

A condition in which the placenta partially or completely covers the internal cervical os, causing painless antepartum haemorrhage and obstructing vaginal delivery

"The 32-week ultrasound revealed a complete placenta praevia; the team planned an elective caesarean section at 37 weeks."

"gestational diabetes mellitus"

Carbohydrate intolerance first recognised in pregnancy, increasing risks of macrosomia, stillbirth, and neonatal hypoglycaemia

"A 75g oral glucose tolerance test at 26 weeks confirmed gestational diabetes mellitus; dietary modification and metformin were initiated."

"intrauterine growth restriction"

A condition in which the fetus fails to achieve its genetically determined growth potential, often due to placental insufficiency

"Serial growth scans identified intrauterine growth restriction; the Doppler waveforms showed absent end-diastolic flow in the umbilical artery."

"pre-eclampsia"

A multisystem disorder of pregnancy characterised by hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks, with risk of maternal stroke, eclampsia, and placental abruption

"She presented with a blood pressure of 158/102 mmHg and 3+ proteinuria, meeting the criteria for pre-eclampsia."

"induction of labour"

A clinical procedure to artificially initiate uterine contractions before spontaneous onset, using methods such as cervical ripening agents, amniotomy, or oxytocin infusion

"Induction of labour was recommended at 41 weeks to reduce the risk of stillbirth associated with post-dates pregnancy."

"Bishop score"

A pre-labour cervical assessment scale scoring dilation, effacement, consistency, position, and fetal station to predict the likelihood of successful induction

"A Bishop score of 4 indicated an unfavourable cervix; a Foley catheter was inserted for mechanical ripening before oxytocin."

"cardiotocography"

Continuous electronic monitoring of the fetal heart rate and uterine contractions, used to assess fetal wellbeing during labour

"Cardiotocography revealed variable decelerations with each contraction; fetal blood sampling was performed to exclude acidosis."

"caesarean section"

Surgical delivery of the baby through incisions in the abdominal wall and uterus, performed electively or as an emergency procedure

"An emergency caesarean section was performed at full dilatation due to an obstructed labour and a non-reassuring CTG."

"instrumental delivery"

Assisted vaginal birth using forceps or a vacuum extractor to facilitate delivery of the fetal head when maternal pushing is insufficient or contraindicated

"An instrumental delivery was performed with Kielland's forceps to rotate and deliver the baby from a persistent occiput posterior position."

"shoulder dystocia"

An obstetric emergency in which the fetal anterior shoulder becomes impacted behind the maternal pubic symphysis after delivery of the head

"Shoulder dystocia was called; the team applied McRoberts' manoeuvre and suprapubic pressure, delivering the baby within two minutes."

"episiotomy"

A surgical incision of the perineum and posterior vaginal wall made during the second stage of labour to enlarge the vaginal opening

"A mediolateral episiotomy was performed to expedite instrumental delivery and reduce the risk of a third-degree tear."

"cord prolapse"

An obstetric emergency in which the umbilical cord descends through the cervix ahead of the presenting part, causing cord compression and fetal hypoxia

"On vaginal examination the registrar felt a pulsating loop of cord; cord prolapse was declared and theatre was alerted for immediate caesarean."

"endometriosis"

A chronic condition in which endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus, causing dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, and subfertility

"Laparoscopy confirmed stage III endometriosis with deposits on the ovaries and uterosacral ligaments; she was counselled on surgical excision versus hormonal suppression."

"polycystic ovary syndrome"

A common hormonal disorder characterised by anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovarian morphology on ultrasound, associated with insulin resistance

"She was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome after presenting with oligomenorrhoea, acne, and a testosterone level at the upper limit of normal."

"uterine fibroid"

A benign smooth-muscle tumour of the uterus that can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and pressure symptoms depending on size and location

"Pelvic MRI identified a 7 cm intramural uterine fibroid; myomectomy was planned as she wished to preserve fertility."

"cervical ectropion"

Eversion of the columnar epithelium from the endocervical canal onto the ectocervix, presenting as a red appearance and causing contact bleeding or excess discharge

"Colposcopy confirmed a cervical ectropion rather than a dysplastic lesion; she was reassured and the ectropion was treated with cryotherapy for symptomatic relief."

