Obstetrics and Gynecology Mnemonics

Obstetrics and Gynecology Mnemonics: Simplifying Women’s Health Concepts

A

Abdominal pain: causes during pregnancy: LARA CROFT:

• Labour
• Abruption of placenta
• Rupture (eg. ectopic/ uterus)
• Abortion
• Cholestasis
• Rectus sheath haematoma
• Ovarian tumour
• Fibroids
• Torsion of uterus
  • Author: Graeme Little University College London

Alpha-fetoprotein: causes for increased maternal serum AFP during pregnancy: “Increased Maternal Serum Alpha Feto Protein”:

• Intestinal obstruction
• Multiple gestation/ Miscalculation of gestational age/ Myeloschisis
• Spina bifida cystica
• Anencephaly/ Abdominal wall defect
• Fetal death
• Placental abruption
  • Author: Rinku Uberoi UNIBE

APGAR score components: SHIRT:

• Skin color: blue or pink
• Heart rate: below 100 or over 100
• Irritability (response to stimulation): none, grimace or cry
• Respirations: irregular or good
• Tone (muscle): some flexion or active
  • Author: Kimberly Scott Medical College of Virginia

Asherman syndrome features: ASHERMAN:

• Acquired Anomaly
• Secondary to Surgery
• Hysterosalpingography confirms diagnosis
• Endometrial damage/ Eugonadotropic
• Repeated uterine trauma
• Missed Menses
• Adhesions
• Normal estrogen and progesterone
  • Author: Rinku Uberoi UNIBE

B

B-agonist tocolytic (C/I or warning): ABCDE:

• Angina (Heart disease)
• BP high
• Chorioamnionitis
• Diabetes
• Excessive bleeding
  • Author: Lum

C

CVS and amniocentesis: when performed: “Chorionic” has 9 letters and Chorionic villus sampling performed at 9 weeks gestation.

• “AlphaFetoProtein” has 16 letters and it’s measured at 16 weeks gestation.
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

D

Delivery: instrumental delivery prerequisites: AABBCCDDEE:

• Analgesia
• Antisepsis
• Bowel empty
• Bladder empty
• Cephalic presentation
• Consent
• Dilated cervix
• Disproportion (no CPD)
• Engaged
• Episiotomy
  • Author: Harold Choi Medical student in Singapore

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB): 3 major causes: DUB:

• Don’t ovulate (anovulation: 90% of cases)
• Unusual corpus leuteum activity (prolonged or insufficient)
• Birth control pills (since increases progesterone-estrogen ratio)
  • Author: Atif Farooq Khawaja Rawalpindi Medical College, Pakistan

E

Early cord clamping: indications: RAPID CS:

• Rh incompatibility
• Asphyxia
• Premature delivery
• Infections
• Diabetic mother
• CS (caesarian section) previously, so the funda is RAPID CS
  • Author: Rajeev and Ashish Doctors, RNTMC, UDP

F

Forceps: indications for delivery: FORCEPS:

• Foetus alive
• Os dilated
• Ruptured membrane
• Cervix taken up
• Engagement of head
• Presentation suitable
• Sagittal suture in AP diameter of inlet
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

Forceps: indications for use: FORCEPS:

• Fully dilated cervix
• 0 [“Zero”] CPD
• Ruptured membranes
• Cephalic or at least deliverable presentation/ Contracting uterus
• Episiotomy done/ Epidural done
• P!ss and S#!t (bladder and bowel empty)
  • Author: Simon Holliday St. George’s Hospital Medical School, UK

Female pelvis: shapes: GAP:

• ­ In order from most to least common:
• Gynecoid
• Android /Anthropoid
• Platypelloid
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

I

IUD: side effects: PAINS:

• Period that is late
• Abdominal cramps
• Increase in body temperature
• Noticeable vaginal discharge
• Spotting
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

IUGR: causes: IUGR:

• Inherited: chromosomal and genetic disorders
• Uterus: placental insufficency
• General: maternal malnutrition, smoking
• Rubella and other congenital infecton
  • Author: Anthony Chan

