Obgyn History

Menstrual History

Ask about the onset and pattern of menstruation, and any recent changes. This helps with cycle timing, fertility, and many gynaecological diagnoses.

  • Age at menarche (first period).
  • Cycle length (e.g. 28 days), regular vs irregular.
  • Duration of bleeding (e.g. 4–5 days per cycle).
  • Flow: light / normal / heavy, presence of clots, flooding, need to change pads frequently.
  • Intermenstrual or postcoital bleeding.
  • Dysmenorrhoea: severity, timing, response to analgesia.
  • Any recent change in cycle pattern or symptoms.

Obstetric History

Document previous pregnancies and outcomes. This is vital for risk assessment in the current pregnancy.

  • Number of previous pregnancies, including miscarriages, ectopics and terminations.
  • Number of live births and living children.
  • Gestation of each birth (term / preterm) and mode of delivery (SVD, assisted, LSCS).
  • Any complications in pregnancy, labour or postpartum (e.g. PET, PPH, sepsis, neonatal ICU admission).

Gravidity

Gravidity is the total number of pregnancies, regardless of outcome (including current pregnancy and miscarriages/ectopics/terminations).

Parity

Parity is the number of pregnancies that reached viable gestation (e.g. ≥ 24 weeks), usually counted as births (alive or stillborn).

Common Notation (G and P)

There are different styles. The important thing is to be consistent with your department. A simple system:

  • Gx Py+z where:
    • G = total pregnancies.
    • P = number of births ≥ 24 weeks.
    • y+z = number of abortions / early losses (optional extra detail).

Example 1:
A woman has had 2 live births at term and 2 early miscarriages (all pregnancies completed).

Total pregnancies = 4 → G4
Births ≥ 24 weeks = 2 → P2
Two losses < 24 weeks → often written as G4 P2+2.

Example 2:
Currently pregnant for the first time, no prior pregnancies.

Total pregnancies (including this one) = 1
No previous births ≥ 24 weeks → G1 P0.

Example 3:
A patient has had 6 previous pregnancies and is now pregnant again (total = 7). Past outcomes:

  • 3 full-term births.
  • 1 preterm birth.
  • 2 early miscarriages (< 24 weeks).
  • 2 living children.

Total pregnancies = G7 (including current).
Births ≥ 24 weeks = 4 (3 term + 1 preterm) → P4.

In the 4-number notation (Term–Preterm–Abortions–Living):
P (3–1–2–2).

You can also use the Parity and Gravidity calculator by clicking here.

Contraceptive History

Ask about current and previous contraception, and any problems or failures.

  • Current method (e.g. pill, injection, implant, IUD, condoms, none).
  • Duration of use, adherence, and satisfaction with current method.
  • Previous methods and reasons for stopping (side effects, bleeding changes, access issues).
  • Any history of contraceptive failure and resulting pregnancy.

Sexual History

Take a respectful, non-judgmental sexual history. Explain why you are asking and reassure about confidentiality (within legal limits).

  • Current sexual activity and partners (e.g. single partner, multiple partners).
  • Use of condoms or other protection against STIs.
  • Past or current sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and treatments.
  • Dyspareunia (pain with intercourse), vaginal dryness, postcoital bleeding.
  • Any history of sexual trauma, coercion or concern about safety (handle with care and follow GBV protocols where relevant).

Gynaecological History

Ask about previous diagnoses, symptoms and interventions involving the female reproductive system.

  • Previous pelvic infections (e.g. PID), STIs, or chronic vaginal discharge.
  • Known fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis or polyps.
  • Abnormal cervical smears and follow-up (if available).
  • Any gynaecological operations (e.g. LSCS, myomectomy, hysterectomy, LEEP, oophorectomy).

Family History

Focus on conditions that increase risk in pregnancy or suggest genetic risk.

  • Breast, ovarian, uterine or colon cancer in first-degree relatives.
  • Diabetes, hypertension, pre-eclampsia or eclampsia in close relatives.
  • Recurrent miscarriages, stillbirths, or known genetic disorders.

Expected Delivery Date (EDD) and Symphysis–Fundal Height (SFH)

The EDD is usually calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP), assuming a regular 28-day cycle, or from an early ultrasound. Once gestational age is known, SFH can help assess fetal growth.

  • SFH is measured from the symphysis pubis to the top of the uterine fundus, in centimetres.
  • From about 20 to 36 weeks, the SFH in centimetres usually approximates gestational age in weeks (± 2 cm).
  • Deviations (too small or too large for dates) may suggest growth restriction, multiple pregnancy, polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios or incorrect dates, and should be correlated with ultrasound where available.

Go to this Page to use the EDD Calculator.

This page is a guide to structure your Obgyn history in the ED. Always adapt your questions to the clinical context and to the patient in front of you, and follow local protocols and senior advice.