8.8 Glossary

Abortion (ă-BOR-shŏn) (AB): The termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus before it is viable. (Chapter 8.4)

Amniocentesis (am-nē-ō-sen-TĒ-sĭs): A procedure that removes and tests amniotic fluid for fetal abnormalities. (Chapter 8.6)

Apgar score (AP-gar skōr): A quick test performed on a newborn baby at 1 and 5 minutes after birth to assess the baby’s heart rate, respiration, muscle tone, skin color, and reflexes. (Chapter 8.4)

Biophysical profile (BĪ-ō-FĬZ-ĭ-kăl PRO-fīl): Fetal well-being assessment combining nonstress test results and ultrasound findings. (Chapter 8.6)

Braxton-Hicks (BRAX-tŏn HIKS): Irregular, often painless contractions that occur throughout pregnancy, also known as false labor. (Chapter 8.4)

Breech (brēch): A fetal position where the buttocks or feet are positioned to be delivered first rather than the head. (Chapter 8.4)

Cephalic presentation (sĕ-FAL-ĭk prē-zen-TĀ-shŏn): The common childbirth position where the baby’s head comes out first. (Chapter 8.4)

Cephalic version (sĕ-FAL-ĭk VĔR-zhŏn): A procedure used to turn a fetus from a breech position or side-lying position into a head-down (cephalic) position before labor begins. (Chapter 8.4)

Cerclage (sĕr-KLĂZH): A procedure in which the cervix is stitched shut to prevent dilation and premature delivery. (Chapter 8.5)

Certified nurse-midwife (SĔR-tĭ-fīd NŬRS mĭd-wīf) (CNM): An advanced practice registered nurse who provides prenatal, delivery, postpartum and gynecological care. (Chapter 8.6)

Cesarean section (si-ZAR-ē-ăn SEK-shŏn) (C section): A surgical procedure in which one or more incisions are made through a mother’s abdomen (laparotomy) and uterus (hysterotomy) to deliver one or more babies. (Chapter 8.4)

Colostrum (kŏ-LOS-trŭm): A form of milk produced by the mammary glands of mammals in late pregnancy and the few days after giving birth. (Chapter 8.4)

Conception (kŏn-SEP-shŏn): The moment when a sperm cell successfully fertilizes an ovum, leading to the beginning of a pregnancy. (Chapter 8.4)

Congenital anomaly (kŏn-JĔN-ĭ-tăl ă-NOM-ă-lē): A structural, functional, or metabolic abnormality present at birth that can lead to physical or mental disabilities. (Chapter 8.5)

Contraction stress test (kŏn-TRAK-shŏn STRĒS test): A test that monitors the fetal heart rate in response to induced contractions. (Chapter 8.6)

Crowning (KROWN-ĭng): The appearance of the baby’s head at the vaginal opening during childbirth. (Chapter 8.4)

Deep vein thrombosis (dēp vān throm-BOH-sĭs) (DVT): The formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, predominantly in the legs, which can be a risk in pregnancy due to increased blood clotting. (Chapter 8.5)

Eclampsia (ĕ-KLAMP-sē-ă): A severe complication of preeclampsia, involving seizures or coma in the pregnant woman. (Chapter 8.5)

Ectopic pregnancy (ek-TOP-ik PREG-năn-sē): A pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, often in the Fallopian tube. (Chapter 8.4)

Egg retrieval (Ĕg rĭ-TREE-vəl): A minor surgery to collect mature eggs from the ovaries. (Chapter 8.6)

Embryo (EM-brē-ō): An organism in early stages of development, specifically from day 16 through week 8 of human pregnancy. (Chapter 8.4)

Embryo culture (ĔM-brē-ō Kŭl-chər): Maintaining and monitoring embryos until ready for transfer in IVF. (Chapter 8.6)

Embryo transfer (ĔM-brē-ō TRĂNS-fər): Placing embryos into the uterus in IVF. (Chapter 8.6)

Endometrium (en-dō-MĒ-trē-ŭm): The mucous membrane lining the uterus, which thickens during the menstrual cycle in preparation for possible implantation of an embryo. (Chapter 8.4)

Episiotomy (ĕp-ĭ-zē-OT-ŏ-mē): A surgical incision of the vulva to widen the vaginal opening to prevent ripping or tearing of the perineum during delivery. (Chapter 8.4)

Fertilization (fĕr-tĭ-lī-ZĀ-shŏn): The union of a male sperm cell and a female egg cell to form a zygote, initiating the development of a new individual. (Chapter 8.4, Chapter 8.6)

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FĒ-tăl AL-kŏ-hŏl SPEK-trŭm dĭs-ŎR-dĕrz) (FASD): The effects caused by maternal alcohol intake during pregnancy, ranging from physical, mental, and behavioral disabilities. (Chapter 8.5)