L

Labour: preterm labor causes: DISEASE:

• Dehydration
• Infection
• Sex
• Exercise (strenuous)
• Activities
• Stress
• Environmental factor (job, etc)
  • Author: Alycia Ernst Banner Health AZ

M

Multiple pregnancy complications: HI, PAPA:

• Hydramnios (Poly)
• IUGR
• Preterm labour
• Antepartum haemorrhage
• Pre-eclampsia
• Abortion
  • Author: Ashley Liew University of Glasgow, UK

O

Omental caking: likeliest cause

• Omental CAking = Ovarian CA

“Omental caking” is term for ascities, plus a fixed upper abdominal and pelvic mass. Almost always signifies ovarian cancer.

• • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

Oral contraceptive complications: warning signs: ACHES:

• Abdominal pain
• Chest pain
• Headache (severe)
• Eye (blurred vision)
• Sharp leg pain
  • Author: Carrie Davis, RNC, MSN, WHNP Obici Health System

Oral contraceptives: side effects: CONTRACEPTIVES:

• Cholestatic jaundice
• Oedema (corneal)
• Nasal congestion
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Raised BP
• Acne/ Alopecia/ Anaemia
• Cerebrovascular disease
• Elevated blood sugar
• Porphyria/ Pigmentation/ Pancreatitis
• Thromboembolism
• Intracranial hypertension
• Vomiting (progesterone only)
• Erythema nodosum/ Extrapyramidal effects
• Sensitivity to light
  • Author: Harsh Sharma BJMC, Pune, India

P

Preeclampsia: classic triad: PREeclampsia:

• Proteinuria
• Rising blood pressure
• Edema
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

Parity abbreviations (ie: G 3, P 2012): “To Peace And Love”:

• T: of Term pregnancies
• P: of Premature births
• A: of Abortions (spontaneous or elective)
• L: of Live births

Describes the outcomes of the total number of pregnancies (Gravida).

• • Author: Megan Duffy Medical student, AZCOM

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): causes, effects: “PID CAN be EPIC“:

Causes:

• Chlamydia trachomatis
• Actinomycetes
• Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• ­ Effects:
• Ectopic
• Pregnancy
• Infertility
• Chronic pain
  • Author: Scott Alexander Loma Linda University SOM

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): complications: I FACE PID:

• Infertility
• Fitz-Hugh-Curitis syndrome
• Abscesses
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Peritonitis
• Intestinal obstruction
• Disseminated: sepsis, endocarditis, arthritis, meninigitis
  • Author: Lum

Postpartum collapse: causes: HEPARINS:

• Hemorrhage
• Eclampsia
• Pulmonary embolism
• Amniotic fluid embolism
• Regional anaethetic complications
• Infarction (MI)
• Neurogenic shock
• Septic shock
  • Author: Hossam Elzeiny Trainee, Royal Womens Hospital, Victoria, Australia

Post-partum haemmorrage (PPH): risk factors: PARTUM:

• Polyhydroamnios/ Prolonged labour/ Previous cesarian
• APH/ ANTH
• Recent bleeding history
• Twins
• Uterine fibroids
• Multiparity
  • Author: Nathan Sachdev University of New South Wales, Sydney

Prenatal care questions: ABCDE:

• Amniotic fluid leakage?
• Bleeding vaginally?
• Contractions?
• Dysuria?
• Edema?
• Fetal movement?
  • Author: Jason Bermak UC Irvine

R

RLQ pain: brief female differential: AEIOU:

• Appendicitis/ Abscess
• Ectopic pregnancy/ Endometriosis
• Inflammatory disease (pelvic)/ IBD
• Ovarian cyst (rupture, torsion)
• Uteric colic/ Urinary stones
  • Author: Sushant Varma University of Sheffield, UK

S

Secondary amenorrhea: causes: SOAP:

• Stress
• OCP
• Anorexia
• Pregnancy
  • Author: Nathan Sachdev University of New South Wales, Sydney