GPA in pregnancy stands for Gravida, Para, Abortus. It's a shorthand way for medical professionals to document a woman's obstetric history, which is crucial for understanding her medical needs and planning her future pregnancies.
- Gravida (G) refers to the total number of times a woman has been pregnant, regardless of the outcome.
- Para (P) indicates the number of live births a woman has had.
- Abortus (A) represents the number of pregnancies that ended before 20 weeks gestation, including miscarriages and induced abortions.
Example: A woman who has been pregnant three times, has given birth twice, and had one miscarriage would be documented as G3P2A1.
Understanding GPA helps medical professionals assess a woman's risk factors for complications during pregnancy and labor, and allows them to provide tailored care. It also helps identify potential issues that may require further investigation.