Chapter 37 - Obstetrics and Care of the Newborn

Question 1

afterbirth

Answer 1

the placenta and other tissues that are expelled after the delivery of the fetus.

Question 2

amniotic sac

Answer 2

a thin, transparent membrane that forms the sac that holds the fetus suspended in amniotic fluid. Also called bag of waters.

Question 3

antepartum

Answer 3

the period of pregnancy prior to the onset of labor.

Question 4

bloody show

Answer 4

the mucus and blood that are expelled from the vagina as labor begins.

Question 5

breech birth

Answer 5

a common abnormality of delivery in which the fetal buttocks or both lower extremities are low in the uterus and are the first to be delivered.

Question 6

cervix

Answer 6

the neck of the uterus.

Question 7

crowning

Answer 7

the stage in delivery when the fetal head presents at the vagina.

Question 8

fallopian tubes

Answer 8

thin, flexible structures that extend from the uterus to the ovaries. Also called uterine tubes.

Question 9

fetus

Answer 9

the child in the uterus from the third month of pregnancy to birth; prior to that time it is called an embryo.

Question 10

intrapartum

Answer 10

the period of time from the onset of labor to delivery of the infant.

Question 11

labor

Answer 11

the physiologic process by which the fetus is expelled from the uterus into the vagina and then to the outside of the body. Also called childbirth.

Question 12

limb presentation

Answer 12

an abnormal obstetric presentation when and arm or single leg is the first fetal part to protrude from the vaginal opening.

Question 13

meconium staining

Answer 13

a greenish or brownish yellow staining of the amniotic fluid, caused by a fetal bowel movement resulting from distress.

Question 14

miscarriage

Answer 14

without apparent cause, the termination of a pregnancy before the fetus reaches the stage of viability, generally before the 20th week of pregnancy. Also called spontaneous abortion.

Question 15

multiple birth

Answer 15

the delivery of more than one baby during a single birth, for example twins or triplets.

Question 16

neonate

Answer 16

a child from birth to 1 month of age.

Question 17

nuchal cord

Answer 17

an umbilical cord that is wrapped around the infants neck during the delivery.

Question 18

obstetric

Answer 18

having to do with pregnancy or childbirth.

Question 19

ovaries

Answer 19

the female gonads or sex glands.

Question 20

perineum

Answer 20

the area of skin between a females vagina and anus.

Question 21

placenta

Answer 21

the fetal organ through which the fetus exchanges nourishment and waste products during pregnancy.

Question 22

postmaturity syndrome

Answer 22

condition that occurs during pregnancy when gestation of the fetus extends beyond 42 weeks, leading reduced oxygen and nutrient delivery to the fetus. See also postterm pregnancy.

Question 23

postpartum

Answer 23

the period following delivery of the infant.

Question 24

postpartum hemorrhage

Answer 24

the loss of greater than 500 mL of blood following delivery of the infant.

Question 25

postterm pregnancy

Answer 25

gestation of the fetus that extends beyond 42 weeks. See also postmaturity syndrome.

Question 26

precipitous delivery

Answer 26

birth of the fetus after less than 3 hours of labor.

Question 27

pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH)

Answer 27

in a pregnant woman, a blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg on two or more occasions at least 6 hours apart, or an increase from pre pregnancy of greater than 30 mmHg in systolic pressure and greater than 15 mmHg in diastolic pressure.

Question 28

premature infant

Answer 28

an infant weighing less than 5 pounds, or an infant born before its 38th week of gestation.

Question 29

premature rupture of membranes (PROM)

Answer 29

spontaneous rupture of the amniotic sac prior to the onset of true labor and before the end of the 37th week of gestation.

Question 30

preterm labor

Answer 30

labor that occurs after the 20th but prior to the 37th week of gestation. Also called premature labor.

Question 31

prolapsed cord

Answer 31

when the umbilical cord, rather than the head of the fetus, is the first part to protrude from the vagina.

Question 32

shoulder dystocia

Answer 32

abnormal delivery when the fetal shoulders are larger than the fetal head and the head delivers but the shoulders are caught between the symphysis pubis and the sacrum.

Question 33

spontaneous abortion

Answer 33

without apparent cause, the termination of a pregnancy before the fetus reaches the stage of viability, generally before the 20th week of pregnancy. Also called miscarriage.

Question 34

supine hypotensive syndrome

Answer 34

inadequate return of venous blood to the heart, reduced cardiac output, and lowered blood pressure resulting from pressure on the inferior vena cava, caused by the weight of the uterus, and fetus when the patient in late pregnancy is in a supine position.

Question 35

umbilical cord

Answer 35

an extension of the placenta through which the fetus receives nourishment with in the uterus.

Question 36

uterus

Answer 36

an organ of the female reproductive system for containing and nourishing the embryo and fetus from the time the fertilized egg is implanted to the time of birth.

Question 37

vagina

Answer 37

the passageway through with the fetus is delivered. The lower part of the birth canal.