Gravida vs. Para — What's the Difference?

Gravida is a term used in the medical field, specifically in obstetrics, to refer to the total number of times a woman has been pregnant, regardless of the outcome. This includes current pregnancies, miscarriages, abortions, and stillbirths. Para, on the other hand, is used to denote the number of pregnancies that have progressed to the point of a viable birth, which can include single or multiple births.

Gravida includes all pregnancies, even if they do not reach full term or if the woman is currently pregnant. It is a count of conception events. Para, in contrast, includes only those pregnancies where the fetus or fetuses have been delivered and have reached a stage of development to survive outside the womb, which typically is around 24 weeks of gestation or later.

In the context of a patient's history, a healthcare provider may denote gravida and para with numbers following each term, such as G3P2. Here, 'G3' would indicate that the woman has been pregnant three times (Gravida 3), and 'P2' would mean she has had two deliveries past 20 weeks gestation (Para 2). Para does not include the details of whether the births were vaginal or cesarean, nor the health of the neonates after delivery.

Understanding the difference between gravida and para is crucial for healthcare providers as it gives quick insight into a woman's obstetric history. For example, a woman who is gravida 2 para 1 (G2P1) has been pregnant twice; one pregnancy resulted in a birth and the current pregnancy has not yet resulted in a birth. This can be important information for assessing potential risks in the current pregnancy.

Lastly, while gravida can give an idea of a woman's experience with pregnancy, para provides more specific information about her experience with childbirth. A high gravida number may indicate a history of fertility issues or pregnancy complications, whereas a high para number suggests the woman has carried multiple pregnancies to a viable gestational age.