Within the practice of obstetrics and gynecology are useful acronyms that speed the communication of details surrounding patient care. Here is a list of some you will hear more often during your clerkship. Depending on your location, there may be alternative acronyms used with the same meaning. Or you may find additional acronyms used that are useful to you.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| AC | Fetal abdominal circumference |
| AFI/AFV | Amniotic fluid index or volume |
| AOL | Augmentation of labor |
| AROM | Artificial rupture of membranes |
| BOW | Bag of waters (the amniotic sac) |
| BPD | Fetal biparietal diameter |
| BPP | Biophysical profile |
| BSO | Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RSO/LSO – right and left sided SO) |
| BTL | Bilateral tubal ligation |
| C/S | Cesarean section |
| CCS | Classical Cesarean section |
| CRL | Crown-rump length, measured by ultrasound |
| CST | Contraction stress test (same test as OCT) |
| CVS | Chorionic villus sampling |
| DMPA | Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera contraceptive) |
| EAB/TAB/TOP | Elective abortion/termination |
| EDC/EDD | Estimated date of confinement/delivery |
| FAVD | Forceps-assisted vaginal delivery |
| F/C | Feeding/contraception plan, in postpartum notes |
| FL | Fetal femur length measured by ultrasound |
| FP | Family Planning |
| GBS/GBBS | Group B streptococcus (a vertically transmitted cause of neonatal sepsis) |
| GDM | Gestational diabetes mellitus |
| GDMA1 | Gestational diabetes mellitus – Diet Controlled |
| GDMA2 | Gestational diabetes mellitus – Medication Controlled |
| GC/CT | Gonorrhea and Chlamydia |
| G/P | Gravida (the total number of pregnancies) and Para (4 numbers are usually listed: the number of pregnancies delivered to term, preterm (less than 37 weeks), abortions (fetuses less than 20 weeks gestation or less than 500g), and living children. |
| GTT | Glucose tolerance test |
| GYN/ONC | Gynecologic Oncology |
| HC | Fetal head circumference measured by US |
| HCG | Human chorionic gonadotropin (may be given as a qualitative value obtained from a urine sample, or as a quantitative value from a serum sample) |
| HELLP | Hemolysis, Elevated liver function tests, Low Platelets—a severe manifestation of preeclampsia |
| HRT | Hormone replacement therapy |
| IOL | Induction of labor |
| IUFD | Intrauterine fetal demise |
| IUGR | Intrauterine growth restriction |
| IVF | In Vitro Fertilization |
| LAVH | Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy |
| LMP | First day of the last menstrual period |
| LND | Lymph node dissection |
| LOA | Lysis of adhesions |
| LSC | Laparoscopic (ie LSC BSO) |
| LTCS | Low transverse Cesarean section |
| MAB | Medical abortion |
| MFM | Maternal Fetal Medicine |
| MIS | Minimally Invasive Surgery |
| MSAFP | Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein |
| NST | Non-stress test |
| NSVD | Normal spontaneous vaginal delivery |
| OB/GYN | Obstetrics & Gynecology |
| OCP or BCP | Oral contraceptive/birth control pills |
| OCT | Oxytocin challenge test |
| OVD | Operative vaginal delivery |
| PCOS | Polycystic ovary syndrome |
| PID | Pelvic inflammatory disease |
| PD | Post-dates |
| PNV | Prenatal vitamins |
| POD# | Postoperative day |
| PPD# | Postpartum day |
| PPH | Post-partum hemorrhage |
| PPROM | Preterm premature rupture of membranes |
| PROM | Premature rupture of membranes |
| PTL | Preterm labor |
| PUL | Pregnancy of unknown location |
| REI | Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility |
| ROM | Rupture of membranes |
| SAB | Spontaneous abortion or miscarriage |
| SROM | Spontaneous rupture of membranes |
| TAH | Total abdominal hysterectomy |
| TOLAC | Trial of labor after Cesarean section |
| TLH | Total laparoscopic hysterectomy |
| TVH | Total vaginal hysterectomy |
| UC | Uterine contractions |
| URO/GYN | Uro-Gynecology |
| US | Ultrasound |
| VAVD | Vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery |
| VB | Vaginal bleeding |
| VBAC | Vaginal birth after Cesarian section |