Abruptio placenta: a
complication in pregnancy where there is an abnormal separation of the placenta
from the uterus (after 20 weeks gestation and prior to birth).
Afterpains: the
contractions felt by a breastfeeding mother.
Alpha-fetoprotein screening (AFP): this blood
test measures the levels of a substance called alpha-fetoprotein in the
mother’s blood. Abnormal levels can
indicate a brain or spinal cord defect, the presence of twins, a miscalculated
due date, or an increased risk of Down syndrome.
Amenorrhea: when a
woman does not have periods either ever (after age 16) or they stop as a result
of pregnancy, too much exercise, extreme obesity or not enough body fat, or
emotional distress.
Amniocentesis: if
necessary, this test is performed between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy and can
indicate chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, or genetic disorders
such as Tay Sachs disease, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, and
others. It can also detect the baby’s
sex and risk of spina bifida (a condition in which the brain or spine do no not
develop properly).
Amniotic fluid: clear,
slightly yellowish liquid that surrounds the unborn baby (fetus) during
pregnancy.
Anemia: when the
amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin (the substance in the blood that
carries oxygen to organs) becomes reduced, causing fatigue that can be severe.
Anesthesia: drugs or
substances that cause loss of feeling or awareness. Local anesthetics cause loss of feeling in a part of the
body. General anesthetics put the
person to sleep.
Antibiotics: drugs used
to fight many infections caused by bacteria.
Some antibiotics are effective against only certain types of bacteria;
others can effectively fight a wide range of bacteria. Antibiotics do not work against viral
infections.
Antibody: a protein
produced by white blood cells to fight bacteria, viruses, and other foreign
substances.
APGAR score: a method
used to quickly assess the health of newborn children immediately after
childbirth. The test is generally done
at one and five minutes after birth, and may be repeated later if the score is
and remains low. Scores below 3 are generally regarded as critically low, 4 to
7 fairly low, and over 7 generally normal.
A low score on the one-minute test may show that the neonate requires
medical attention but is not necessarily an indication that there will be
long-term problems, particularly if there is an improvement by the stage of the
five-minute test.
Areola: the
dark-colored skin on the breast that surrounds the nipple.
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): the most
common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age, which happens when the
normal bacteria (germs) in the vagina get out of balance, such as from douching
or from sexual contact. Symptoms
include vaginal discharge that can be white, gray, or thin and have an odor;
burning or pain when urinating; or itching around the outside of the
vagina. There also may be no symptoms.
Bilirubin: when the
hemoglobin in a person’s blood breaks down, causing a yellowing of the skin and
whites of the eyes. It is a temporary
condition in newborn infants.
Birth defect: a problem
that happens while the baby is developing in the mother’s body. It may affect how the body looks, works or
both. It can be found before birth, at
birth, or anytime after birth. Birth
defects can vary from mild to severe.
Bloody show: a small
amount of blood or blood-tinged mucus that passes through the vagina near the
end of pregnancy.
Bradley method: a method
of childbirth that believes that with adequate preparation and education along
with help from a loving, supportive coach, most women can give birth naturally
- without drugs or surgery. The Bradley Method emphasizes measures that can be
taken to stay healthy and low-risk to help avoid complications that may lead to
medical intervention.
Breastfeeding: the
feeding of an infant or young child with milk from a woman’s breast. Babies have a sucking reflex that enables
them to suck and swallow milk.
Breech presentation: refers to
the position of the baby in the uterus such that it will be delivered buttocks
first as opposed to the normal head first position.
Cephalopelvic disproportion: a
complication of childbirth when the head of the baby is too large for the
pelvis.
Cervix: the lower,
narrow part of the uterus (womb). The
cervix forms a canal that opens into the vagina, which leads to the outside of
the body.
Cesarean (C-section): procedure
where the baby is delivered through an abdominal incision.
Chlamydia: a common
sexually transmitted disease (STD).
Most people have no symptoms, but Chlamydia can cause serious damage to
a woman’s reproductive organs. Symptoms
of Chlamydia include thin vaginal discharge and burning when urinating. Long-term irritation may cause lower
abdominal pain, inflammation of the pelvic organs, and pelvic inflammatory
disease (PID).
Circumcision: a surgical
procedure that removes the foreskin from the penis of a newborn male
infant.
