IX Glossary

Adenomyosis: Occurs when endometrial tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus, causing the uterus to thicken. (Chapter 9.3)

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP): A blood test that screens for increased risk of neural tube defects and the congenital anomalies by measuring the level of alpha-fetoprotein in the pregnant client’s blood. (Chapter 9.9)

Amenorrhea: Absence of menstruation. (Chapter 9.3)

Amniocentesis: A procedure in which a large-bore needle is inserted under ultrasound guidance into a pocket of amniotic fluid and fluid is withdrawn for analysis in order to diagnose fetal genetic abnormalities. (Chapter 9.9)

Amniotic fluid index (AFI): A standardized way to assess the sufficiency of the amniotic fluid quantity in pregnancy and is obtained via ultrasound. (Chapter 9.10)

Biophysical profile (BPP): Assesses five parameters of fetal well-being, including fetal heart rate, fetal breathing movements, fetal body movements, fetal muscle tone, and amount of amniotic fluid. (Chapter 9.10)

Braxton-Hicks contractions: Mild uterine contractions that are spontaneous and irregular. (Chapter 9.4)

Carrier: A person who has the gene for a disorder but does not manifest symptoms of the disorder. (Chapter 9.8)

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA): A blood test that can be done as early as ten weeks gestation and up until delivery and screens for certain conditions caused by an abnormal number of chromosomes. (Chapter 9.8)

Cervical os: A small opening in the middle of the cervix that can be visualized and palpated during physical examination. (Chapter 9.4)

Cervical ripening: The softening and opening of the cervix as it prepares for labor. (Chapter 9.10)

Chadwick sign: The bluish discoloration of the vagina and cervix due to the vasocongestion needed to support the growing uterus during pregnancy, typically noticeable around six to eight weeks of gestation. (Chapter 9.3)

Cholestasis of pregnancy: A liver condition that can occur in late pregnancy that triggers intense itching, but without a rash. (Chapter 9.4)

Chorionic villi: Microscopic projections from the outer membrane (chorion) that develop and burrow into endometrial tissue as the placenta is formed. (Chapter 9.8)

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS): A prenatal diagnostic test conducted between the 10th and 13th week of pregnancy to diagnose fetal chromosomal, metabolic, or DNA abnormalities. (Chapter 9.8)

Clinical pelvimetry: Identification of pelvic structure anomalies that determine an increased risk for cesarean delivery. (Chapter 9.7)

Colostrum: An antibody-rich secretion that helps develop the newborn’s immunity. (Chapter 9.4)

Contraction stress test (CST): Evaluates the response of the fetal heart rate to uterine contractions that are stimulated by the administration of oxytocin. (Chapter 9.10)

Corpus luteum: Forms from the remnants of the ovarian follicle and secretes progesterone until mid-pregnancy when the placenta begins to produce progesterone to help sustain the pregnancy to full term. (Chapter 9.4)

Couvade: Refers to pregnancy-related symptoms and behavior in an expectant partner. (Chapter 9.12)

Cystocele: Prolapsed bladder into the vagina. (Chapter 9.7)

Diastasis recti: Separation of the rectus abdominis muscle. (Chapter 9.4)

Dyspepsia: Heartburn. (Chapter 9.5)

Endometriosis: A chronic disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus, causing chronic inflammation and scarring. (Chapter 9.3)

Estimated date of delivery (EDD): A calculation that estimates when a baby will be born. (Chapter 9.7)

Female genital mutilation (FGM): Refers to a sociocultural practice in many African, Middle East, and Asian cultures that performs partial or complete removal of female external genitalia in those assigned female at birth. (Chapter 9.7)

Fetal heart tones (FHT): A measure of the rhythm and rate of a fetus’s heart. (Chapter 9.3)

Fetal lie: Relationship of the fetal spine to the mother’s spine. (Chapter 9.10)

Fetal nonstress test: A noninvasive test to assess fetal well-being. It provides a graphic of the fetal heart pattern in relation to fetal movements and can be performed starting at 28 weeks’ gestation. (Chapter 9.10)

