What term describes a woman who is pregnant for the first time?

The term that describes a woman who is pregnant for the first time is "primigravida." The prefix "primi-" means first, and "-gravida" refers to a pregnant woman. Therefore, "primigravida" specifically identifies a woman who is experiencing her first pregnancy.

Understanding the distinctions between related terms can clarify the choice of "primigravida." The term "multigravida," for instance, refers to a woman who has been pregnant multiple times, while "nulligravida" indicates a woman who has never been pregnant. "Grandmultipara" is used to describe a woman who has had a high number of pregnancies resulting in viable offspring (typically five or more). By knowing these definitions, it becomes clear why "primigravida" is the precise term for someone pregnant for the first time.