What it means
An obstetric term used with gravida (the number of times a person has been pregnant). Para counts pregnancies, not babies, that reached 20 weeks: twins count as one. It is written as G (gravida) and P (para), such as G3 P2. The fuller GTPAL system splits para into term births, preterm births, abortions (pregnancy losses before 20 weeks, from any cause) and living children. Parity is the same count. Do not confuse it with the prefix para-PAIR-uhA word beginning that means beside, near, beyond or abnormal.Full entry (beside).
In a chart
"G4 P2: two births after 20 weeks, one miscarriage, currently pregnant."
Remember it
GTPAL: gravida, term, preterm, abortions, living.
At a glance
| Spanish | para, paridad |
|---|---|
| Also written | parity |
Related terms
para-
A word beginning that means beside, near, beyond or abnormal.
EDD
Estimated date of delivery: the expected due date of a pregnancy.
pregnancy
The time during which an embryo, then a fetus, develops inside the uterus, from conception to birth.
last menstrual period
The first day of a person's most recent menstrual period.