XIX Glossary

Abortion: The termination of a pregnancy, which can be elective, induced, or spontaneous. (Chapter 19.14)

Amniotic fluid embolism: A rare but serious condition where amniotic fluid enters the mother’s bloodstream, causing a severe allergic reaction. (Chapter 19.9)

Blighted ovum: A pregnancy in which a fertilized egg implants in the uterus but does not develop into an embryo. (Chapter 19.14)

Brief intervention: A short, structured conversation to encourage individuals to change harmful behaviors related to substance use. (Chapter 19.12)

Cervical dilation and curettage (D&C): A surgical procedure to remove tissue from the uterus; often performed after miscarriage or abortion. (Chapter 19.14)

Chorioamnionitis: An infection of the amniotic sac and fluid, usually occurring during labor, which can affect both mother and baby. (Chapter 19.4)

Complete abortion: A miscarriage where all pregnancy tissue is expelled from the uterus. (Chapter 19.14)

Complete abruption: A type of placental abruption where the entire placenta detaches from the uterine wall, posing serious risks to both mother and baby. (Chapter 19.3)

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC): A serious condition causing widespread clotting and bleeding in the bloodstream; often triggered by pregnancy complications. (Chapter 19.3)

Domestic violence: Abuse or violence occurring within the home, often involving intimate partners or family members. (Chapter 19.11)

Early pregnancy loss: Pregnancy loss occurring before 12 weeks’ gestation. (Chapter 19.14)

Eclampsia: A severe progression of preeclampsia involving seizures during pregnancy or postpartum, posing serious risks to both mother and baby. (Chapter 19.2, Chapter 19.5)

Ectopic pregnancy: A pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants and begins to grow outside the uterus, most commonly in the Fallopian tubes. This is a medical emergency that can be life-threatening if not treated. (Chapter 19.3)

Elective abortion: The voluntary termination of a pregnancy for non-medical reasons. (Chapter 19.14)

Fundal massage: A technique used to stimulate uterine contractions and reduce postpartum bleeding by massaging the top of the uterus (fundus). (Chapter 19.3)

Gestational diabetes: A form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy characterized by high blood sugar levels that can affect the health of both the mother and baby. (Chapter 19.2)

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM): A form of diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy that can affect both maternal and fetal health. (Chapter 19.8)

Gestational hypertension: High blood pressure that develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy without signs of preeclampsia. (Chapter 19.5)

HELPERR: An acronym describing the steps to manage shoulder dystocia: Help, Evaluate for episiotomy, Legs (McRoberts), Pressure (suprapubic), Enter maneuvers, Remove the posterior arm, and Roll the patient. (Chapter 19.3)

HELLP syndrome: A severe complication of preeclampsia involving hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count. (Chapter 19.5)

High-risk pregnancy: A pregnancy that involves increased health risks for the mother, fetus, or both due to preexisting conditions, pregnancy-related complications, or lifestyle factors. (Chapter 19.2)

Hypercapnia: An elevated level of carbon dioxide in the blood and often caused by respiratory failure. (Chapter 19.3)

Hypertension during pregnancy: High blood pressure occurring during pregnancy, which can pose risks to both mother and baby. (Chapter 19.5)

Hypoglycemia during pregnancy: Low blood sugar levels in pregnant individuals, which can pose risks to both mother and baby. (Chapter 19.8)

Hypovolemic shock: A life-threatening condition caused by severe blood or fluid loss, leading to inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues and organs. (Chapter 19.3)

Immediate postpartum hemorrhage: Heavy bleeding occurring within the first 24 hours after childbirth. (Chapter 19.3)

Imminent miscarriage: A term often used interchangeably with inevitable abortion. (Chapter 19.14)

Incomplete abortion: A miscarriage where some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus, often requiring medical intervention. (Chapter 19.14)

Induced abortion: The medical or surgical termination of a pregnancy. (Chapter 19.14)

Inevitable abortion: A situation where miscarriage is unavoidable due to significant cervical dilation or membrane rupture. (Chapter 19.14)

Intimate partner violence (IPV): Abuse or violence occurring in a romantic relationship, which can have serious health implications for pregnant individuals. (Chapter 19.11)

Inversion of the uterus: A rare but serious condition where the uterus turns inside out, often following childbirth, leading to severe bleeding. (Chapter 19.3)

Late postpartum hemorrhage: Excessive bleeding occurring more than 24 hours and up to six weeks postpartum. (Chapter 19.3)

Macrosomia: A condition where a newborn is significantly larger than average, typically weighing more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces (4,000 grams). (Chapter 19.8)

Magnesium toxicity: A condition caused by excessive magnesium levels, often resulting from treatment for preeclampsia, which can cause respiratory depression and other complications. (Chapter 19.5)

