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The Baby Website - Baby terms Category: Health and Medicine > Baby health Date & country: 17/02/2017, USA Words: 241

Vertex presentation
Head first.

D&C
(dilatation and curettage) Surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated, the lining of the uterus is scraped, and the uterine cavity is emptied.

L/S ratio
Measurement of the relationship of two substances, lecithin and spingomyelin, in the amniotic fluid. Results give a doctor an indication of the maturity of the baby's lungs.

Varicose veins
Blood vessels (veins) that are dilated or enlarged, most often found in the legs.

VBAC
Vaginal birth after Cesarean.

Vena cava
Major vein in the body that empties into the right atrium of the heart. It returns unoxygenated blood to the heart for transport to the lungs.

Vernix
Fatty substance made up of epithelial cells that covers fetal skin inside the uterus.

Umbilicus
Bellybutton.

Ureters
Tubes that drain urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

Uterus
Organ in which an embryo/fetus grows. Also called a womb.

Vaccine
Dose of medication given to a person to cause production of antibodies to protect against subsequent infections.

Vacuum extractor
Soft rubber device used to provide traction on fetal head to aid in delivery.

Transverse lie
Situation in which fetus is turned sideways in uterus.

Trichomonal vaginitis
Venereal infection caused by trichomonas.

Trimester
Method of dividing pregnancy into three equal time periods of about 13 weeks each.

Umbilical cord
Cord containing blood vessels 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.

Toxoplasmosis
Infection caused by toxoplasma gondii. Can be contracted from handling raw meat or cat feces.

Toxic strep A
Bacterial infection that can cause severe damage; usually starts in a cut on the skin, not as a sore throat, and spreads very quickly. It can involve the entire body.

Thyroid disease
Abnormality of the thyroid gland and its production of thyroid hormone. Also see hyperthyroidism; hypothyroidism.

Thyroid hormone
Chemical made in the thyroid that affects the entire body.

Thyroid panel
Series of blood tests done to evaluate the function of the thyroid gland.

Thyroid stimulating hormone
(TSH) Hormone made in the brain that stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroid hormone.

Tocolytic agents
Medications to stop labor.

Thrush
Monilial or yeast infection occurring in the mouth or mucous membranes of a newborn infant.

Teratogen
A substance that causes abnormal development.

Teratology
Branch of science that deals with teratogens and their effects.

Thalassemia
Group of inherited disorders of hemoglobin metabolism, which results in a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin formed. Found most commonly in people of Mediterranean descent.

Threatened miscarriage
Bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy without cramping or contractions.

Thrombosis
Formation of a blood clot (thrombus).

Systemic lupus erythematosus
(SLE) Connective-tissue disorder common in women in the reproductive ages. Antibodies made by the person act against person's own tissues.

Tay-Sachs disease
Inherited disease characterized by mental and physical retardation, convulsions, enlargement of the head and eventual death. Trait is usually carried by Ashkenazi Jews.

Telangiectasias
Dilation or swelling of a small blood vessel. Sometimes called an angioma. During pregnancy, a common name is spider angioma.

Stress test
Test in which mild contractions of the mother's uterus are induced; fetal heart rate in response to the contractions is noted.

Stretch marks
Areas of the skin that are torn or stretched. Often occur on the mother's abdomen, breasts, buttocks and legs.

Surfactant
Substance in the lungs that controls surface tension of lungs. Premature babies often lack sufficient amounts of surfactant to breathe without assistance.

Syphilis
Sexually transmitted venereal infection.

Stillbirth
Death of baby before it is born, after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Spinal anesthesia
Anesthesia given in the spinal canal.

Spontaneous miscarriage
Loss of pregnancy during the first 20 weeks of gestation.

Stasis
Decreased flow.

Station
Estimation of the descent of the baby in the birth canal.

Steroids
Medications of hormone origin used to treat various diseases. Include estrogen, testosterone, progesterone and prednisone.

Spina bifida
Congenital abnormality characterized by a defect in the vertebral column. Membranes of the spinal cord and the spinal cord itself protrude outside the protective bony canal of the spine.

Sodium
Element found in many foods, particularly salt. Ingestion of too much sodium may cause fluid retention.

Skin tag
Flap or extra buildup of skin.

Sickle-cell trait
Presence of the trait for sickle-cell anemia; not sickle-cell disease itself.

Sickle-cell anemia
Anemia caused by abnormal red blood cells shaped like a sickle or a cylinder. Occurs most often in people of African or Mediterranean descent.