Cleft lip and palate: congenital
abnormalities (present at birth) that affect the upper lip and the hard and
soft palate of the mouth. Features
range from a small notch in the lip to a complete “groove” extending into the
roof of the mouth and nose. These
features may occur separately or together. A cleft lip and/or palate can cause problems for the affected
infant with regard to feeding and learning to speak.
Colostrum: thick,
yellowish fluid secreted from the breast during pregnancy, and the first few
days after childbirth before the onset of mature breast milk. Also called “first milk,” it provides
nutrients and protection against infectious diseases.
Contractions: during the
birthing process, a woman’s uterus tightens, or contracts. Contractions can be strong and regular
(meaning that they can happen every 5 minutes, every 3 minutes, and so on)
during labor until the baby is delivered.
Women can have contractions before labor starts; these are not regular
and do not progress, or increase in intensity or duration.
Cord prolapse: when the umbilical cord presents itself outside of
the uterus while the fetus is still inside.
It is considered an obstetric emergency during pregnancy or labor that
endangers the life of the baby.
Cystic fibrosis: one of the
most common serious genetic (inherited) diseases. Cystic fibrosis causes the body to make abnormal secretions
leading to mucous build-up. Cystic
fibrosis mucous build-up can impair organs such as the pancreas, the intestine
and the lungs.
Diabetes: a disease
in which blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are above normal. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of
diabetes.
Dilation: the
opening of the cervix during childbirth.
D&C:
abbreviation that stands for Dilation and Curettage. This refers to the dilation (opening) of the
cervix and surgical removal of the contents of the uterus.
Doula: a
non-medical assistant who provides physical, emotional and informational support
in prenatal care, during childbirth and during the postpartum period.
Down syndrome: Down
syndrome is the most frequent genetic cause for mild to moderate mental
retardation and related medical problems.
It is caused by a chromosomal abnormality. For an unknown reason, a change in cell growth results in 47
instead of the usual 46 chromosomes. The
extra chromosome usually causes mental and physical abnormalities.
Ectopic Pregnancy: a
pregnancy that is not in the uterus. It
happens when a fertilized egg settles and grows in a place other than the inner
lining of the uterus. Most happen in
the fallopian tube, but can happen in the ovary, cervix, or abdominal cavity.
Effacement: the
shortening, or thinning, of the cervix before or during early labor.
Endometriosis: a
condition in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows in other areas
of the body, usually inside the abdominal cavity, but acts as if it were inside
the uterus. Blood shed monthly from the
misplaced tissue has no place to go, and tissues surrounding the area of
endometriosis may become inflamed or swollen.
This can produce scar tissue.
Symptoms include painful menstrual cramps that can be felt in the
abdomen or lower back, or pain during or after sexual activity, irregular
bleeding, and infertility.
Endometrium: The lining
of the uterus.
Engorgement: condition
in which breasts become overly full of milk.
Engorged breasts may feel swollen, hard, and painful. Engorgement can lead to blocked milk ducts.
Epidural: a type of
anesthesia offered to women in labor. A
needle is inserted into the epidural space at the end of the spine and
medication is given to numb the lower body and reduce pain.
Episiotomy: a
procedure where an incision is made in the perineum (area between the vagina
and the anus) to make the vaginal opening larger in order to prevent the area
from tearing during delivery.
Estrogen: a group of
female hormones that is responsible for the development of breasts and other
secondary sex characteristics in women.
Estrogen is produced by the ovaries and other body tissues. Estrogen, along with progesterone, is
important in preparing a woman’s body for pregnancy.
Fetal alcohol syndrome: one of the
most severe effects of drinking during pregnancy. Fetal Alcohol syndrome (FAS) is one of the leading known
preventable causes of mental retardation and birth defects. If a woman drinks alcohol during her
pregnancy, her baby can be born with FAS, a lifelong condition that causes
physical and mental disabilities. FAS
is characterized by abnormal facial features, growth deficiencies, and central
nervous system problems. FAS is a
permanent condition.
Fetal distress: when the
fetus, during the labor process, shows signs of stress (not handling the labor
process well). One possible sign of fetal distress is a decreased fetal heart
rate. Another sign may be meconium in
the amniotic fluid.
