Labor & Delivery

Question 1

antepartum haemorrhage

Answer 1

bleeding from the vagina during pregnancy

Question 2

birth canal

Answer 2

the passageway (made up of the cervix and vagina) that the baby travels through during birth

Question 3

Braxton Hicks contractions

Answer 3

a tightening of the uterus (womb) that may feel like a labour contraction. Braxton Hicks contractions are not painful and do not get stronger and closer together like true contractions (also called ‘false labour’)

Question 4

cervix

Answer 4

the narrow, lower end of the uterus that softens and opens during labour to allow the baby to come out

Question 5

ectopic pregnancy

Answer 5

when a fertilised egg implants and grows outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. In most cases, an ectopic pregnancy is not viable.

Question 6

first-degree tear

Answer 6

a tear involving only the perineal skin (adjacent to the vaginal opening) that occurs at the time of delivery that doesn’t always require stitches

Question 7

first trimester

Answer 7

the first 14 weeks of pregnancy

Question 8

folic acid

Answer 8

a B vitamin found naturally in green leafy vegetables that helps prevent anaemia and has been shown to reduce the incidence of some birth defects including spina bifida

Question 9

gestation

Answer 9

the length of time (in days or weeks) that a baby is in the uterus

Question 10

haemorrhage

Answer 10

excessive bleeding

Question 11

postpartum haemorrhage

Answer 11

when a woman loses more than 500 ml of blood after birth

Question 12

second-degree tear

Answer 12

a tear of the perineum involving both skin and muscles, but not the anus. Second-degree tears often require stitches

Question 13

second-stage labour

Answer 13

the time from the complete dilation of the cervix (10 cm) to the birth

Question 14

second trimester

Answer 14

the time from 14 weeks to 26 weeks of pregnancy

Question 15

special care nursery (SCN)

Answer 15

a unit in a hospital for babies who need special medical care

Question 16

spina bifida

Answer 16

a birth defect that occurs during the first month of pregnancy when a baby’s backbone does not fully close, leaving part of the spinal cord exposed. Spina bifida cannot be cured, but a range of treatments and management options is available

Question 17

spontaneous labour

Answer 17

when labour starts by itself (without medical help)

Question 18

stillbirth

Answer 18

the death of a baby after 20 weeks’ gestation but before birth

Question 19

third- or fourth-degree tear

Answer 19

a severe tear of the perineum involving the skin, muscles and anus. Stitches are used to repair these tears