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A stay in a hospital
for treatment or observation.
The membrane that surrounds
and protects the fetus in the womb.
The liquid inside
the amnion that surrounds and protects the fetus. Also known
as “waters.”
Relief of pain without
the loss of consciousness. Medications given to provide pain
relief are called analgesics.
Partial or total
loss of feeling or consciousness to prevent pain during medical
treatment. Drugs given to induce loss of feeling or consciousness
are called anesthetics.
Before delivery;
the period of pregnancy before labor begins.
Drugs used to prevent
or treat infection from bacteria.
: A quick means of
assessing a baby’s overall health in the first minutes
after birth. The Apgar score measures heart rate, breathing,
muscle condition, reflexes, and color.
A test that measures how
much of a substance is present in a sample.
asymptomatic: Without symptoms.
Listening for sounds,
such as those produced by the heart or lungs, during a medical
examination
A way to manage health
problems in which the patient stays in bed as much as possible.
Bed rest may be prescribed to prevent preterm labor.
betamethasone: A corticosteroid drug given to the mother who
is experiencing preterm labor (PTL) symptoms to help the fetus’s
lungs develop.
An ultrasound
test to assess the general health of a fetus. The profile
includes five measures: movement, breathing, motion of the
arms or legs, ability to react to stimulus, and the amount
of amniotic fluid present.
Light,
usually painless, and irregular contractions during early
pregnancy. In the third trimester, these contractions may
increase in frequency, intensity, or rhythm.
Encircling the cervix
with a loop or ring. A doctor may suggest cerclage if the
cervix is too weak to support the fetus. Often cerclage is
done in the 12th to 14th week of pregnancy as a preventive
step. It can also be done after the cervix has begun to open
or has started to shorten (a sign of impending labor). The
procedure, usually done through the vagina, involves the use
of anesthesia.
A licensed health care professional who has had education
and training as both a nurse and a midwife. CNMs provide a
range of women’s health care: gynecologic exams; family
planning; care before, during, and after birth; menopause
management; health maintenance counseling; and preventive
care. To earn their certificate, CNMs must pass an examination.
A method of
“softening” the cervix to make it relaxed and
thinner, as a way to make birth easier during induced labor.
The most common agent used to ripen the cervix is a hormone
called prostaglandin 2 (PGE2, also called dinoprostone; Prepidil®,
Cervidil®). Other agents used for this purpose include
PGE1 (misoprostol; Cytotec®) and oxytocin.
The lower, narrow end
of the uterus, which connects to the vagina.
cervix, favorable: See favorable cervix.
cervix, unfavorable: See unfavorable cervix.
A surgical procedure in which the doctor makes an incision
in the mother’s abdomen and uterus so the baby can be
delivered without passing through the vagina.
Inflammation
of the chorion and the amnion.
The outer membrane that
surrounds the embryo and helps create the placenta.
Rhythmic tightening
and relaxing of the uterus during labor.
A reason that
a certain medical treatment should not be given.
A hormone produced
by the adrenal glands or in the laboratory (synthetically)
that helps reduce inflammation. During preterm labor (PTL),
corticosteroids may be prescribed to promote fetal lung development.
The appearance of the
baby’s head through the vagina during birth.
The process of growing
cells or a microorganism (such as a bacterium, fungus, or
virus) in a laboratory. Also, the substance (sometimes called
the medium) in which the process of culturing takes place.
A mucous membrane that
forms the inner lining of the uterus. This membrane is shed
during birth.
Movement of the fetus through the cervix during labor. Usually
the fetus is positioned with the head down, so that the head
is the first part of the body to begin the descent. If the
fetus is in a different position, another part of the body
— a limb or the buttocks — may be the first to
descend and appear through the vagina. In these cases, doctors
may refer to the “descent of the presenting part.”
A corticosteroid
given to the mother during preterm labor (PTL) to promote
fetal lung development.
Stretching or widening;
the cervix dilates during delivery to allow the baby to pass
through. Also called dilation.
Stretching or widening;
see dilatation.
The thinning of the
cervix as it widens during delivery.
See electronic fetal monitoring.
See estimated fetal weight.
Use of a device to detect and record the fetal heart rate
if the fetus is experiencing stress or distress.
During
labor, the moment when the widest part of the fetus’s
head moves past the opening of the pelvis (the pelvic inlet).
An injection of anesthesia
into a space that surrounds the spinal column. It blocks the
transmission of nerve signals along the spine.
Incision made in
the skin between the vagina and the anus (the perineum) to
prevent the skin from tearing and to make it easier for the
baby to pass through during delivery.
