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.
| 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 |