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.
- Gravida
a woman who is pregnant.
- Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Abnormal condition of pregnancy characterized by excessive vomiting.
- Multigravida or Multip
describing a woman who has been pregnant before, including miscarriages and abortions that did not lead to giving birth
- Multipara
describing a woman who has given birth before; does not include miscarriages and abortions that did not lead to giving birth.
- Occipital Anterior
the position of the fetus when the face is towards your spine.
- Occipital Posterior
the position of the fetus when the face is towards your belly button.
- Parity/ Para
the number of pregnancies in which the fetus has reached 20 weeks gestation. Para = delivery
- Placenta accreta
an unusual placenta adherence, usually in the myometrium. Associated with attachment to other organs like the bladder
- Placenta previa
placenta is implanted in the lower uterine segment close or covering the cervical os.
- Premature PROM
Premature rupture of membranes before 37.0 weeks of gestation
- Preterm
a premature baby between 20.7 – 36.6 weeks of gestation.
- Primigravida
describing a woman who has not been pregnant before, including miscarriages and abortions that did not lead to giving birth.
- Primipara
describing a woman who has not given birth before; does not include miscarriages and abortions that did not lead to giving birth.
- Trimesters
The determination of the length of pregnancy is broken down by weeks 0-13 (1st trimester), 14-26 (2nd trimester), 27-40 (3rd trimester)
