What does the term Para refer to?

The term "Para" specifically refers to the number of pregnancies that have been carried to a viable gestational age, typically defined as 20 weeks or more. This includes pregnancies that resulted in live births as well as those that resulted in stillbirths. It helps in understanding a woman's obstetric history, particularly in differentiating between total pregnancies and those that progressed to a point where the fetus could potentially survive outside the womb.

Thus, the definition is crucial for medical professionals in assessing maternal and fetal health, as well as in planning for future pregnancies. Understanding "Para" helps in the clinical setting, guiding decisions based on a woman's reproductive health history. The other options describe different aspects of pregnancy and childbirth, such as the total number of pregnancies or the number of live births and prenatal visits, but they do not capture the specific meaning of "Para" in obstetrics.