Fontanelles: soft spots
on a baby's head which, during birth, enable the soft bony plates of the skull
to flex, allowing the head to pass through the birth canal. Fontanelles are
usually completely hardened by a child's second birthday.
Fraternal twin: a
non-identical twin. Usually occurs when
two fertilized eggs are implanted in the uterine wall at the same time. Fraternal twins have an extremely small chance of having the
exact same chromosome profile. Like any other siblings, fraternal twins may
look very similar, particularly given that they are the same age. However,
fraternal twins may also look very different from each other. They may be
different sexes or the same sex. The same holds true for brothers and sisters
from the same parents, meaning that fraternal twins are simply brothers and/or
sisters who happen to have the same age.
Fundal height: a measure
of the size of the uterus used to assess fetal growth and development. It is
measured from the top of the pubic bone to the top of the uterus in
centimeters. It should match the fetus’ gestational age in weeks within 1 to 3
cm, e.g., a pregnant woman's uterus at 22 weeks should measure 19 to 25 cm.
Genital herpes: An STD
caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2).
Gestational age: the age of
an embryo or fetus (or newborn infant) from the first day of the woman's last
menstrual period (LMP) to the current date.
Gonorrhea: a sexually
transmitted disease (STD) that often has no symptoms. However, some women have pain or burning when urinating;
yellowish and sometimes bloody vaginal discharge; bleeding between menstrual
periods; heavy bleeding with periods; or pain when having sex. Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious and
permanent health problems like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Hemorrhoids: veins
around the anus or lower rectum that are swollen and inflamed.
Hepatitis B: a serious
disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of
the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. You get hepatitis B by direct contact with the blood or body
fluids of an infected person: for instance, you can become infected by having
sex or sharing needles with an infected person. A baby can get hepatitis B from an infected mother during
childbirth.
Hernia: a
protusion of a tissue, structure, or part of an organ through the muscular
tissue or the membrane by which it is normally contained.
High blood pressure: also known
as hypertension. Blood pressure is
considered high when it is greater than 140/90.
Human chorionic gonadotrophin
(hCG): a hormone produced in pregnancy. Pregnancy tests (urine and blood) measure
the levels of this hormone to indicate the presence or absence of an implanted
embryo.
HIV: the virus
that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). HIV infection can produce no symptoms for
many years. When certain symptoms
develop, as person has AIDS. HIV
infection is life-long, there is no cure.
Hyperemesis: a severe
form of morning sickness, with unrelenting,
excessive pregnancy-related nausea and/or vomiting that prevents adequate
intake of food and fluids.
Hypertension: also known as high blood pressure. Blood pressure readings of greater than
140/90 are considered high (hypertension).
Identical twin: a single
egg is fertilized to form one zygote which then divides into two separate
embryos. Although their traits and
physical appearances are not exactly the same due to environmental conditions
both in and outside the womb, they do have the same DNA.
Incompetent cervix: a
circumstance where a pregnant woman’s cervix begins to dilate (widen) and
efface (thin) before her pregnancy has reached term.
Induced labor: starting
labor in a pregnant woman using artificial means (as opposed to labor occurring
naturally/on its own). One way to
induce labor is with the use of a medication such as Pitocin.
Jaundice: it is the
yellow color seen in the skin of many newborns. Jaundice happens when a chemical called Bilirubin builds up in
the baby’s blood. If not treated, high
levels of Bilirubin can cause brain damage.
Kegels: exercises
designed to strengthen and give voluntary control over the pubococcygeus
muscles (muscles that help with urinary control and childbirth) .
Labor:
culmination of a pregnancy or gestation period with the delivery of one
or more newborn infants from the mother’s uterus.
Lactation consultant: a
professional who is trained to help mothers who want to breastfeed their
babies.
Lamaze: a type of
childbirth education. The goal of
Lamaze classes is to increase women’s confidence in their ability to give
birth. Lamaze classes teach women
simple coping strategies for labor, including focused breathing. Lamaze also teaches about other things that
may help a woman in labor, such as movement, positioning, labor support,
massage, relaxation, water therapy and the use of heat and cold.
Large for gestational age: a baby
whose birth weight lies above the 90th percentile for that gestational age.
Linea nigra: refers to
the dark vertical line that appears on the abdomen during pregnancy..
Local anesthetic / analgesic: an
analgesic is a drug that relieves pain.