Fetal presentation: The fetal part present in the lower part of the uterus. (Chapter 9.10)

Fetoscopy: A diagnostic test that involves the insertion of a thin fiber-optic tube called a fetoscope into the uterus through a small incision in the abdomen of the pregnant client in order to treat congenital disorders. (Chapter 9.9)

First trimester: 0 to 13 weeks and six days of gestation. (Chapter 9.6)

Fundal height: The measurement from the symphysis pubis to the top of the uterus (fundus). (Chapter 9.7)

Genetic history: Includes information on the pregnant client, the biological father or sperm donor of the fetus, and their respective families. (Chapter 9.7)

Goodell sign: Softening of the cervix and vagina and the increase in vaginal mucus discharge during pregnancy, typically noticeable around six to eight weeks of gestation. (Chapter 9.3)

Gravidity: The total number of times the client has been pregnant (including the current pregnancy), regardless of the outcome or number of fetuses. (Chapter 9.7)

Group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus: One of the leading causes of serious illnesses like meningitis and bacteremia in newborns. It is passed to newborns during birth through the birthing canal. (Chapter 9.10)

Gynecologic history: Provides information that may place the pregnancy at risk and includes whether the pregnant client has ever been diagnosed with a reproductive cancer, breast disorder, menstrual disorder, or sexually transmitted infection. (Chapter 9.7)

Hear Her campaign: An initiative launched by the CDC with the aim of raising awareness about pregnancy-related complications and promoting timely recognition and response to warning signs during and after pregnancy. The primary goal of the Hear Her campaign is to reduce maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity by encouraging women, their families, and health care providers to listen to women’s concerns, take them seriously, and take appropriate action when warning signs arise. (Chapter 9.6)

Hegar’s sign: The softening and compressibility of the lower uterine segment during pregnancy. (Chapter 9.3)

HELLP syndrome: Acronym standing for hemolysis of red blood cells, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count causing increased bleeding. (Chapter 9.9)

Hypercoagulability: An increase in the ability of the blood to coagulate. (Chapter 9.4)

Hyperemesis gravidarum: Severe vomiting during pregnancy. (Chapter 9.5)

Integrated screening: A series of tests performed during pregnancy to estimate the risk of a fetus having certain birth defects, such as Down syndrome, spina bifida, and trisomy 18. (Chapter 9.8)

Interpregnancy interval: The time between the birth of one child and the conception of the subsequent pregnancy. (Chapter 9.2)

Kick counts: Fetal movements assessed by the mother. (Chapter 9.10)

Last menstrual period (LMP): The first day of the most recent menstrual cycle, or when bleeding begins. (Chapter 9.7)

Late deceleration: The fetal heart rate decreases immediately after a uterine contraction. (Chapter 9.10)

Leopold’s maneuvers: A set of four steps (maneuvers) performed by the nurse when palpating the pregnant client’s abdomen to assess the position, presentation, and engagement of a fetus in the third trimester of pregnancy. (Chapter 9.10)

Linea nigra: A vertical line of increased pigmentation, which starts at the pubic hair line, passes through the umbilicus, and goes up to the xiphoid process. (Chapter 9.4)

Lordosis: Inward curvature of the lumbar spine. (Chapter 9.4)

Maternal mortality rate: Death while pregnant or within 42 days of the end of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management, but not from accidental or incidental causes. (Chapter 9.6)

Maternity care deserts: Counties without a hospital or birth center offering obstetric care and without any obstetric providers. (Chapter 9.6)

Melasma: Commonly called the mask of pregnancy, which is hyperpigmentation on the face from the cheekbones to the forehead. (Chapter 9.4)

Multiple marker screen: A blood test that screens for chromosomal disorders and neural tube defects between 10 and 14 weeks of pregnancy using Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein-A (PAPP-A) and free B-hCG markers. (Chapter 9.8)

Naegele’s Rule: A three-step calculation based on a 28-day menstrual cycle used to determine a pregnant client’s due date. To calculate, subtract three months from the first day of the client’s last menstrual period and then add seven days and then adjust the year. (Chapter 9.7)

