What does the acronym GTPAL stand for in obstetrics?

The acronym GTPAL is a mnemonic used in obstetrics to summarize a woman’s obstetric history. It offers a clear and concise way to present important details regarding a patient's pregnancies, which is essential for assessing her reproductive history and risks in prenatal care.

Each component of the correct choice stands for:

• Gravida: the total number of times a woman has been pregnant, regardless of the outcome.

• Term: the number of pregnancies that were carried to term (generally defined as 37 weeks of gestation or more).

• Preterm: the number of pregnancies that resulted in preterm delivery (from 20 weeks up to 36 weeks and 6 days).

• Abortions: this term refers to the number of pregnancies that ended before 20 weeks, whether due to spontaneous miscarriage or elective termination.

• Living children: the number of children the woman currently has, who are living.

This vocabulary encapsulates a woman's pregnancy history in a format that is commonly used in clinical records and discussions, promoting clarity among healthcare professionals.

Other options misidentify terms related to gravidity and pregnancy outcomes, using incorrect terminology or definitions that do not align with standard medical practice. For instance, gestational and total births are not the correct terms used within this