A prediction, based on various assessments, of how much the
fetus weighs. This information is important because it helps
determine how the fetus is developing and whether its size
might affect the delivery; abbreviated EFW. Often doctors
use ultrasound as a way to estimate fetal weight.
A sign that
the cervix is ready for the delivery of the baby or that labor
can be induced. Doctors often assess the cervix using a set
of guidelines called the Bishop’s score. This score
measures the extent of dilatation, effacement, and position
of the uterus, among other things. If labor has not started,
a Bishop score of 6 or more is a sign that labor most likely
can be induced successfully.
A protein
found in the membranes of the placenta; abbreviated fFN. fFN
acts as a kind of “glue” that binds the placenta
and membranes to the uterus. During labor, the lining between
the mother and the baby begins to break down and release fFN
into the secretions of the vagina and cervix. Measuring fFN
helps doctors predict whether delivery will occur within the
next 14 days or before 35 weeks.
The rate
at which the fetus’s heart beats; abbreviated FHR. As
the fetus develops, the rate slows. At 16 weeks’ gestation,
the average rate is about 160 beats per minute; at 40 weeks,
the rate is about 140 beats per minute.
The degree
to which the fetus’s lungs have developed. Normally,
a baby who has been in the womb for the full term (37 weeks
or more) has fully mature (developed) lungs at birth. Preterm
babies may not have had enough time for full lung maturity
and may have trouble breathing on their own.
fetus: The unborn baby developing in the womb. The term usually
refers to the baby from the eighth week of gestation till
the moment of birth. Before 8 weeks, it is called an embryo.
See fetal fibronectin.
Fetal heart rate.
See fetal
fibronectin.
See stages
of labor.
The first 3
months (13 weeks) of gestation.
The part of the vagina
that surrounds the cervix, creating pouch-like areas.
The time during which
the fetus develops, from the moment of conception to the moment
of birth. This typically lasts about 38 weeks.
The estimated
age of the fetus based on the time that has passed since the
first day of the mother’s last menstrual period. This
typically lasts approximately 40 weeks.
A pregnant woman.
Giving
fluids as a way to prevent preterm labor. In some cases, hydration
involves giving a liquid (Ringer’s solution) intravenously.
A
reason for a doctor to prescribe or begin treatment, such
as a diagnosis of a disease or condition.
Steps
taken to begin the process of childbirth. Doctors may induce
labor in cases where the health of the mother or the baby
might be endangered if the pregnancy continued much longer
or for elective reasons.
Redness,
swelling, and pain caused when the body works to repair damage
caused by injury or infection.
The body’s reaction to injury or infection.
i Medical
inspection of the body’s internal organs or tissues,
such as a vaginal exam.
The final menstrual period before a pregnancy began; used
as a way of estimating the age of the fetus (gestational age).
Usually this starting time is about 2 weeks before the egg
was actually fertilized.
Last menstrual period.
See fetal lung maturity.
A drug used to stop preterm labor, among other things.
meconium: Waste matter produced in the intestines of newborn
babies and passed during the first day or two after birth.
Meconium is thick, sticky, and green or black in color.
A
layer of tissue that covers a body surface, lines a cavity,
or separates parts of an organ. Membranes serve many purposes:
they protect the underlying tissue, hold fluid, and allow
substances (such as nutrients, chemicals, or waste products)
to pass in and out.
midwife, certified nurse: See certified nurse-midwife.
Loss of the fetus before the 22nd week of gestation or before
the baby is able to survive outside the womb without artificial
support.
A woman who has given birth one or more times.
Describing a woman who has given birth one or more times.
A
single pregnancy in which more than one fetus is present,
such as twins or triplets.
A
measure of the chances that a person whose test results are
negative does not in fact have the substance, disease, or
condition that the test was designed to reveal.
Findings from a lab test or procedure that show a substance,
disease, or condition is not present.
neonatal intensive care unit (NICU): A hospital ward dedicated
to treating newborn babies, especially those born prematurely;
abbreviated NICU.
A
doctor who specializes in treating sick or ill babies during
the first weeks or months after birth.
Neonatal
intensive care unit.
nonstress test (NST): A way of assessing the health of the
fetus using a monitor to measure the fetal heart rate before
the onset of labor.
Nonstress test.
nulliparous: Describing a woman who has not yet given birth
to her first child.
nurse practitioner: A registered nurse with advanced training
in diagnosing and treating illness; abbreviated NP. NPs focus
on prevention, wellness, and education, and may be able to
prescribe medications, treat illness, and administer physical
exams.
A doctor who specializes in treating women during pregnancy
and labor and who can perform certain kinds of surgery.
