As you embark on your pregnancy journey, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with important labor and birth terminology. Here’s a breakdown of key terms you should know:
Abruptio Placenta (Placental Abruption): This occurs when the placenta detaches from the uterine wall before delivery, posing risks to both mother and baby.
Amniotic Fluid: This protective fluid, mainly composed of fetal urine and water, fills the sac surrounding the fetus, providing a cushion during pregnancy.
APGAR: This assessment tool measures a newborn’s initial response to life outside the womb. The APGAR score evaluates five criteria: Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflexes), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing). Scores are assigned at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, with totals ranging from 1 to 10.
Breech Presentation: This term describes when the baby is positioned to be born feet or buttocks first rather than head first.
Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD): A situation where the baby is too large to safely pass through the mother’s pelvis.
Cervidil: A medication used to help ripen the cervix in preparation for labor induction.
Cesarean Section (C-Section): A surgical procedure that involves making an incision through the abdominal and uterine walls to deliver the baby. This can be performed as either a vertical or horizontal incision.
Colostrum: This is the early milk produced by the breasts, often appearing as a thin, white fluid in the final weeks of pregnancy.
Complete Breech: A type of breech presentation where the baby’s buttocks are at the cervix, but the legs are folded “Indian style,” complicating vaginal delivery.
Contraction: The rhythmic tightening of the uterus that aids in pushing the baby down the birth canal.
Crowning: This term indicates that the baby’s head has descended through the birth canal and remains visible at the vaginal opening.
Dilation: The measure of how much the cervix has opened in preparation for childbirth, which is evaluated in centimeters with full dilation at 10 centimeters.
Effacement: Refers to the thinning of the cervix in preparation for birth, expressed as a percentage, with 100% being fully effaced, indicating readiness for pushing.
Engaged: The position where the baby’s presenting part, typically the head, has settled into the pelvic cavity, usually occurring in the last month of pregnancy.
Epidural: A widely-used anesthesia method during labor that involves inserting a catheter into the epidural space near the spinal cord.
Episiotomy: A surgical incision made in the perineum to enlarge the vaginal opening for delivery.
Fetal Distress: A condition indicating that the baby is not receiving adequate oxygen or is facing complications.
Fontanelle: The soft spots between the sections of the baby’s skull which allow for compression during delivery.
Forceps: A tong-like instrument used to assist in guiding the baby’s head out of the birth canal.
Frank Breech: A breech position where the baby’s buttocks present at the cervix, and the legs are straightened upwards towards the head.
Incontinence: The inability to control urination, which can happen as the baby exerts pressure on the bladder.
Induced Labor: Labor that is started or accelerated through medical interventions such as prostaglandin gel, an IV drip of oxytocin (Pitocin), or membrane rupture.
Jaundice: A common condition in newborns marked by yellowing of the skin due to an immature liver unable to process excess red blood cells.
Labor: Defined as the regular contractions of the uterus leading to the dilation and effacement of the cervix.
Lightening: The term used when the baby drops into the pelvis in preparation for delivery.
Meconium: A greenish substance that accumulates in the baby’s bowels and is typically expelled shortly after birth.
Neonatologist: A medical specialist who focuses on the care of newborns.
NICU: Stands for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where critically ill newborns receive specialized care.
Nubain: A synthetic narcotic pain relief medication commonly used during labor.
Oxytocin: A hormone released by the pituitary gland that triggers contractions and the milk-eject reflex. Pitocin is its synthetic counterpart.
Perineum: The area of muscle and tissue between the vagina and rectum.
Phenergan: A sedative used to control nausea and vomiting during labor.
Placenta: The organ that connects the mother to the fetus, allowing for nutrient transport and waste elimination.
Placenta Previa: A condition where the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix.
Posterior Presentation: Indicates that the baby is facing up during delivery; the normal presentation is anterior (face down).
Postpartum: The phase following childbirth.
Post-Term: A term for pregnancies that extend beyond 42 weeks.
Preterm: Refers to babies born before 37 weeks of gestation.
Prostaglandin Cream: A medication applied to prepare the cervix for induction.
Ruptured Membranes: Refers to the breaking of the amniotic sac, which may result in a gush or a slow leak of fluid, sometimes mistaken for incontinence.
Speculum: An instrument that helps widen the vagina for better visibility of the cervix.
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