Pregnancy Terms Flashcards
Amniotic Fluid
This protective liquid, consisting mostly of fetal urine and water, fills the sac surrounding the fetus.
Breech Presentation
When the fetus is positioned head up to be born buttocks first or with one or both feet first.
Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD)
Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD): The baby is too large to safely pass through the mother’s pelvis
Cervidil
Cervidil: A medication used to ripen the cervix before induction.
Cesarean
Cesarean: An incision through the abdominal and uterine walls for delivery of the baby; it may be vertical or more commonly horizontal. Also called abdominal delivery; commonly called C-Section.
Colostrum
This is a thin, white fluid discharge from the breasts in the early stage of milk production; this is usually noticeable during the last couple weeks of pregnancy.
Complete Breech
Complete Breech: The baby’s buttocks are presenting at the cervix, but the legs are folded “Indian style,” making vaginal delivery difficult or impossible
Contraction
Contraction: The regular tightening of the uterus, working to push the baby down the birth canal
Crowned/Crowning
Crowned/Crowning: When the baby’s head has passed through the birth canal and the top or “crown” stays visible at the vaginal opening.
Dilation
Dilation: The extent to which the cervix has opened in preparation for childbirth. It is measured in centimeters, with full dilation being 10 centimeters
Effacement
Effacement: This refers to the thinning of the cervix in preparation for birth and is expressed in percentages. You will be 100% effaced when you begin pushing
Engaged
The baby’s presenting part (usually the head) has settled into the pelvic cavity, which usually happens during the last month of pregnancy
Epidural
A common method of anesthesia used during labor. It is inserted through a catheter which is threaded through a needle, into the epidural space near the spinal cord
Episiotomy
An incision made to the perineum to widen the vaginal opening for delivery
Fetal Distress
Condition when the baby is not receiving enough oxygen or is experiencing some other complication
Fontanelle
Soft spots between the unfused sections of the baby’s skull. These allow the baby’s head to compress slightly during passage through the birth canal
Forceps
Tong-shaped instrument that may be used to help guide the baby’s head out of the birth canal during delivery
Frank Breech
The baby’s buttocks are presenting at the cervix, and the baby’s legs are extended straight up to the baby’s
Incontinence
Inability to control excretions. Urinary incontinence can occur as the baby places heavy pressure on the bladder
Induced Labor
Labor is started or accelerated through intervention, such as placing prostaglandin gel on the cervix, using an IV drip of the hormone oxytocin (Pitocin), or by rupturing the membranes
Jaundice
condition in newborn babies reflected in yellowing of the skin. This is caused by the immature liver’s inability to process excess red blood cells.
Labor
Regular contractions of the uterus that result in dilation and effacement of the cervix
Lightening
When the baby drops in preparation for delivery (engagement)
Meconium
This is a greenish substance that builds up in the baby’s bowels and is generally excreted shortly after delivery
