In medical terms, what does "gravida" indicate on a patient chart?

The term "gravida" refers specifically to the total number of times a woman has been pregnant, regardless of the outcome of those pregnancies. This includes all pregnancies, whether they resulted in live births, stillbirths, miscarriages, or elective terminations. Therefore, when interpreting a patient chart that includes "gravida," it is important to recognize that it encompasses the entire pregnancy history of the individual, making it a comprehensive indicator of her reproductive status.

This distinction is crucial in medical practice, as it helps clinicians understand the obstetric history of a patient, which can influence care decisions and management of future pregnancies. Understanding gravidity is part of assessing the full obstetric profile, which also includes terms like "parity" that refer specifically to live births.