Labor and Delivery Definitions Flashcards
- Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
a substance (fetal antigen) that is present in a pregnant woman’s blood; tests for AFP are used to determine pregnancy. AFP in amniotic fluid can be diagnostic of inborn errors of metabolism or fetal structural anomalies, neural tube defects.
- Amnion
Inner membrane of 2 fetal membranes that form the sac and contains the fetus and amniotic fluid
- Amnioinfusion
Infusion of room temperature isotonic fluid into the uterine cavity to increase fluid around the cord & prevent compression during uterine contractions.
- Amniotic fluid
fluid surrounding the fetus derived primarily of maternal serum and fetal urine. Normal amount of AF is 10 cm or greater
- Biophysical profile (BPP)
NST plus an Ultrasound that permits detailed physical and physiological characteristics of the fetus to determine fetal wellbeing.
- Cervical os
the opening in the cervix into the uterus
- Cervix
elongated tube structure in the bottom part of the uterus.
- Chorion
fetal membrane closest to the intrauterine wall
- Crowning
a stage of giving birth when the fetus’ head is visible; this occurs immediately before the fetus is born.
- Dysmenorrhea
pain right before or during menstruation
- EDD, EDB, EDC
expected date of delivery; expected date of birth, estimated date of confinement; when the birth of the infant is expected
- Endometriosis
a condition that occurs when the endometrium is found outside the uterus; can lead to pain and heaving bleeding
- Endometrium
the layer that lines the uterus; it is made of mucus and fills with blood and nutrients during the menstrual cycle; its shedding leads to the menstrual period.
- Episiotomy
a cut made in the mother’s perineum (the section between her vagina and anus) that allows the baby to be born with minimal complications.
- Fundus
the top of the uterus; the height measurements helps assess the growth and development of the fetus and how many weeks it has been growing.
