What is defined as "parity" in obstetrics?

Parity in obstetrics refers specifically to the number of pregnancies that have reached a viable gestational age, typically beyond 20 weeks, regardless of the outcome (whether the infant was born alive, stillborn, or resulted in miscarriage afterward). Thus, understanding parity is crucial when assessing a woman's obstetric history, as it reflects her experience with childbirth.

In this context, parity focuses on pregnancies that have reached a stage where the fetus could potentially survive outside the womb, which distinguishes it from merely counting all pregnancies or considering the current pregnancy status. The concept plays an important role in managing care during pregnancy and delivery, as well as in risk assessments for subsequent pregnancies.

This definition aligns well with clinical practices in obstetrics, where knowing how many pregnancies have gone past this critical milestone can help inform decisions regarding prenatal care and monitoring for complications.