In GTPAL, P stands for Preterm births.

• A. Parity
• B. Preterm births
• C. Pregnant
• D. Partial births

Answer: (B)

GTPAL summarizes a woman’s obstetric history by classifying pregnancies according to how far they progressed. The P in this acronym specifically counts the number of preterm births, defined as deliveries before 37 completed weeks of gestation. This distinction matters because outcomes at different gestational ages carry different risks and care needs, and it lets clinicians quickly compare past pregnancies to the current one.

So, the reason this is the best choice is that preterm births are the outcome category the P represents, separate from term births, abortions, and living children. The other terms don’t fit: parity is a separate concept about the total number of pregnancies carried to a viable gestational age, current pregnancy status isn’t part of GTPAL, and partial births is not a standard obstetric category used in this notation.