"pelvic inflammatory disease"

An infection of the upper female genital tract including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, usually caused by ascending sexually transmitted pathogens

"She presented with lower abdominal pain and cervical motion tenderness; pelvic inflammatory disease was diagnosed and dual antibiotic therapy was started."

"ovarian torsion"

A gynaecological emergency in which the ovary twists on its ligamentous supports, compromising blood supply and causing acute severe pelvic pain

"An urgent ultrasound with Doppler showed absent blood flow in the right ovary; ovarian torsion was confirmed and emergency laparoscopic de-torsion was performed."

"vulvodynia"

Chronic unexplained vulvar pain lasting three months or more without an identifiable cause, significantly impairing quality of life and sexual function

"After excluding infective and dermatological causes, a diagnosis of vulvodynia was made; she was referred to a pelvic-floor physiotherapist and psychosexual counsellor."

"abnormal uterine bleeding"

Any change in menstrual frequency, duration, regularity, or volume that deviates from the normal pattern, evaluated using the PALM-COEIN classification

"The FIGO PALM-COEIN assessment attributed her abnormal uterine bleeding to an endometrial polyp; hysteroscopic polypectomy was offered."

"in vitro fertilisation"

An assisted reproductive technology in which oocytes are retrieved from the ovaries, fertilised with sperm in the laboratory, and one or more embryos are transferred to the uterus

"After two failed intrauterine insemination cycles, the couple proceeded to in vitro fertilisation using the woman's own eggs and donor sperm."

"ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome"

A potentially serious complication of ovarian stimulation in IVF, characterised by enlarged ovaries, ascites, and haemoconcentration; severe cases risk thromboembolism

"She developed severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome after egg collection; her cycle was frozen and transfer deferred to the next month."

"antral follicle count"

An ultrasound-based measure of the number of small follicles visible in both ovaries at the start of the menstrual cycle, used as a surrogate marker of ovarian reserve

"An antral follicle count of 6 suggested diminished ovarian reserve; the dose of FSH for stimulation was increased accordingly."

"anti-Müllerian hormone"

A glycoprotein secreted by granulosa cells of preantral and small antral follicles, whose serum level reflects ovarian reserve and is used in IVF planning

"Her anti-Müllerian hormone level of 0.4 pmol/L confirmed poor ovarian reserve and prompted a discussion about donor egg IVF."

"intracytoplasmic sperm injection"

A laboratory technique in which a single spermatozoon is injected directly into an oocyte to achieve fertilisation, used when sperm count or motility is severely impaired

"Owing to severe oligospermia with 2 % normal morphology, intracytoplasmic sperm injection was recommended to maximise fertilisation rates."

"endometrial receptivity"

The physiological state of the uterine lining during the implantation window, characterised by specific molecular and morphological changes that permit embryo attachment

"A repeat frozen embryo transfer was planned after a hysteroscopy to optimise endometrial receptivity by correcting a uterine septum."

"recurrent miscarriage"

The loss of three or more pregnancies before 24 weeks of gestation, warranting investigation for anatomical, thrombophilic, chromosomal, and immunological causes

"Following a third consecutive first-trimester loss, she was referred to the recurrent miscarriage clinic for thrombophilia screening and karyotyping."

"sperm analysis"

A laboratory assessment of semen parameters including volume, concentration, motility, morphology, and vitality, performed as part of the initial subfertility workup

"Sperm analysis revealed a total motile count of 3 million; the andrologist recommended repeat testing before proceeding to ICSI."

"cervical intraepithelial neoplasia"

A spectrum of premalignant squamous cell changes of the cervix classified as CIN 1, 2, or 3 based on the proportion of epithelium replaced by dysplastic cells

"Colposcopy-directed biopsy confirmed CIN 2; large loop excision of the transformation zone was performed under local anaesthesia."

"FIGO staging"

The International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics system for staging gynaecological cancers based on clinical examination, imaging, and surgical findings

"Pelvic MRI and CT thorax/abdomen placed her endometrial cancer at FIGO stage IB; robotic hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy was recommended."

