Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
multipara
Pronunciation: mul-TIP-ah-rah
A woman who has given birth to more than one viable infant.
Full Definition
In obstetric documentation, multipara refers to a woman who has completed two or more pregnancies to the point of fetal viability (typically 20+ weeks gestation). This classification is crucial for risk assessment and care planning. The term appears frequently in medical records and clinical notes where parity status affects treatment protocols. Editors should distinguish this from multigravida, which refers to multiple pregnancies regardless of outcome.
Usage
Usage note: Always verify context to distinguish from multigravida (pregnancy count vs. birth count).
In Context
- "The patient is a 32-year-old multipara presenting with preterm contractions at 34 weeks gestation." — Clinical chart note
- "Multipara status was documented in the obstetric history section." — Medical record review
Also known as
multiparous woman
Contrasted with
primipara
nullipara
Don't confuse with
multigravida
primigravida