An opening or orifice in the body or in an organ such as the
cervix. (In Latin, the word os means “mouth.”)
A hormone produced by the body that stimulates the uterus
to contract during labor. Oxytocin also stimulates the breasts
to release milk. A synthetic form of the hormone sometimes
is given to pregnant women to induce contractions.
A term used to describe a woman’s history of pregnancy
and childbirth.
Describing a woman who has given birth at least once.
Labor and childbirth.
Examination of a woman’s reproductive organs. Doctors
typically use a speculum to see inside the vagina and the
cervix. They also insert their fingers to feel the uterus
and ovaries and to detect swelling or tenderness.
Measuring
the size of the pelvis, often done to make sure the baby’s
head will be able to pass through the mother’s pelvis
during delivery.
The period before and after birth (typically from between
the 20th and 28th week of gestation to the first 1 to 4 weeks
after delivery).
A
doctor specializing in treatment of the fetus and its mother
during pregnancy and through delivery.
Pitocin®: Brand name of a synthetic form of oxytocin.
The organ that forms around the fetus in the uterus. The placenta
protects the fetus and links the blood supply of the mother
to that of the fetus.
positive predictive value: The probability that a person whose
test results are positive actually has the substance, disease,
or condition the test was designed to reveal.
Findings from a lab test or procedure that show a substance,
disease, or condition is present.
Refers to a fetus whose gestational age is more than 42 weeks.
Preterm premature rupture of membranes.
predisposing factor: A condition that increases the chances
that something will happen, such as the development of a certain
disease.
premature rupture of membranes (PROM): Breaking open of the
amniotic sac and loss of amniotic fluid before labor has started.
PROM can occur whether or not the baby has reached full gestation.
If PROM happens before 37 weeks of gestation, it is called
preterm premature rupture of membranes, or pPROM.
The condition of an infant born before 37 weeks of gestation.
Before birth.
Contractions of the uterus and/or significant changes in the
cervix that take place before gestation is complete, usually
before the 37th week of pregnancy.
Breaking open of the
amniotic sac and loss of amniotic fluid before the 37th week
of gestation; abbreviated pPROM. See also premature rupture
of membranes.
Premature rupture of the membranes.
A number that scientists use to estimate how many people with
a certain risk factor will develop a disease or condition,
compared with the number of people without that risk factor
who will develop the disease.
An event or trait associated with an increased likelihood
of having a disease or medical problem; for example, smoking
is a risk factor for cancer.
A medication given to stop or prevent contractions of the
uterus before term.
Opening of the amniotic sac and loss of amniotic fluid. Rupture
of membranes usually occurs as part of labor, but it can also
happen before labor begins.
A piece of tissue or small amount of body fluid, such as blood
or urine, collected for study in a lab. (See specimen.)
A test to detect whether a person has (or is at risk for)
a disease or condition. Often screens are given even though
there are no symptoms or other reasons to suspect the disease
is present.
See stages of labor.
The
second 3 months (13 weeks) of pregnancy.
The
precision with which a medical test can identify a person
who has a certain medical condition.
The precision with which a medical test can identify whether
a person does not have a certain medical condition.
A piece of tissue or small amount of body fluid, such as blood
or urine, collected for study in a lab. (See sample.)
A
medical tool that enables the doctor to spread the walls of
a body opening, such as the vagina, to examine the cervix.
Loss
of a fetus that occurs naturally (that is, without a surgical
procedure or use of a drug to cause abortion). The medical
term for miscarriage.
Guidelines doctors use to determine how far labor has progressed.
The first stage begins when the uterus starts to contract
and ends when the cervix has become fully dilated (widened).
This stage can last hours or even days. The second stage begins
when the cervix is fully dilated and ends when the baby passes
through the birth canal (vagina) and out of the mother’s
body. This stage typically lasts from 20 minutes to a few
hours. In the third stage, the placenta (afterbirth) passes
through the vagina (or is removed by hand). Caregivers then
clean and stitch any tears or incisions made during birth.
See stages of labor.
The
final months of pregnancy. Typically, the third trimester
lasts 3 months (13 weeks), but it may last more or fewer weeks
depending on when the baby is actually born.
Medical
steps taken to stop or slow preterm labor by preventing contractions
of the uterus.
A
period of three months (13 weeks).
A medical technology that uses sound waves and their echoes
to produce images, such as images of a fetus in the womb.
A sign that the cervix is not ready for the delivery of the
baby or that labor should not be induced. (See
also favorable cervix.)
The delivery of a baby through the vagina of a mother who
previously gave birth by cesarean section (C-section).
VBAC: See vaginal birth after cesarean.
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