Obstetrics Definitions 3 Flashcards
Pregnancy resulting in a live birth at any gestation or stillbirth occurring at 24 weeks’ gestation onwards, with multiple births being counted only once
maternities
The first greenish-black stool of the newborn, composed of cellular debris, bile, lanugo, and vernix caseosa.
meconium
Onset of menstruation
menarche
Protrusion of the meninges and spinal cord through a defect (spina bifida) in the vertebral arches of the spine
meningomyelocele
Tiny white papules on the nose due to retention of secretions in sebaceous glands, which disappear in the first weeks after birth
milia
Spontaneous loss of pregnancy from the time of conception until 24 weeks gestation.
miscarriage
all the products of conception have been passed without the need for medical or surgical intervention
complete miscarriage
some, but not all, of the products of conception have been passed; retained products may be part of the fetus, placenta or membranes
incomplete miscarriage
the cervical os is open, but the products of conception have not been expelled
inevitable miscarriage
ultrasound evidence of fetal demise but no uterine activity to expel the products
missed miscarriage
vaginal bleeding before 24 weeks gestation, viable pregnancy on ultrasound
threatened miscarriage
a spontaneous miscarriage that is complicated by intrauterine infection
septic miscarriage
three or more consecutive pregnancy losses before 24 weeks gestation. This affects
1% of couples trying to conceive.
recurrent miscarriage
Hypertrophied sebaceous glands, which appear as lumps scattered throughout the areola surrounding the nipple
montgomery follicles
The mulberry-like mass of cells formed by repeated divisions of the fertilized ovum
morula
Alteration in shape and diameters of the fetal head during labour. The fontanelles and sutures permit the force of contractions to compress the head against the bony pelvis and adapt its shape and size to that of the birth canal.
moulding
An embryonic tubular structure, which forms the female genital tract (Fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina).
mullerian duct
Method of calculating estimated date of delivery: add 9 months and 7 days to the first day of the last menstrual period. A correction is required if the woman does not have 28-day cycles.
naegle’s rule
From the lower border of the symphysis pubis, to the ischial spines laterally and to the lower border of the fourth sacral vertebra posteriorly. This is below the mid pelvic plane which runs from the middle of the symphysis, above the ischial spines, to the junction of the second and third sacral vertebrae
Narrow pelvic plane or plane of least pelvic dimensions.
Infant from birth to 28 completed days of age.
neonate
Death of a liveborn baby from 24 weeks gestation or with birthweight ≥500g occuring within 28 completed days of birth.
neonatal death
is the death of a liveborn baby from 24 weeks gestation or with birthweight ≥500g occurring within 7 completed days of birth.
early neonatal death
the death of a live born baby from 24 weeks gestation or with birthweight ≥500g occurring after 7th day and within 28 completed days of birth.
late neonatal death
all babies are offered the ‘Heel Prick Test’ screening for Phenylketonuria (PKU), Homocystinuria, Maple Syrup Urine Disease, Classical Galactosaemia, Cystic Fibrosis, Congenital Hypothyroidism. This is done on blood collected on blotting paper from a heel prick on the 4-5th day of life.
newborn bloodspot screening
carried out while the baby is settled or sleeping at the mother’s bedside. Any baby who does not have a clear response from the screen will be seen for a full audiological (hearing) assessment at our Audiology Clinics (hearing clinics).
newborn hearing screening
A labour in which the fetus presents by the vertex, the occiput rotates anteriorly, and the result is the birth of a living, mature fetus with no complications, the duration of labour ranging from 4-24 hours.
normal labour
There is no descent of the presenting part in the presence of good contractions. Usually there is extensive caput and moulding, a malposition or malpresentation, and a retraction ring, the fetus is often large and the pelvis small or abnormal in shape
obstructed labour
The back of the fetal head behind the posterior fontanelle
occiput
Regular uterine contractions, leading to dilatation and effacement of the cervix.
onset of labour
The plug of mucus that occludes the cervical canal during pregnancy
operculum
Extrusion of the ripened ovum from the Graafian follicle in the ovary to the peritoneal cavity (and then into the tube)
ovulation
Hastens birth of fetus and/or placenta by stimulating contractions of the uterine muscle; by definition may accelerate first, second or third stages of labour.
oxytocic
The number of completed pregnancies, whether live birth or stillbirth, of at least 24 weeks gestation or with birthweight ≥500g.
parity
a women who is in her first pregnancy
primigravida
a woman who has had more than one completed pregnancy (whether live birth or
stillbirth, of at least 24 weeks gestation or with birthweight ≥500g).
multigravida
graphic representation of cervical dilatation and descent of the presenting part; used to indicate departure from normal and the need for active management of labour, especially in nulliparas
partograph (cervicograph)
Suprapubic palpation with the outstretched hand to identify the presenting part of the fetus, its position, flexion and its station within the mother’s pelvis
pawlik’s grip
The plane (flat surface) of division, between the true and false pelvis. The plane passes from the upper border of the symphysis pubis, along the pubic crest to the iliopectineal eminence then to the sacroiliac joint, along the wings of the sacrum to the centre of the sacral promontory. The shape is transversely oval with the promontory causing a projection posteriorly.
pelvic brim or inlet
A diamond-shaped opening, which runs from beneath the symphysis pubis along the ischiopubic ramus to the ischial tuberosity (on which we sit) along the sacrotuberous ligament to the fifth piece of the sacrum (the coccyx being mobile folds back in labour).
pelvic outlet
Measurement of the size of the pelvis, either clinically or by radiography.
pelvimetry
Characteristic of the obese with poor muscle tone and diastasis of the rectus muscles and in multiple pregnancy. The uterus bulges forward and malpresentations are common
pendulous abdomen
Stillbirths plus early neonatal deaths (first seven days of life).
perinatal mortality
the number of stillbirths and early neonatal deaths per 1000 livebirths and stillbirths
perinatal mortality rate (PMR)
excluding perinatal deaths associated or due to a congenital malformation
corrected/adjusted perinatal mortality rate (PMR)
A triangular-shaped wedge of tissue based on the perineum separating the lower one third of the posterior vaginal wall from the anal canal
perineal body
Technique of gradually widening the vaginal opening during the third trimester in preparation for delivery of the baby; the birth is usually easier and episiotomy may not be necessary.
perineal massage
Disruption of the vaginal and perineal mucosa.
first degree perineal tear
Disruption of the vaginal mucosa and perineal muscles but does not involve anal sphincter muscles.
second degree perineal tear
Partial or complete disruption of the anal sphincter muscles, which may involve either or both the external (EAS) and internal anal sphincter (IAS) muscles.
third degree perineal tear
Disruption of the anal sphincter muscles with a breach of the rectal mucosa.
fourth degree perineal tear
The number of completed weeks, from the first day of the last menstrual period to the date in question.
period of gestation