The following are important terms that every woman should know before going into labor.
AMNIOTIC FLUID: a protective fluid which surrounds the fetus within the uterus
AMNIOTOMY: a procedure in which the amniotic sac is artificially ruptured
AMNIOCENTESIS: medical procedure in which amniotic fluid is drawn from the amniotic sac
BACK LABOR: a situation during labor in which the baby is in a posterior position, causing extreme labor pains in the back due to the position of the baby's head
BILIRUBIN: a yellow substance created by the break down of old red blood cells
BIRTH CANAL: what the baby passed through during birth
BIRTH PLAN: a set of wishes and intructions concerning the conditions of labor and delivery, written by a pregnant woman and usually signed by her doctor or midwife
BRADLEY METHOD: a method of childbirth which emphasizes natural childbirth and partner involvement
BRAXTON HICKS CONTRACTIONS: contractions which occur in the weeks before labor begins which serve to strengthen the uterus and prepare it for labor
BREECH: a condition in which the baby is positioned upright in the uterus with the feet or buttocks presenting first for delivery
CESAREAN SECTION: major surgery in which an incision is made in the abdomen and the baby is manually extracted from the uterus
CERVIX: the mouth of the uterus
CHORION: outer membrane of the amniotic sac
COCCYX: triangular bone at the base of the spine
COLOSTRUM: the first fluid in the mother's breast before her milk comes in
CONTRACTION: a tightening of the uterine muscle which causes the cervix to dilate
CPD: cephlo-pelvic disproportion; baby's head cannot pass through the mother's pelvis
CROWNING: the appearance of the baby's head in the vaginal opening
DILATION: opening of the cervix
DOULA: a woman who serves as an advocate and a support person for the laboring woman
EFFACEMENT: thinning out of the cervix
ENDOMETRIUM: lining of the uterus
ENGAGEMENT: point at which the baby's head descends into the mother's pelvis
EPIDURAL: method of pain relief during labor
EPISIOTOMY: an incision made to the perineum
EXTERNAL VERSION: outside manipulation of the baby's position within the uterus
FETAL BIOPHYSICAL PROFILE: test of fetal physical functions
FETAL DISTRESS: stress to the fetus during labor due to lack of oxygen
FONTANEL: soft spot on the newborn's head
FUNDUS: top of the uterus
HEMORRHAGE: excessive bleeding
HYPNOBIRTHING: method of childbirth in which hypnosis is used to prepare for labor as well as for relaxation and pain relief during labor
INDUCTION: artificial start of labor
INTRAUTERINE: within the uterus
JAUNDICE: a condition in which a newborn's skin and eyes appear yellow due to a build-up of bilirubin
LAMAZE: a method of childbirth emphasizing a series of breathing techniques
LANUGO: fine hair that covers the fetus
LOCHIA: discharge of blood and the lining of the uterus after the placenta is delivered
MECONIUM: the baby's first bowel movement
MIDWIFE: a birth professional who provides prenatal care and attends labor and birth
MOLDING: shape of the baby's head from the pressure of birth
MUCUS PLUG: the substance which protects the opening of the cervix
MYOMETRIUM: uterine muscle
NATURAL CHILDBIRTH: childbirth without the use of medical pain relief
OXYTOCIN: hormone that causes the uterus to contract
PERINEUM: the sensitive area between the vagina and the anus
PLACENTA: short term organ which attaches to the uterine wall and through which nourshment flows to the fetus
POSTERIOR PRESENTATION: position in which the baby's back is to the mother's back
POSTPARTUM: after birth
PROLACTIN: hormone that stimulates lactation
PROLAPSED CORD: condition in which the umbilical cord passes through the cervix before the baby does
STRIPPING THE MEMBRANES: separation of the amniotic sac from the uterine wall by a doctor or midwife
TACHYCARDIA: rapid heart rate
UMBILICAL CORD: cord which connect the fetus to the placenta
UTERUS: muscular organ in which a fetus develops
VAGINA: muscular passage connecting the cervix to the external genitalia
VBAC: vaginal birth after cesarean
VERNIX CASEOSA: cheese-like substance covering a newborn baby
WHARTON'S JELLY: substance within the umbilical cord
WOMB: uterus