Pain-relieving drugs can be given to a woman during labor and delivery
through a needle inserted into a muscle or under the skin. A local anesthetic prevents the recipient
from feeling pain in a targeted area.
Lochia: a
postpartum vaginal discharge, containing blood, mucous, and placental
tissue. Lochia discharge typically
continues for 4 to 6 weeks after childbirth.
Meconium: the first
stool of an infant composed of materials ingested during the time the infant
spends in the uterus.
Menses (menstruation): the blood
flow from the uterus that happens about every 4 weeks in a woman.
Miscarriage: an
unplanned loss of a pregnancy. Also
called a spontaneous abortion.
Mittelschmerz: lower
abdominal and pelvic pain that occurs roughly midway through a woman's
menstrual cycle. The pain can appear suddenly and usually subsides within
hours. It is also known as “ovulation
pain” or “midcycle pain.”
Multigravida: a woman
who has been pregnant more than one time.
Natural birth: a
childbirth philosophy that attempts to minimize medical intervention,
particularly the use of anesthetic medications and surgical interventions such
as episiotomies, forceps, and caesarean sections.
Neonatal: relating
to the first 28 days of an infants life.
Neural tube defect: a major
birth defect caused by abnormal development of the neural tube, or the
structure in an embryo which develops into the brain and spinal cord. Neural tube defects are among the most
common birth defects that cause infant death and serious disability. The most common neural tube defects are
anencephaly, spina bifida, and encephalocele.
Obstetrician: a medical
doctor that specializes in the care of a woman during her pregnancy, childbirth
and for a short amount of time after childbirth.
Ovaries: part of a
woman’s reproductive system, the ovaries produce her eggs. Each month the ovaries release eggs. If an egg is fertilized by a man’s sperm, a
woman becomes pregnant. If the egg is
not fertilized, the egg and the lining of the uterus are shed during a woman’s
monthly menstrual period.
Ovulation: When the
ovaries release an egg, about once each month, as part of the menstrual cycle.
Placenta: during
pregnancy, a temporary organ joining the mother and fetus. The placenta transfers oxygen and nutrients
from the mother to the fetus, and permits the release of carbon dioxide and
waste products from the fetus. The
placenta is expelled during the birth process with the fetal membranes.
Placenta previa: the
implantation of the placenta over or near the top of the cervix.
Preconception: before a
woman gets pregnant.
Pre-eclampsia: also known
as Toxemia, it is a condition that can occur in a woman in the second half of
her pregnancy that can cause serious problems for both her and the baby. It causes high blood pressure, protein in
the urine, blood changes and other problems.
Pregnancy test: a urine or
blood test given to a woman to determine whether or not she is pregnant.
Premature rupture of membranes
(PROM): a condition which occurs in pregnancy when
the amniotic sac ruptures before the onset of labor.
Preterm labor: labor that
occurs before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy.
Primigravida: a woman
who is pregnant for the first time or has been pregnant one time.
Progesterone: a female
hormone produced by the ovaries.
Progesterone, along with estrogen, prepares the uterus (womb) for a
possible pregnancy each month and supports the fertilized egg is conception
occurs. Progesterone also helps prepare
the breasts for milk production and breastfeeding.
Prolapsed cord: it is when
the umbilical cord presents itself outside of the uterus while the fetus is
still inside. Cord prolapse is an obstetric emergency during pregnancy or labor
that endangers the life of the baby.
Quickening: the
initial motion of the fetus in the womb as it is perceived or felt by a
pregnant woman. The first natural
sensation of quickening may feel like a light tapping, or the fluttering of a
butterfly. These sensations eventually become stronger and more regular as the
pregnancy progresses. Sometimes, the first movements are misattributed to gas
or hunger pangs.
Small for gestational age (SGA): a baby
whose birth weight lies below the 10th percentile for that gestational age.
Sperm: Cell found
in semen that can get a woman pregnant.
Spina bifida: a birth
defect in which there is a failure of a fetal spine to close the right way when
it is developing before birth. It
occurs very early in pregnancy, roughly 3-4 weeks after conception, before most
women know that they are pregnant. Most
women who bear a child with Spina bifida have no family history of it.
Spontaneous abortion: an
unplanned loss of a pregnancy. Also
called a miscarriage.