Nuchal translucency screening: An ultrasound scan that measures the thickness of space at the back of the fetus’s neck, known as the nuchal fold thickness. (Chapter 9.8)

Oligohydramnios: Too little amniotic fluid. (Chapter 9.7, Chapter 9.10)

Parity: The number of pregnancies where the client has given birth to a fetus that was 20 weeks of gestation or more, regardless of whether the pregnancy ended in a live birth or fetal demise. (Chapter 9.7)

Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS):  A procedure in which the health care provider guides a needle, with the aid of an ultrasound, into a blood vessel of the umbilical cord to collect a blood sample. The sample is then sent to the lab to be analyzed for genetic disorders and other fetal health considerations. (Chapter 9.9)

Periauricular pit: A pocket or fistula located in front of the ear. (Chapter 9.10)

Physiologic anemia: A mild type of anemia that occurs during pregnancy when plasma volume increases faster than red blood cell mass. (Chapter 9.4)

Pica: A strong craving for and consumption of a nonfood substance. (Chapter 9.7)

Placental 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 9.7)

Placenta previa: The placenta is attached in the lower part of the uterus and covers the cervix. (Chapter 9.7)

Polyhydramnios: Too much amniotic fluid. (Chapter 9.10)

Positive signs of pregnancy: Cues provided by the fetus. Signs that directly confirm pregnancy and include auscultation of the fetal heart rate, palpable fetal movement by the examiner, and visualization of the fetus via ultrasound. (Chapter 9.3)

Presumptive signs of pregnancy: Subjective cues of early pregnancy. Symptoms noticed by the client including quickening, amenorrhea, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and breast enlargement and tenderness. (Chapter 9.3)

Probable signs of pregnancy: Objective cues discoverable by the healthcare provider. Signs that are objectively noticed by the health care provider and include Chadwick sign, Goodell sign, Hegar sign, enlargement of the uterus, skin hyperpigmentation, and palpation of the fetus. (Chapter 9.3)

Quad marker screen: Measures the maternal serum levels of four pregnancy markers (alpha fetoprotein, hCG, unconjugated estriol, and inhibin-A), and a blood sample is drawn when the client is between 15 and 22 weeks of gestation. (Chapter 9.9)

Quickening:  Refers to the feeling of the movements by the fetus in the uterus by the mother by about 16-24 weeks’ gestation. (Chapter 9.3)

Rectocele: Rectal prolapse into the vagina. (Chapter 9.7)

Rh sensitization: Occurs when a pregnant woman with Rh-negative blood is exposed to Rh-positive blood, causing her immune system to produce antibodies to attack the Rh-positive blood. (Chapter 9.7)

Screening: A test used during pregnancy to identify whether a fetus is more or less likely to have certain birth defects, many of which are genetic disorders. (Chapter 9.8)

Second trimester: 14 to 27 weeks and six days of gestation. (Chapter 9.6)

Striae gravidarum: Commonly called stretch marks; reddish lines where the skin has stretched to accommodate the growth in the breasts, abdomen, and buttocks during pregnancy. (Chapter 9.4)

Teratogens: Substances or agents that can cause congenital abnormalities or birth defects in a developing embryo or fetus during pregnancy. (Chapter 9.2)

Third trimester: 28 weeks until delivery. (Chapter 9.6)

Toxoplasmosis: A parasitic infection that can be transmitted to pregnant women through handling cat feces or exposure to insects that come in contact with cat feces, in addition to consuming undercooked meats. (Chapter 9.7)

Ultrasound: A safe and painless diagnostic procedure that uses high frequency sound waves and allows health care providers to visualize the inside of the uterus and examine the developing fetus. (Chapter 9.3)

Varicosities: Swollen, twisted veins that are visible just under the skin. (Chapter 9.5)

Vena cava syndrome: Occurs when the enlarging uterus places pressure on the vena cava starting around 28 weeks of gestation, which can cause decreased blood flow back to the heart. (Chapter 9.5)