|
Pregnancy Glossary
of Terms |
| Afterbirth
definition |
The placenta and fetal membranes that are
released from the uterus after birth. |
|
Amniotic fluid
definition |
The fluid bathing
the fetus and serving as a shock absorber - "before a woman
gives birth her waters break" |
| Baby Blues
definition |
A generally temporary and tearful
sadness that a new mother may feel soon after her baby is born |
|
Blood pressure
definition |
The elevation of
blood pressure is called "hypertension". |
|
Braxton-Hicks
Contractions - definition |
Also known as false
labor. Short, painful, infrequent contractions that sometimes
occur from 28 weeks onwards, and may strike several times a day.
|
|
Breech definition |
The baby is bottom
down or feet first rather than head down in the uterus |
|
C-section
definition |
Short for Caesarean
section in which a baby is surgically removed from the uterus. |
|
Dilating pregnancy definition |
The widening and
opening of the cervix caused by contractions. |
|
Pregnancy Due date definition |
The estimated
calendar date when a baby will be born, the date the baby is due
to be born. It is also called the estimated date of confinement
(EDC). |
|
Embryo definition |
Up until the 8th
week of pregnancy, the developing baby is called an embryo. |
|
Fallopian Tubes |
A pair of tubes
attached on each side of the uterus where sperm and egg meet in
normal conception |
|
Fetus definition |
The name given to
the baby in the womb from eight weeks into pregnancy until birth |
| Forceps
Delivery |
Assisted childbirth by means of an
instrument designed to grasp the baby's head. |
|
Induction Of Labor
(IOL) |
The procedure of
starting labor off, usually by inserting prostaglandin into your
vagina or by breaking your waters |
|
Labor definition |
The process of
delivery of the baby through the cervix dilating (opening up)
and contractions of the uterus |
|
Morning sickness
definition |
Early morning
nausea and vomiting - a common symptom experienced during
pregnancy |
|
Oedema definition |
Swelling of
classically the fingers, legs, toes and face |
|
Placenta definition |
A temporary organ
joining the mother and fetus during pregnancy. 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.
|
|
Premature birth
definition |
A birth that takes
place before 37 weeks of gestation have passed. |
| Prolonged
labor definition |
A drawn out labor lasting more than
eighteen to twenty-four hours. |
| Quickening
definition |
Signs of life and movement felt by the
mother as a result of movements by the baby, usually appearing
16–20 weeks of pregnancy |
|
Toxemia definition |
A condition in the
last third trimester of a pregnancy, also known as pre-eclampsia
characterized by a sharp rise in blood pressure), albuminuria
(leakage of large amounts of the protein albumin into the urine)
and oedema (swelling) of the hands, feet, and face.
|
|
Trimester
definition |
Each pregnancy term of a
pregnant woman is divided into three time periods, or
trimesters, that are each about three months in duration - the
first, second, and third trimesters |
|
Ultrasound
definition |
High-frequency
sound waves often used to examine a fetus during pregnancy |
|
Zygote definition |
After a female egg
is fertilized, the bundle of fertilized cells that make up the
embryo before it attaches to the wall of the womb is known as a
zygote |
|
Pregnancy Glossary
of Terms |
