Common Pregnancy and Birth Terms
A Glossary of Terms Pregnant Women Should Know
On top of morning sickness and the constant trips to the bathroom, the number of new vocabulary words you will encounter during pregnancy is dizzying! Although you do not need to go to medical school to prepare for childbirth, it is good to have a general understand of the following pregnancy-related terms. Spend your time enjoying your pregnancy . . . not searching for a dictionary!
Alpha Fetoprotein (AFP) - A protein produced by a growing fetus that is present in amniotic fluid and, in smaller amounts, in the mother's blood.
Amniocentesis - Removal of amniotic fluid by insertion of a needle into the amniotic sac: amniotic fluid is often used to assess fetal health or maturity.
Amniotic Fluid - Liquid surrounding the fetus, composed of secretions from the placenta, fetal urine and other minor constituents.
Amniotic Sac - The sac that surrounds the baby inside the uterus.
Antenatal - Before birth.
APGAR Test - A quick assessment of baby's health at the time of birth based on Appearance (skin complexion), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex to stimulation), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing). Baby's APGAR score will range from 0 (poor) to 10 (normal).
Bag of Waters - The membrane containing the amniotic fluid and the fetus.
Birth Plan - A written outline of a pregnant woman's desires for her labor and delivery process, such as "I would like my birth experience to be as natural as possible" or "I understand why a C-section might be necessary", "I want my family with me at the time of birth" or "I only want medical staff around me". While understanding birth doesn't always follow our plans, a birth plan is a great tool to help educate yourself about your options, organize your thoughts and communicate your expectations with your healthcare provider.
Bloody Show - Small amount of vaginal bleeding late in pregnancy, often precedes labor.
Braxton-Hicks Contractions - The technical name for false labor contractions; tightening of abdominal muscles.
Breech Presentation - Abnormal position of the fetus at birth. Buttocks or legs come into the birth canal before the head.
Centimeter - Unit of measurement used to describe cervical dilation.
Cervical Dilation - Process in which the cervical os and the cervical canal widen from less than a centimeter to approximately 10 cm, allowing delivery of the fetus.
Cervical Os - The small opening of the cervix that dilates during the first stage of labor.
Cervix - The "neck" between the external os and the body of the uterus.
Cesarean Delivery (C-section) - Delivery of the fetus by means of an incision into the abdominal wall and the uterus.
Contraction - Tightening and shortening of the uterus muscles during labor, causing effacement and dilation of the cervix; contributes to the downward and outward descent of the fetus.
Crowning - Appearance of the presenting fetal part (usually the head) at the vaginal opening during birth.
Delivery - Expulsion of the infant with the placenta and membranes from the woman at birth.
EDD - Estimated Date of Delivery.
Effacement - Thinning and shortening of the cervix that occurs late in pregnancy or during labor.
Electronic Fetal Monitoring - A method in which electronic instruments are used to record the heartbeat of the fetus and the contractions of the mother's uterus.
Epidural - Anesthesia that numbs the lower half of the body.
Episiotomy - A surgical incision made into the perineum (the region between the vagina and the anus) to widen the vaginal opening for delivery.
False Labor - Tightening of the uterus without dilation of the cervix.
Fetus - Refers to the unborn baby after twelve weeks of gestation until birth.
Fontanel - In the fetus, an unossified space or soft spot consisting of a strong band of connective tissue lying between the cranial bones of the skull.
Gestation - Period of intrauterine development from conception through birth; pregnancy.
Gestational Diabetes - The occurrence of diabetes during pregnancy (gestation).
Hyperemesis Gravidarum (Morning Sickness) - Severe nausea, dehydration, and vomiting during pregnancy. Occurs most frequently during first trimester.
Induction of Labor - The process of causing or initiating labor by use of medication or artificial rupture of membranes.
Intrapartum - The time from the onset of true labor until the delivery of the infant and placenta.
In Utero - Within the uterus.
LPM, Last Menstrual Period - The last normal menstrual period experienced by the mother prior to pregnancy; sometimes used to calculated the infant's gestational age.
Letdown Reflex - Pattern of stimulation, hormone release, and resulting muscle contraction that forces the milk into the milk ducts, making it available to the infant; milk ejection reflex.
Lightening - Change in the shape of the pregnant uterus a few weeks before labor. Often described as the baby "dropping".
Linea Nigra - Line of increased pigmentation running down the abdomen from the belly button to the pubic area during pregnancy.
Lochia - Maternal discharge of blood, mucus, and tissue from the uterus; may last for several weeks after birth.
Morning Sickness (Hyperemesis Gravidarum) - Nausea and vomiting, with ill health, found primarily during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Mucus Plug - Secretions in cervix; often released just before labor.
Oxytocin - A drug used to bring on contractions.
Pelvis - Lower portion of the trunk of the body bounded by the hip bones, coccyx, and sacrum.
Perineum - The area between the vagina and the rectum that is cut during an episiotomy to help widen the vaginal opening during delivery.
Placenta - Organ inside the uterus that is attached to the baby by the umbilical cord; provides nourishment to and takes away waste from the fetus. It is also called afterbirth.
Post-term Pregnancy - A pregnancy that extends beyond forty two weeks.
Premature Delivery - Delivery before thirty-seven weeks gestation. Also called preterm.
Pudendal Block - Local anesthesia during labor.
Quickening - Feeling the baby move inside the uterus.
Relaxin - A water-soluble protein hormone secreted by the corpus luteum that causes relaxation of the pelvic bones and cervical dilation.
Rupture of Membranes - Loss of fluid from the amniotic sac. Also called "breaking of waters".
Spinal Block - A form of anesthesia that numbs the lower half of the body.
Trimester - Any of the three 3-month periods into which pregnancy is divided.
Umbilical Cord - Cord that connects the placenta to the developing baby. It removes waste products and carbon dioxide from the baby and brings oxygenated blood and nutrients from the mother through the placenta to the baby.
Vernix Caseosa - The whitish, cheesy, waxy substance that coats babies' skin in late pregnancy.