McRoberts maneuver: A position used during delivery to address shoulder dystocia, involving hyperflexion of the mother’s legs to widen the pelvis. (Chapter 19.3)

Miscarriage: The natural loss of a pregnancy before the fetus can survive outside the womb. (Chapter 19.14)

Missed miscarriage: A pregnancy loss where the embryo or fetus has died, but the tissue has not been expelled from the uterus. (Chapter 19.14)

Molar pregnancy: A rare complication where abnormal tissue grows inside the uterus instead of a viable pregnancy. (Chapter 19.14)

Morbidity: Refers to the state of having a disease or medical condition; often used to describe the prevalence of illnesses in a population. (Chapter 19.2)

Mortality: The state of being subject to death; often refers to the death rate in a specific population. (Chapter 19.2)

Multiple gestation: A pregnancy in which two or more fetuses develop simultaneously, such as twins, triplets, or higher-order multiples. (Chapter 19.2)

Nulliparous clients: Individuals who have never given birth. (Chapter 19.5)

One-hour oral glucose tolerance test: A screening test for gestational diabetes involving the measurement of blood sugar one hour after consuming a glucose drink. (Chapter 19.8)

Partial abruption: A type of placental abruption where only a part of the placenta detaches from the uterine wall. (Chapter 19.3)

Placenta abruption: Separation of the placenta from the uterine wall before delivery that can cause life-threatening complications such as postpartum hemorrhage and fetal hypoxia. (Chapter 19.3)

Placenta accreta syndrome (PAS): A condition where the placenta attaches too deeply into the uterine wall, potentially leading to severe complications during delivery. (Chapter 19.3)

Placenta previa: A condition where the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix, increasing the risk of bleeding during pregnancy and delivery. (Chapter 19.3)

Polyhydramnios: An excessive amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus, which can cause complications during pregnancy. (Chapter 19.10)

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH): Excessive bleeding after childbirth, which can occur immediately after delivery or later in the postpartum period. (Chapter 19.3)

Preeclampsia: A pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure and signs of damage to organ systems, often the liver or kidneys, typically occurring after 20 weeks of pregnancy. (Chapter 19.2, Chapter 19.5)

Pregestational diabetes: Diabetes that exists before pregnancy, which requires careful management during pregnancy. (Chapter 19.8)

Preterm labor: Labor that begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy, increasing the risk of complications for the baby. (Chapter 19.10)

Recurrent miscarriage: The loss of three or more consecutive pregnancies. (Chapter 19.14)

Salpingectomy: A surgical procedure to remove one or both Fallopian tubes; often performed to treat ectopic pregnancy or prevent future complications. (Chapter 19.3)

Salpingostomy: A surgical procedure to create an opening in a Fallopian tube; often to remove an ectopic pregnancy without removing the entire tube.(Chapter 19.3)

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model: A public health approach to early intervention and treatment for individuals with substance use disorders. (Chapter 19.12)

Sepsis: A life-threatening response to infection causing organ dysfunction or failure. (Chapter 19.4)

Septic shock: A severe form of sepsis characterized by dangerously low blood pressure and organ dysfunction. (Chapter 19.4)

Severe hypertension: Blood pressure levels equal to or greater than 160/110 mmHg, requiring immediate medical attention during pregnancy. (Chapter 19.5)

Shoulder dystocia: A childbirth emergency where the baby’s shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone during delivery. (Chapter 19.3)

Silent miscarriage: Another term for missed miscarriage, where no symptoms of pregnancy loss are immediately evident. (Chapter 19.14)

Spontaneous abortion: A miscarriage or natural loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks’ gestation. (Chapter 19.14)

Substance use disorder (SUD): A condition characterized by the inability to control the use of substances, including drugs or alcohol, despite negative consequences. (Chapter 19.12)

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS): A systemic inflammatory response to infection, trauma, or other triggers, which can lead to sepsis. (Chapter 19.4)

Threatened abortion: A condition characterized by vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy with the risk of miscarriage. (Chapter 19.14)

Three-hour oral glucose tolerance test: A diagnostic test for gestational diabetes involving multiple blood sugar measurements over three hours after consuming a glucose drink. (Chapter 19.8)

Tocolytic medications: Drugs used to delay preterm labor by suppressing uterine contractions. (Chapter 19.10)

Tubal rupture: The rupture of a Fallopian tube, commonly due to an ectopic pregnancy, which can cause severe abdominal pain and internal bleeding. (Chapter 19.3)

Uterine atony: A condition where the uterus fails to contract effectively after childbirth, leading to excessive bleeding. (Chapter 19.3)

Uterine rupture: Tearing or an opening in the muscle of the uterus. (Chapter 19.3)

Uterine subinvolution: The delayed return of the uterus to its normal size and condition after childbirth. (Chapter 19.3)