Fetal heart monitoring (FĒ-tăl HÄRT MON-ĭt-or-ing): Tracking the fetal heart rate during pregnancy and labor. (Chapter 8.6)

Fetus (FĒ-tŭs): A developing human from roughly the end of the eighth week after conception to the moment of birth. (Chapter 8.4)

Gestation (jĕs-TĀ-shŏn): The period of development of the fetus in the mother’s uterus, typically lasting from conception to birth. (Chapter 8.4)

Gestational diabetes (jĕs-TĀ-shŏn-ăl dī-ă-BĒ-tĭs): A form of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy and usually resolves after delivery. (Chapter 8.5)

Gravida (GRĂV-ĭ-dă): A pregnant woman; often used in medical contexts to specify a woman’s number of pregnancies. (Chapter 8.4)

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hū-MĂN kor-ē-ON-ĭk gō-năd-ō-TRO-pin): A hormone produced during pregnancy by cells that will eventually form the placenta. (Chapter 8.4)

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HĪ-pĕr-ĕm-Ē-sĭs GRAV-ĭ-dar-ŭm): A severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy that can lead to dehydration and weight loss. (Chapter 8.5)

Hypovolemia (hī-pō-vō-LĒ-mē-ă): A decrease in the volume of blood plasma, which can be a critical condition following postpartum hemorrhage. (Chapter 8.5)

In vitro fertilization (in VĪ-trō FĔR-tĭ-lĭ-ZĀ-shŏn) (IVF): An assisted reproductive technology in which eggs are fertilized outside the body and transferred to the uterus. (Chapter 8.6)

Induction (in-DŬK-shŏn): The process of artificially initiating childbirth by stimulating uterine contractions. (Chapter 8.4, Chapter 8.6)

Insemination (in-sem-ĭ-NĀ-shŏn): Mixing eggs with sperm in IVF. (Chapter 8.6)

Intrauterine fetal demise (ĬN-tră-YŪ-tə-rīn FĒT-ăl dĕ-MĪZ): Fetal death that occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy. (Chapter 8.5)

Lactation (lăk-TĀ-shŏn): The secretion of milk by the mammary glands. (Chapter 8.4)

Lanugo (lă-NOO-gō): Fine, soft hair, especially that which covers the body and limbs of a human fetus or newborn. (Chapter 8.4)

Last menstrual period (last MEN-strū-ăl PĒ-rē-ŏd) (LMP): The first day of a woman’s last menstrual cycle, used as a marker to estimate the date of conception. (Chapter 8.4)

Lochia (LŌ-kē-ă): Vaginal discharge after giving birth (puerperium), containing blood, mucus, and uterine tissue. (Chapter 8.4)

Meconium (mē-KŌ-nē-ŭm): The first stool of a newborn. (Chapter 8.4)

Meconium aspiration (mĕ-KŌ-nē-ŭm AS-pĭ-RĀ-shŏn): A medical condition affecting newborns in which meconium is ingested into their lungs in utero. (Chapter 8.4)

Midwife (MĬD-wīf): An individual who practices midwifery. (Chapter 8.6)

Midwifery (mĭd-WIF-ĕr-ē): The practice of assisting women in childbirth. (Chapter 8.6)

Miscarriage (MĬS-kăr-ĭj): Loss of a fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy. (Chapter 8.5)

Mitosis (mī-TŌ-sĭs): A type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus. (Chapter 8.4)

Multigravida (mŭl-tĭ-GRĂV-ĭ-dă): A woman who has been pregnant more than once. (Chapter 8.4)

Multipara (mŭl-TĬP-ă-ră): A woman who has given birth to more than one child. (Chapter 8.4)

Neonate (NĒ-ō-nāt): A newborn child, specifically within the first four weeks after birth. (Chapter 8.4)

Neonatologists (nē-ō-nă-TOL-ŏ-jĭsts): Physicians who specialize in the medical care of newborns. (Chapter 8.6)

Noninvasive prenatal testing (nŏn-ĭn-VĀ-sĭv prē-NĀ-tăl TĔS-tĭng): A blood test of the mother to determine risk of fetal genetic abnormalities. (Chapter 8.6)

Nonstress test (NŎN-strĕs tĕst): A test that monitors the fetal heart rate in response to fetal movement. (Chapter 8.6)

Nulligravida (nŭl-ĭ-GRĂV-ĭ-dă): A woman who has never been pregnant. (Chapter 8.4)

Obstetrician (ob-stĕ-TRISH-ăn): A physician who specializes in obstetrics (OB) and gynecology (GYN). (Chapter 8.6)

Obstetrics (ŏb-STE-triks) (OB): A medical specialty concerning care of the mother and fetus during pregnancy, childbirth, and immediately after childbirth. (Chapter 8.1, Chapter 8.6)

