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From: Sharp, Ann< >
Subject: Re: Royals stretch us all!!
Date: 29 Dec 1998 09:19:40 -0800


Stacey,

"primae gravidae" is Latin for "first pregnancies" or "women
pregnant for the first time" -- this is the plural; it's more usual to speak
of one woman at a time, in which case use the singular "prima gravida."
After the baby arrives, the woman is "primapara" (abbreviated in modern
medical jargon to "prime-ip." It reflects extra concern and anxiety for a
first-time mother; a woman who is "multipara" has survived a birth which
tends to reduce the varieties of possible disaster.)

A. Sharp

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> What's a "primae gravidae"? Remember, not all of us speak Latin
> (as much as we'd like to perhaps).
> Stacey
>

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