Copy of `The Baby Website - pregnancy glossary`

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The Baby Website - pregnancy glossary Category: Health and Medicine > Pregancy index Date & country: 29/05/2018, UK Words: 239

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.

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

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.

Vertex presentation
Head first.

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

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

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

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

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

VBAC
Vaginal birth after Cesarean.

Trichomonal vaginitis
Venereal infection caused by trichomonas.

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

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

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.

Umbilicus
Bellybutton.

Tocolytic agents
Medications to stop labor.

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.

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

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

Thrombosis
Formation of a blood clot (thrombus).

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

Teratogen
A substance that causes abnormal development.

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

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.

Stasis
Decreased flow.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Sickle crisis
Painful episode caused by sickle-cell disease.

Skin tag
Flap or extra buildup of skin.

Spinal anesthesia
Anesthesia given in the spinal canal.

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

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.

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.

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

Pyelonephritis
Serious kidney infection.

Quickening
Feeling the baby move inside the uterus.

Radiation therapy
Method of treatment for various cancers.

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

Rh-negative
Absence of rhesus antibody in the blood.

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.

Pudendal block
Local anesthesia for pain relief during labor.

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.

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.

Proteinuria
Protein in urine.

Pruritis gravidarum
Itching during pregnancy.

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

Propylthiouracil
Medication used to treat thyroid disease.

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.

Pneumonitis
Inflammation of the lungs.

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

Postmature baby
Pregnancy of more than 42 weeks gestation.

Postpartum blues
Mild depression after delivery.

Postpartum depression
Depression after delivery.

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

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

Placental abruption
Premature separation of the placenta from the uterus.

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

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.

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

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

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

Perineum
Area between the anus and the vagina.

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

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

Palmar erythema
Redness of palms of the hands.

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.

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

Opioids
Synthetic compounds with effects similar to those of opium.

Ovulation
Cyclic production of an egg from the ovary.

Oligohydramnios
Lack or deficiency of amniotic fluid.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Milk letdown
Tingling or cramping in woman's breast, experienced when breast milk flows into the breast ducts.

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