Oligohydramnios (ŏl-ĭg-ō-hī-DRĂM-nē-ōs): A condition in pregnancy characterized by a deficiency in amniotic fluid, which can compromise the fetus’s development. (Chapter 8.4)

Oogenesis (ō-ŏ-JEN-ĕ-sĭs): The process in female reproduction where ova (egg cells) are produced in the ovaries. (Chapter 8.4)

Oxytocin (ŏk-sē-TŌ-sĭn): A hormone that causes the uterus to contract during labor and stimulates the mammary glands to release milk. (Chapter 8.4)

Para (PĂR-ă): A term used in obstetrics to indicate the number of live births a woman has had. (Chapter 8.4)

Parturition (păr-tū-RĬSH-ŭn): The act of giving birth; the process of childbirth. (Chapter 8.4)

Pediatrician (pēd-ē-ă-TRISH-ăn): A doctor who focuses on the health of infants, children, and adolescents. (Chapter 8.6)

Pelvic sonography (PEL-vik sō-NOG-ră-fē): An ultrasound of the pelvic region, used during pregnancy to evaluate fetal growth and well-being. (Chapter 8.6)

Perineum (pĕr-ĭ-NĒ-ŭm): The area between the anus and the vulva in females, and between the anus and the scrotum in males. (Chapter 8.4)

Peripartum depression (pĕr-ĭ-PÄR-tŭm di-PRESH-ŭn): Depression that occurs during pregnancy or within four weeks of childbirth. (Chapter 8.4)

Placenta (plă-SEN-tă): An organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy, providing oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby and removing waste products. (Chapter 8.4)

Placenta abruptio (plă-SENT-ā ă-BRŬP-shē-ō): A condition in which the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus prematurely during pregnancy. (Chapter 8.4)

Placenta previa (plă-SENT-ā PRĒ-vē-ă): A condition in which the placenta covers the cervix, often leading to severe bleeding before or during delivery. (Chapter 8.4)

Postpartum (pōst-PÄR-tŭm): The period after childbirth when the mother’s body, including hormone levels and uterus size, returns to a pre-pregnancy state. (Chapter 8.4)

Postpartum hemorrhage (pōst-PÄR-tŭm HEM-ŏr-ij): Heavy bleeding after giving birth, which can be a serious complication. (Chapter 8.5)

Preeclampsia (prē-ĕ-KLAMP-sē-ă): A pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the kidneys. (Chapter 8.5)

Pregnancy-related death (PRĔG-năn-sē ri-LĀ-tĭd dĕth): The death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or shortly after, due to complications from the pregnancy. (Chapter 8.5)

Premature infant (prē-mă-CHŪR IN-fănt): An infant born before completing 37 weeks of gestation. (Chapter 8.5)

Premature preterm rupture of membranes (prē-mă-CHŪR prē-tûrm RŬP-chĕr ŏv MEM-brānz) (PPROM): Rupture of the amniotic sac before 37 weeks of pregnancy. (Chapter 8.5)

Prenatal (prē-NĀT-ăl): Pertaining to the period before birth, during pregnancy. (Chapter 8.4)

Preterm labor (PRĒ-tûrm LĀ-bŏr): Labor occurring between 20 and 37 weeks of gestation. (Chapter 8.5)

Puerperium (pū-ĕr-PĒ-rē-ŭm): The period from delivery until the reproductive organs return to normal, approximately six weeks. (Chapter 8.6)

Quickening (KWĬK-ĕn-ĭng): The first feeling of movement of the fetus in utero, typically experienced by the mother around 16 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. (Chapter 8.4)

Stillbirth (STĬL-bûrth): Loss of a fetus after 20 weeks’ gestation, also called intrauterine fetal demise. (Chapter 8.5)

Stillborn (STIL-bōrn): The birth of a fetus that has died in the uterus, typically after surviving at least the first 28 weeks of pregnancy. (Chapter 8.4)

Stimulation (STĬM-yū-LĀ-shŏn): Also called superovulation, this therapy refers to administering fertility medication to boost egg production. (Chapter 8.6)

Teratogens (tĕr-AT-ŏ-jĕnz): Agents that cause malformations in a developing embryo, including alcohol, drugs, diseases, chemicals, and environmental exposures. (Chapter 8.4, Chapter 8.5)

Trimesters (TRĪ-mĕs-tĕrz): Three periods of approximately three months each, into which a typical pregnancy is divided for medical purposes. (Chapter 8.4)

Umbilical cord (ŭm-BĬL-ĭ-kăl kŏrd): A flexible cord-like structure containing blood vessels, connecting the fetus to the placenta. (Chapter 8.4)

Vernix (VĔR-nĭks): A greasy deposit covering the skin of a baby at birth. (Chapter 8.4)

Zygote (ZĪ-gōt): The initial cell formed when a sperm cell fertilizes an ovum, representing the earliest developmental stage of the embryo. (Chapter 8.4)