Obstetric Notation: G6 P3 A3
For a female patient with 3 living children, 2 previous abortions, and one ongoing abortion, the correct obstetric notation is G6 P3 A3 (Gravida 6, Para 3, Abortus 3).
Understanding the Formula
The obstetric history is documented using the GPA system:
- Gravida (G): Total number of pregnancies, regardless of outcome
- Para (P): Number of deliveries after 20 weeks gestation (live births or stillbirths)
- Abortus (A): Number of pregnancy losses before 20 weeks gestation
Calculation for This Patient
Gravida = 6
- 3 pregnancies resulting in living children
- 2 previous abortions
- 1 current ongoing abortion
- Total: 6 pregnancies
Para = 3
- Only the 3 deliveries that resulted in living children count toward parity
- Abortions (occurring before 20 weeks) do not contribute to parity 1
Abortus = 3
- 2 previous abortions
- 1 current ongoing abortion
- Total: 3 pregnancy losses before 20 weeks
Important Clarifications
The term "abortion" in obstetric notation refers to any pregnancy loss before 20 weeks gestation, whether spontaneous (miscarriage) or elective 2. This is a clinical term without moral judgment.
Alternative notation systems exist, such as the GTPAL system (Gravida, Term births, Preterm births, Abortions, Living children), but the basic GPA system remains the most widely used standard for documenting reproductive history 3.
The 20-week threshold is the standard cutoff distinguishing abortion from stillbirth in most clinical contexts 2, 4, though this can create ambiguity in the 20-24 week range where definitions may vary by jurisdiction.