Abortion

Intentional removal of a fetus from the uterus.

Alpha-fetoprotein test

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein that is produced during fetal development. The AFP test is an analysis of the mother’s blood serum to determine whether the level of AFP denotes a risk of a birth defect.

Amenorrhea

Absence of menstruation.

Amniocentesis

A procedure for obtaining amniotic fluid.

Amniotomy

Incision into the amnion to induce labor.

Apgar score

A technique used to assess the general wellbeing of a newborn. The newborn is assessed one minute after birth and again five minutes after birth.

Artificial insemination

A process where the semen is introduced into the vagina by mechanical means.

Breech

The position of the fetus is feet first. Ideally, the position of the fetus should be headfirst for a safer delivery.

Cesarean section

Delivery of the fetus through an abdominal incision.

Cephalopelvic disproportion

A condition where the infant’s head is larger than the mother’s pelvis.

Cerclage

A suture inserted into the cervix to prevent dilation and prevention miscarriage.

Chorioamnionitis

Inflammation of the chorion and amnion.

Choriocarcinoma

A malignant, fast-growing tumor that develops from trophoblastic cells (cells that help an embryo attach to the uterus and help form the placenta).

Chorionic villus sampling

A procedure in which tissue from the placenta is tested for fetal chromosomal disorders.

Colostrum

A thick, yellowish substance secreted from a mother’s breasts in the first postpartum days.

Dilation and curettage (D&C)

A procedure to scrape and remove tissue from the inner lining of the uterus. The cervix is dilated (made larger) and a curette (spoon-shaped instrument) is inserted into the uterus to remove tissue. The procedure is used to test tissue for signs of disease, after a miscarriage, or to treat certain conditions.

Dystocia

Slow or difficult labor.

Eclampsia

A very serious condition in pregnant women with hypertension; patients are at high risk of coma, convulsions, and even death.

Ectopic pregnancy

A pregnancy in which the fertilized ovum is implanted in any tissue other than the uterine wall.

Episiotomy

Incision made in the posterior vaginal wall and perineum that facilitates vaginal birth.

Fetal

Pertaining to the fetus.

Gestation

The period required for embryonic and fetal development in utero; pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes

Diabetes mellitus that occurs during pregnancy but resolves by the end of pregnancy in women without a history of diabetes.

Gestational hypertension

Elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure in pregnant women.

Gravidity

The number of pregnancies, complete or incomplete, experienced by a woman.

Hyperemesis gravidarum

Excessive vomiting during pregnancy. Hyperemesis can occur with any pregnant woman, even a woman who miscarried. Often these women may require hospitalization for fluid and electrolyte intake.

Induction

The process of bringing on or starting labor through artificial means.

In vitro fertilization

A process where the ova is fertilized outside the body and then implanted into the uterus.

Lactic acid

A substance produced by the body, such as during strenuous exercise, that aids in various chemical processes in the body.

Meconium

Fetal wastes consisting of ingested amniotic fluid, cellular debris, mucus, and bile.

Microcephaly

A congenital abnormality where the head is small.

Midwifery

Practice of assisting in childbirth.

Natal

Pertaining to being born or birth.

Neonatal

Pertaining to the newborn’s first thirty days of life outside of the uterus.

Neonate

An infant during the first 28 days after birth.

Neonatologist

Physician who studies and treats disorders of the newborn.

Neonatology

A subspecialty of pediatric medicine concerned with the newborn.

Obstetrician

A doctor who specializes in caring for women during pregnancy and childbirth.

Obstetrics and gynecology

A branch of medicine that specializes in the care of women during pregnancy and childbirth and in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the female reproductive organs; also called OB/GYN.

Oligohydramnios

A condition of abnormally low amniotic fluid volume.

Oocyte

Immature egg cell.

Parturition

Childbirth.

Placenta abruptio

Occurs when the placenta prematurely becomes detached from the uterine wall, resulting in uterine bleeding, fetal distress, or fetal death; also known as abruptio placenta.

Placenta previa

Low placement of fetus within the uterus, which causes the placenta to partially or completely cover the opening of the cervix as it grows.

Polyhydramnios

A condition where there is excessive amniotic fluid in the placenta.

Postnatal

Pertaining to after birth.

Postpartum

The period of approximately 6 weeks immediately following childbirth.

Preeclampsia

The abnormal condition in pregnancy where the patient experiences hypertension, edema, and proteinuria.

Prenatal

Having to do with the time a female is pregnant, before birth occurs; also called antenatal.

Primigravida

First pregnancy.

Pseudocyesis

False pregnancy.

Puerperal

Pertaining to immediately after childbirth.

Puerperium

Time directly after childbirth (6 to 8 weeks after giving birth).

Sperm

Male gamete (spermatozoon).

Stillbirth

An infant who is born dead.

Teratogen

An agent capable of producing malformations in a developing embryo.

Teratology

A branch of embryology for the study of congenital malformations and developmental abnormalities.

Vaginal birth following a C-section

Delivery of an infant through the vagina in a female who has had a prior cesarean section.

Zygote

A single cell formed by the fusion of an egg and sperm; also called the fertilized egg.