"total abdominal hysterectomy"

Surgical removal of the uterus and cervix through an abdominal incision, performed for benign or malignant indications

"A total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed for stage IA endometrial adenocarcinoma."

"colposcopy"

A diagnostic procedure using a magnifying instrument to examine the cervix, vagina, and vulva under illumination after application of acetic acid, used to evaluate abnormal smear results

"She was referred for colposcopy following two consecutive smears showing high-grade dyskaryosis; a biopsy was taken from a dense acetowhite area."

"sentinel lymph node biopsy"

A surgical technique to identify and remove the first lymph node draining a tumour site to determine whether cancer has spread, minimising the morbidity of full lymphadenectomy

"Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed using indocyanine green at the time of hysterectomy; all nodes were negative for metastatic disease."

"cisplatin-based chemoradiation"

A concurrent treatment regimen combining external beam radiotherapy with weekly cisplatin chemotherapy, used as primary treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer

"Following MDT review of her FIGO stage IIB cervical cancer, she was enrolled in a cisplatin-based chemoradiation protocol with a planned brachytherapy boost."

"CA-125"

A serum tumour marker elevated in ovarian cancer and other conditions; used in combination with ultrasound to risk-stratify adnexal masses and monitor treatment response

"A CA-125 of 890 U/mL in conjunction with a complex bilateral pelvic mass raised strong suspicion of ovarian carcinoma; urgent MDT referral was made."

"debulking surgery"

An operative procedure aiming to remove the maximum possible volume of tumour, often performed for advanced ovarian cancer to improve chemotherapy efficacy and survival

"Primary debulking surgery achieved optimal cytoreduction with no residual disease greater than 1 cm; platinum-based chemotherapy was started six weeks later."

"antenatal care pathway"

A structured schedule of appointments, investigations, and interventions for monitoring a pregnant woman from booking through to delivery

"The community midwife explained the antenatal care pathway, outlining appointments at 8, 16, 25, 28, 31, 34, 36, 38, 40, and 41 weeks."

"multidisciplinary team meeting"

A scheduled case conference involving obstetricians, midwives, neonatologists, anaesthetists, and other specialists to plan complex maternity or gynaecological care

"The multidisciplinary team meeting reviewed her cardiac condition and agreed on a plan for consultant-led care with delivery in a tertiary centre."

"informed consent"

A process by which a clinician explains the nature, benefits, risks, and alternatives of a proposed procedure, and the patient voluntarily agrees to proceed

"Informed consent for caesarean section was obtained by the obstetric registrar, covering anaesthetic risks, haemorrhage, and implications for future pregnancies."

"obstetric early warning score"

A track-and-trigger tool using vital signs to detect deterioration in a pregnant or postpartum woman and prompt escalation of care

"A rising obstetric early warning score prompted the midwife to call the on-call registrar; sepsis secondary to chorioamnionitis was subsequently diagnosed."

"postpartum haemorrhage protocol"

A standardised emergency management bundle for blood loss exceeding 500 mL after delivery, including uterotonic drugs, fluid resuscitation, and surgical escalation

"When blood loss reached 1,000 mL, the postpartum haemorrhage protocol was activated; the cell saver was prepared and tranexamic acid was administered."

"pelvic-floor assessment"

A physiotherapy or clinical evaluation of the strength, coordination, and integrity of the pelvic-floor muscles, conducted antenatally or postnatally to prevent or treat dysfunction

"A six-week postnatal pelvic-floor assessment identified grade 2 uterovaginal prolapse; supervised pelvic-floor exercises were prescribed before surgical referral."

"safeguarding referral"

A formal notification to social services or child protection teams when concerns are raised about the safety or welfare of a woman or her unborn or newborn child

"A disclosure of domestic abuse during the antenatal booking prompted the midwife to complete a safeguarding referral to the local authority the same day."

"birth debrief"

A structured conversation offered to women after a difficult or traumatic birth experience, aimed at clarifying events, addressing concerns, and reducing the risk of postnatal PTSD

"Following an emergency caesarean under general anaesthetic, a birth debrief was offered at the six-week check to help her process the experience."