MIDWIFERY TERMS PEOPLE TEND TO CONFUSE

 What’s the difference 

Commonly Confused Midwifery Terms (Made Simple)

In midwifery, some terms sound alike but mean very different things. Understanding the difference is important for safe care of both mother and baby. Here are some commonly confused terms explained simply.

APH vs PPH

• APH (Antepartum Haemorrhage): Bleeding from the vagina before the baby is born, usually after 28 weeks of pregnancy.

• PPH (Postpartum Haemorrhage): Heavy bleeding that happens after the baby is born.

• Main difference: One happens before delivery, the other after delivery.

GHPT vs CHPT

• GHPT (Gestational Hypertension): High blood pressure that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after delivery.

• CHPT (Chronic Hypertension): High blood pressure that was present before pregnancy or continues after delivery.

• Main difference: One starts in pregnancy, the other existed before pregnancy.

IOL vs AOL

• IOL (Induction of Labour): Starting labour artificially using medication or other methods.

• AOL (Augmentation of Labour): Helping labour that has already started but is slow or weak.

• Main difference: One starts labour, the other strengthens labour.

Cephalic vs Breech Presentation

• Cephalic presentation: The baby is positioned head down in the uterus.

• Breech presentation: The baby is positioned bottom or feet first.

• Main difference: Head first vs bottom/feet first.

Latent Phase vs Active Phase of Labour

• Latent phase: Early labour where contractions are mild and the cervix dilates slowly (up to about 4 cm).

• Active phase: Labour becomes stronger and faster, and the cervix dilates more quickly (from about 4 cm onwards).

• Main difference: Early slow labour vs strong progressing labour.

Primigravida vs Multigravida

• Primigravida: A woman who is pregnant for the first time.

• Multigravida: A woman who has been pregnant more than once.

• Main difference: First pregnancy vs multiple pregnancies.

Preterm Baby vs Term Baby

• Preterm baby: A baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

• Term baby: A baby born between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy.

• Main difference: Born early vs born at full term.

Recession vs Retractions

• Recession: Inward movement of the soft tissues of the chest during breathing, usually seen in babies.

• Retractions: Deep pulling in of the chest wall during breathing, showing respiratory distress.

• Main difference: Both show breathing difficulty, but retractions are more severe.

CTG vs LCG

• CTG (Cardiotocography): A machine that continuously records the baby’s heart rate and uterine contractions.

• LCG (Labor care Guide): A chart used to monitor the progress of labor in active phase

PROM vs PPROM

• PROM (Premature Rupture of Membranes): The waters break before labour starts at term.

• PPROM (Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes): The waters break before labour starts and before 37 weeks.

• Main difference: Term vs preterm rupture of membranes.

Prolonged Labour vs Obstructed Labour

• Prolonged labour: Labour that lasts longer than normal.

• Obstructed labour: Labour that cannot progress due to a physical blockage, even with strong contractions.

• Main difference: Slow labour vs labour that cannot progress at all.

  
  

In midwifery, small words carry big meaning. Learning the difference between these terms helps reduce fear, improves communication, and most importantly, keeps mothers and babies safe.