In the context of pregnancy, GPA refers to a system used to describe a woman's obstetric history, with each letter standing for a specific term.
Understanding GPA
GPA is an acronym that stands for:
- G - Gravida: The total number of times a woman has been pregnant, regardless of the outcome. This includes current pregnancies, miscarriages, abortions, and live births.
- P - Para: The number of pregnancies that have resulted in a birth after 20 weeks of gestation, whether the baby was born alive or stillborn. Only births that reached the 20-week mark count towards parity.
- A - Abortus: The number of pregnancies that ended before 20 weeks of gestation, whether through miscarriage or induced abortion.
How to Use GPA
GPA is presented in a series of three numbers, reflecting the gravida, para, and abortus counts, respectively. For instance:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| G | Number of total pregnancies (including current, past, and lost pregnancies) |
| P | Number of pregnancies that resulted in a birth after 20 weeks of gestation |
| A/Ab | Number of pregnancies that ended before 20 weeks of gestation (miscarriages or induced abortions) |
-
Example 1: A woman who is currently pregnant, has had one prior miscarriage, and one previous full-term birth would be G3P1A1.
- G=3 because she has been pregnant three times.
- P=1 because she has had one pregnancy that reached the 20-week mark and resulted in a birth.
- A=1 because she has had one pregnancy that ended before 20 weeks.
-
Example 2: A woman who is pregnant for the first time with no prior history of pregnancy would be G1P0A0.
- G=1 because she is currently pregnant.
- P=0 because she has no pregnancies that resulted in a birth after 20 weeks.
- A=0 because she has no prior pregnancy losses before 20 weeks.
-
Example 3: A woman who has had 3 full term pregnancies with no prior miscarriages or abortions would be G3P3A0.
It's important to note that a multiple birth (like twins or triplets) from one pregnancy only counts as one toward the para number (P).
Why GPA Matters
- Medical History: GPA provides healthcare professionals with a concise summary of a woman's reproductive history.
- Risk Assessment: It helps identify risk factors in current or future pregnancies.
- Planning Care: It aids in planning appropriate prenatal and delivery care.
Understanding and using GPA helps healthcare providers ensure women receive the best possible care throughout their pregnancy journey.
