Pregnancy Definitions

Question 1

hCG

Answer 1

a hormone produced by the placenta of a pregnant woman

Question 2

Chromosomal

Answer 2

occurs when a fetus has either the incorrect number of chromosomes, incorrect amount of DNA within a chromosome, or chromosomes that are structurally flawed.

Question 3

Hormonal

Answer 3

Estrogen and progesterone are the chief pregnancy hormones. A woman will produce more estrogen during one pregnancy than throughout her entire life when not pregnant. The increase in estrogen during pregnancy enables the uterus and placenta to: improve vascularization (the formation of blood vessels)

Question 4

Labor

Answer 4

the process by which the fetus and the placenta leave the uterus. Delivery can occur in two ways, vaginally (through the birth canal) or by a cesarean (surgical) delivery.

Question 5

Efface

Answer 5

Effacement and dilatation allow a baby to be born through the birth canal. Effacement means that the cervix stretches and gets thinner. Dilatation means that the cervix opens. As labor nears, the cervix may start to thin or stretch (efface) and open (dilate).

Question 6

Genetic

Answer 6

relating to genes or heredity

Question 7

Sonogram

Answer 7

A fetal ultrasound (sonogram) is an imaging technique that uses sound waves to produce images of a fetus in the uterus. Fetal ultrasound images can help your health care provider evaluate your baby’s growth and development and monitor your pregnancy

Question 8

Infertility

Answer 8

The inability to conceive a child

Question 9

Ectopic Pregnancy

Answer 9

a pregnancy in which the fetus develops outside the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube.

Question 10

Amniotic Fluid

Answer 10

Fluid surrounding the fetus

Question 11

Dilate

Answer 11

The cervix is opening preparing to deliver the baby

Question 12

Sound Waves

Answer 12

Used to create an image in an ultrasound

Question 13

Braxton-Hicks

Answer 13

contractions are sporadic contractions and relaxation of the uterine muscle. Sometimes, they are referred to as prodromal or “false labor” pains. It is believed they start around 6 weeks gestation but usually are not felt until the second or third trimester of the pregnancy

Question 14

Miscarriage

Answer 14

the expulsion of a fetus from the womb before it is able to survive independently, especially spontaneously or as the result of accident.

Question 15

Gestation

Answer 15

the period of time between conception and birth. During this time, the baby grows and develops inside the mother’s womb. Gestational age is the common term used during pregnancy to describe how far along the pregnancy is

Question 16

Glucose/Glucose Test

Answer 16

The glucose challenge test measures your body’s response to sugar (glucose). The glucose challenge test is done during pregnancy to screen for gestational diabetes — diabetes that develops during pregnancy

Question 17

Identical Twins

Answer 17

either of a pair of twins who, as a result of developing from a single fertilized ovum, are alike in all genetic characteristics (including sex) and typically very similar in appearance

Question 18

Fraternal Twins

Answer 18

either of a pair of twins who, as a result of developing from separate fertilized ova, are genetically distinct and not necessarily of the same sex or more similar in appearance than other siblings.

Question 19

Implantation

Answer 19

a process in which a developing embryo, moving as a blastocyst through a uterus, makes contact with the uterine wall and remains attached to it until birth. … If the zygote implants in any area besides the uterus, the result is an ectopic pregnancy.

Question 20

Lactation

Answer 20

The increased prolactin secretion probably helps promote mammary development. In addition, the increased number of pituitary mammotrophs at the end of pregnancy provides the large amounts of prolactin necessary to initiate and maintain lactation

Question 21

Morning Sickness

Answer 21

nausea and vomiting that occurs during pregnancy. And, despite its name, morning sickness can strike at any time of the day or night. Many pregnant women have morning sickness, especially during the first trimester

Question 22

Neonatal

Answer 22

newborn

Question 23

Postpartum

Answer 23

After child birth

Question 24

Preeclampsia

Answer 24

a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys. Preeclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure had been normal

Question 25

Premature Baby

Answer 25

A birth that occurs before the 37th week

Question 26

Trimester

Answer 26

In obstetrics, one of the three divisions of three months each during pregnancy, in which different phases of fetal development take place. The first trimester is a time of basic cell differentiation. The second trimester is a period of rapid growth and maturation of body systems

Question 27

Ultrasound

Answer 27

sound or other vibrations having an ultrasonic frequency, particularly as used in medical imaging.