What does primipara mean?
Primipara is an obstetrical term for a woman who is pregnant for the first time or is giving birth for the first time. It may refer to a woman during pregnancy, labour, or the immediate postnatal period, although its use is especially associated with the management of childbirth. The word is formal and technical, so speakers usually say “first-time mother” in everyday conversation. Primipara is also distinguished from nullipara, a woman who has never given birth, and multipara, a woman who has given birth previously. In clinical contexts, terms such as “true primipara” and “high-risk primipara” help describe a patient’s reproductive history and associated care needs. Although the word is primarily used for human patients, it reflects the older medical vocabulary of childbirth and is valued for its exactness in records and professional discussion.
nounA woman who is pregnant for the first time or is giving birth for the first time. The term is used primarily in obstetrics and midwifery.
- A woman who is pregnant for the first time or undergoing her first childbirth.
"The midwife provided reassurance to the primipara during her first labour."
"At the antenatal clinic, the primipara was advised about the stages of labour."
"The medical record identified the patient as a primipara with no previous pregnancies."
The plural is used in clinical and medical writing but is uncommon in general conversation.
"The study compared outcomes for primiparas with those for women who had given birth previously."
Primipara comes from Latin words meaning “first” and “to bring forth,” making the word a precise historical label for a first birth.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does primipara come from?
Primipara comes from Latin, combining prima, meaning “first,” with parere, meaning “to bring forth” or “give birth.” It entered English through medical usage, where it became a standard term for a woman experiencing a first pregnancy or birth. The same Latin roots are reflected in English words such as prime, primary, primitive, and parent.
Related word forms
How primipara is actually used
Primipara is a formal medical term, chiefly used in obstetrics, midwifery, and clinical records. In general conversation, “first-time mother” or “first-time parent” is more natural.
Easily confused with primipara
A primipara is pregnant with or giving birth to her first child, whereas a multipara has given birth previously.
A primipara is experiencing her first pregnancy or birth, while a nullipara has never given birth.