Sickle crisis
Painful episode caused by sickle-cell disease.

Round-ligament pain
Pain caused by stretching of the ligaments on either side of the uterus during pregnancy.

Rupture of membranes
Loss of fluid from the amniotic sac. Also called breaking of waters.

Seizure
Sudden onset of a convulsion.

Sexually transmitted disease
(STD) Infection transmitted through sexual intercourse.

Pyelonephritis
Serious kidney infection.

Quickening
Feeling the baby move inside the uterus.

Radiation therapy
Method of treatment for various cancers.

Rh-negative
Absence of rhesus antibody in the blood.

RhoGAM
Medication given during pregnancy and following delivery to prevent isoimmunization. Also see isoimmunization.

Pulmonary embolism
Blood clot from another part of the body that travels to the lungs. Can cause closed passages in the lungs and a decrease in oxygen exchange.

Pruritis gravidarum
Itching during pregnancy.

Pubis symphysis
Bony prominence in the pelvic bone found in the midline. Landmark from which the doctor often measures during pregnancy to follow growth of the uterus.

Pudendal block
Local anesthesia for pain relief during labor.

Proteinuria
Protein in urine.

Propylthiouracil
Medication used to treat thyroid disease.

Pre-eclampsia
Combination of symptoms significant to pregnancy, including high blood pressure, edema, protein in the urine and changes in reflexes.

Premature delivery
Delivery before 38 weeks gestation.

Prenatal care
Program of care for a pregnant woman before the birth of her baby.

Prepared childbirth
Term used when woman has taken classes to know what to expect during labor and delivery. She may request pain medication if she feels she needs it.

Presentation
Describes which part of the baby comes into the birth canal first.

Postmature baby
Pregnancy of more than 42 weeks gestation.

Postpartum blues
Mild depression after delivery.

Postpartum depression
Depression after delivery.

Postpartum hemorrhage
Bleeding greater than 17 ounces (500ml) at time of delivery.

Postdate birth
Baby born 2 weeks or more past its due date.

Placenta
Organ inside the uterus that is attached to the baby by the umbilical cord. Essential during pregnancy for growth and development of the embryo and fetus. Also called afterbirth when it is expelled following birth of baby.

Placenta previa
Low attachment of the placenta, very close to or covering the cervix.

Placental abruption
Premature separation of the placenta from the uterus.

Pneumonitis
Inflammation of the lungs.

Phototherapy
Treatment for jaundice in a newborn infant. See jaundice.

Phospholipids
Fat-containing phosphorous compounds. The most important are lecithins and sphingomyelin, which are important in the maturation of fetal lungs before birth,

Perineum
Area between the anus and the vagina.

Phosphatidyl glycerol
Lipoprotein present in amniotic fluid when fetal lungs are mature.

Pap smear
Routine screening test that evaluates presence of premalignant or cancerous conditions of the cervix.

Paracervical block
Local anesthetic for the relief of pain of cervical dilation.

Pediatrician
Physician who specializes in the care of infants and children.

Perinatologist
Physician who specializes in the care of high-risk pregnancies.

Palmar erythema
Redness of palms of the hands.

Oxytocin
Medication that causes uterine contractions; used to induce labour.

Ovulation
Cyclic production of an egg from the ovary.

Oligohydramnios
Lack or deficiency of amniotic fluid.

Opioids
Synthetic compounds with effects similar to those of opium.

Ovarian cycle
Regular production of hormones from the ovary in response to hormonal messages from the brain. The ovarian cycle governs the endometrial cycle.

Obstetrician
Physician who specializes in the care of pregnant women and the delivery of babies.

Nurse-midwife
Nurse who has received extra training in the care of pregnant patients and the delivery of babies.

Nonstress test
Test in which movements of the baby felt by the mother are recorded, along with changes in the fetal heart rate, to assess well-being of fetus after 32 weeks of pregnancy.

Neural-tube defects
Abnormalities in the development of the spinal cord and brain in a fetus. Also see anencephaly; hydrocephalus;spina bifida.

Natural childbirth
Labor and delivery in which no medication is used, and the mother remains awake to help deliver the baby. The woman may or may not have taken classes to prepare her for labor and delivery.

Monilial vulvovaginitis
Infection caused by yeast or monilia. Usually affects the vagina and vulva.

Monozygotic twins
Twins conceived from one egg. Often called identical twins.

Morning sickness
Nausea and vomiting, primarily during the first trimester of pregnancy. Also see hyperemesis gravidarum.

Mucus plug
Secretions in cervix; often released just before labour.