This list is by no means exhaustive as different members of the medical profession may use different abbreviations or slight variations to these. Any you see in your notes that you.re unsure of please feel free to ask and I.ll see if I can help. Also (as seen with FBS) some abbreviations have more than one meaning so if you are unsure check with your health care provider.
ABO - May be seen in reference to blood test to check what your blood group is
AC - Abdominal circumference
AF - Artificial feed i.e. bottle fed
AFP - Alpha fetal protein (test offered at 16weeks to assess risk of problems with babe such as Downs syndrome)
ANC - Ante natal clinic
APH - Ante partum haemorrhage. Bleed whilst pregnant
BF - Breast fed
BO - Bowels opened
BNO - Bowels not opened
BPD - Bi parietal diameter. One side of the head to the other (ear to ear direction)
BP - blood pressure
Br - Breech
CEPH - Cephalic (head), in regards to presentation means head down
CRL - Crown to rump length i.e. Top of head to baby.s bum
C/S - Caesarian section
CTG - Cardio toco graph. The machine that they use on delivery suite to measure contractions and baby.s heart rate over a period of time
Cx - Cervix
= d - Usually in relation to fundal height (uterus size) means is right for dates
EBM - Expressed breast milk
EDD - Estimated date of delivery
ELSCS - Emergency lower segment caesarean section
Eng - Engaged
EPU - Early pregnancy unit
FAU - Fetal assessment unit
FBC - Full blood count
FBS - Fetal blood sample OR fasting blood sugar
FL - Femoral length (thigh bone)
FMF - Fetal movements felt
FHHR - fetal heart heard regularly (sometimes seen as FHH)
GTT - Glucose tolerance test
G2 P1 - Gravida 2 (2nd pregnancy) Para 1 (1 child living)
GA - General anaesthetic
Hb - Haemoglobin i.e. Iron levels
HC - Head circumference
IM - Intra muscular
IUGR - Intra uterine growth retardation i.e. Small baby for dates
IV - Intra venous (going into vein)
IVI - Intra venous infusion i.e. a drip
LA - Local anaesthetic
LMP - Last menstrual period
LOA - Left occiput anterior i.e. the back of baby.s head is to the front left side of your abdomen (where you want it to be)
LOP - Left occiput posterior i.e. back of baby.s head is to the back left side of your abdomen (where you don.t want it to be really)
LUSCS - lower uterine segment caesarean section (sometimes seen without the U )
Mec - Meconium (babies early poo)
Multip - Has 1 or more living child
MSSU - mid stream specimen of urine
NAD - Nothing abnormal detected
N/Eng - Not engaged
NNU - Neonatal unit
NICU - Neonatal intensive care unit
NPU - Not passed urine
OC - Oral contraception
OP - Occiput posterior
OA - Occiput anterior
Palp - Palpable i.e. what can be felt
PIH - Pregnancy induced hypertension (high bp)
PMH - Past medical history
PPH - Post partum haemorrhage. Bleed after baby is born
PR - Via rectum
PU - Passed urine
PV - Via vagina
Primip - First pregnancy
Reg - Registrar
Rh - Rhesus
SCBU - Special care baby unit
SHO - Senior house officer
SPD - symphisis pubis dysfunction i.e. loosening of cartilage at front of pubic bone (v. rough definition)
TOS - Trial of scar
Tr - Transverse ie Lying sideways
U&E - Blood test checking urea and electrolyte levels
USS - ultrasound scan
VBAC - Vaginal birth after a caesarean section
+ve - Positive
-ve - Negative
VE - Vaginal examination
Vx - Vertex, used in relation to presenting part/position. Means head down