What does the "A" in the GTPAL classification stand for?

In the GTPAL classification system, which is commonly used in obstetrics to summarize a woman's obstetric history, the "A" specifically stands for "Abortions." This refers to the number of pregnancies that ended before the 20th week, whether spontaneous (miscarriage) or elective.

Understanding the components of GTPAL is crucial for accurately reporting maternal health history. The full GTPAL breakdown is as follows: "G" represents the total number of pregnancies, "T" stands for the number of term births (greater than or equal to 37 weeks), "P" denotes the number of preterm births (greater than or equal to 20 weeks but less than 37 weeks), "A" is the count of abortions, and "L" signifies the number of living children.

This system provides a comprehensive overview of a woman's reproductive history, which can be useful for clinical assessments and management in obstetric care.