Stillbirth: when a
fetus dies during birth, or when the fetus dies during the late stages of
pregnancy when it would have been otherwise expected to survive.
Stretch marks: red, pink,
or purple streaks in the skin. Most often they appear on the thighs, buttocks,
abdomen, and breasts. These scars are caused by the stretching of the skin, and
usually appear in the second half of pregnancy.
Sudden infant death syndrome
(SIDS): the diagnosis given for the sudden death of
an infant under one year of age that remains unexplained after a complete
investigation. Because most cases of
SIDS occur when a baby is sleeping in a crib, SIDS is also commonly known as
crib death. Most SIDS deaths occur when
a baby is between 1 and 4 months of age.
Syphilis: a sexually
transmitted disease which may or may not have symptoms. Symptoms in the first stages can include
painless sores on the genitals, anus, or mouth and enlarged lymph nodes in the
area around the sore. Syphilis can be
cured with antibiotics. If left
untreated, syphilis can cause permanent physical damage and even death.
Threatened miscarriage: describes
any bleeding seen during pregnancy, prior to viability, which has yet to be
assessed further.
Toxemia: also known
as pre-eclampsia, it is a condition that can occur in a woman in the second
half of her pregnancy that can cause serious problems for both her and the
baby. It causes high blood pressure,
protein in the urine, blood changes and other problems.
Toxoplasmosis: an
infection caused by a parasite that can invade tissues and damage the brain,
especially in a fetus and in a newborn baby.
Can be contracted by touching the hands to the mouth after gardening,
cleaning a cat’s littler box, or anything that came into contact with cat
feces; or by eating raw or partly cooked meat, or touching the hands to the
mouth after touching raw or undercooked meat.
Symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, swollen lymph glands, and
muscle aches and pains.
Trichomoniasis: a very
common sexually transmitted disease in both women and men that is passed from
one person to another during sexual contact.
It also can be passed through contact with damp, moist objects such as
towels or wet clothing. Symptoms
include yellow, green, or gray vaginal discharge (often foamy) with a strong
odor; discomfort during sex and when urinating; irritation and itching of the
genital area; or lower abdominal pain (rare).
Trimester: a typical
pregnancy is 9 months long. Pregnancy
is divided into three time periods, or trimesters, that are each about three
months in duration – the first, second, and third trimesters.
Triple screen: a blood
test that indicates if there’s an increased risk of a birth defect, or a
condition like Down syndrome, in the fetus.
This test can also show twins.
Trisomy 18: a
condition in which a baby is conceived with three copies instead of the normal
two copies of chromosome #18. Children
with this condition have multiple malformations and mental retardation. Some of the problems include: low birth weight, small head, small jaw,
malformations of the heart and kidneys, clenched fists with abnormal finger
positioning, and malformed feet. The
mental retardation is severe.
Tubal pregnancy: a
complication of pregnancy in which the fertilized ovum implants itself in the
Fallopian tube.
Ultrasound: a
painless, harmless test that uses sound waves to produce images of the organs
and structures of the body on a screen.
Also called sonography.
Umbilical cord: connected
to the placenta and provides the transfer of nutrients and waste between the
woman and the fetus.
Urinary tract infection: an
infection anywhere in the urinary tract, or organs that collect and store urine
and release it from your body (the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and
urethra). An infection occurs when
microorganisms, usually bacteria from the digestive tract, cling to the urethra
(opening to the urinary tract) and begin to multiply.
Uterus: a woman’s
womb, or the hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a woman’s lower abdomen
between the bladder and the rectum.
Vaccine: medicine
that protects the body from the disease.
Vagina: the
muscular canal that extends from the cervix to the outside of the body. Its walls are lined with mucus membranes and
tiny glands that make vaginal secretions.
VBAC: vaginal birth after previous cesarean section.
Vernix: the waxy
or “cheesy” white substance that coats the skin of newborn humans.
Vulva: opening to
the vagina.
Yeast infections: a common
infection in women caused by an overgrowth of the fungus Candida. It is normal to have some yeast in your
vagina, but sometimes it can overgrow because of hormonal changes in your body,
such as pregnancy, or from taking certain medications, such as
antibiotics. Symptoms include itching,
burning, and irritation of the vagina; pain when urinating or with intercourse;
and cottage cheese-looking vaginal discharge.
