New Life Glossary

Afterbirth Pains - Pain from the uterus contracting after delivery that feels like "mini" labor pains.

Amniotomy - The artificial rupturing of the amniotic sac surrounding the baby.

Amniotic Fluid - Water-like fluid that surrounds the baby in the mother's uterus.

Amniotic Sac (bag of waters) - Thin membrane that encloses the fetus and contains amniotic fluid.

Analgesia - Pain-relieving medication.

Anesthesia - General or localized pain relief.

Apgar Score - A rating score given to newborns at one and five minutes of age, evaluating color, cry, muscle tone, respiration and reflexes.

Areola - The dark area around the nipple.

Back Labor - The position of the baby (head directed to the mother's back) that causes extreme back discomfort and pressure during labor, occurring in one fourth of all labors.

Bearing Down (pushing) - A reflex that helps to push the baby down the birth canal.

Bilirubin - A yellowish substance formed during the breakdown of old red blood cells in the body.

Braxton-Hicks Contractions - Intermittent uterine contractions that occur more often late in pregnancy. These contractions are usually painless.

Breast Engorgement - Filling of the breasts with milk after delivery. Causes both pain and swelling of the breast.

Cesarean Section - The method used to deliver a baby through a surgical incision in the abdomen and uterus.

Cervix - Lower portion of the uterus that dilates and thins to allow passage of the fetus.

Chloasma - The patchy, darkening of the skin or face due to hormonal changes during pregnancy.

Circumcision - The surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis.

Colostrum - The first "milk"; it is thin and yellow in color. It is present in the breasts during pregnancy. It is the first fluid baby receives when nursing.

Contractions - The rhythmical tightening and relaxation of the uterine muscles that cause changes to occur in the cervix.

Crowning - The appearance of the infant's head at the vaginal opening.

Dilatation - The gradual opening of the cervix to permit the passage of the baby into the vagina, opening from 0 to 10 centimeters.

Effacement - The gradual thinning of the cervix, measured in percentages, from 0 to 100 percent.

Electronic Fetal Monitoring - A machine that records baby's heartbeat and mother's uterine contractions.

Engagement - The entrance of the baby's presenting part into the pelvis.

Episiotomy - A surgical incision of the perineum to enlarge the vaginal opening for delivery.

Epidural Anesthesia - Regional anesthesia administered through a thin plastic catheter into the epidural space in the patient's back. This numbs the lower part of the abdomen and upper legs.

Fallopian Tubes - Tubes that extend from the uterus to the ovaries, capturing eggs as they are released from the ovaries.

Fetus - The unborn baby as it is developing during pregnancy.

Forceps - Instruments used while the mother is pushing to assist the baby under the pubic bone or through the lower part of the birth canal.

Fundus - The upper portion of the uterus.

Gestation - The period of time a baby is carried in the uterus; 40 weeks, 10 lunar months, or 280 days.

Gravida - The total number of times a woman has been pregnant during her lifetime.

Hemorrhoid - A dilated blood vessel inside the anus and beneath the thin lining (internal) or outside the anus and beneath the surface of the skin (external).

Herpes - A virus characterized by small sores in clusters on the genitals. The infection is usually sexually transmitted and can affect baby.

Hormone - A chemical substance produced in the body that is carried through the bloodstream and causes the function of another gland.

Hyperventilation - The condition that results from rapid deep breathing. Symptoms include dizziness, tingling and numbness of the lips and hands.

Induction - The use of medications or amniotomy (rupture of membranes) to stimulate labor contractions.

Inertia - Sluggishness of uterine contractions during labor.

Intrauterine - Inside the uterus.

Involution - The process of the uterus returning to its normal size after pregnancy.

Jaundice - A newborn condition caused by excess yellow bilirubin pigment. Treatment may be required but it is usually not necessary.

Kegel Exercises - An exercise contracting the muscles of the pelvic floor to improve urinary continence and muscle tone.

Lanugo - Fine hair that covers the baby's body and is evident at birth.

Let-down response - The release of milk from the milk glands stimulated by the baby as he/she nurses.

Lightning - The sensation of the baby "dropping" as the baby descends into the pelvis.

Linea Nigra - A darkened line from the navel to the pubic bone that appears during pregnancy. Caused by hormonal changes.

Local Anesthesia - Numbing of the perineum by the physician with anesthetic.

Lochia - The discharge from the uterus following the delivery.

Mastitis - Infection of the breast causing fever and breast tenderness.

Milia - White spots over the bridge of the baby's nose and cheeks that disappear over time.

Meconium - Black-green material that collects in baby's bowel in utero that is normally expelled after delivery. This substance can stain the amniotic fluid if passed prior to delivery.

Molding - The adjusting of the fetal head during labor and delivery to fit through the birth canal.

Mucous Plug - A thick, gelatinous material forming in the cervix during pregnancy to protect the contents of the uterus.

Multigravida - A woman pregnant with her second or subsequent child.

Multipara - A woman who has given birth to more than one child.

Non-Stress Test/"NST" - Monitoring of the fetal heart tones and fetal movement to establish fetal well-being.

Oxytocin - A hormone in the woman's body that contributes to the start of labor and later affects the "let-down" response.

Pelvis - The ring of bones at the bottom of the body that the baby passes through during the birth process.

Perineum - The layers of muscles and tissues between the vagina and rectum.

Peristalsis - The waves of contractions and relaxation of the intestinal muscles needed to move the contents.

Phototherapy - Treatment of jaundice in the newborn by using light therapy.

Pitocin - A synthetic form of oxytocin used to stimulate labor. It also is given after delivery of the placenta to contract the uterus.

Placenta - A round, flat organ in the uterus that exchanges oxygen and nutrients for the baby. This organ delivers after the baby and is commonly known as the "afterbirth."

Postpartum Depression - A condition of depression in new mothers. It involves mild to severe symptoms of sadness, crying, appetite or sleep disturbances, lack of or over concern for baby, or exaggerated highs and/or lows. This disorder requires medicatl treatment.

Post-term Pregnancy - A pregnancy beyond 42 weeks gestation.

Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) - A condition of high blood pressure in the last trimester of pregnancy.

Presentation - Refers to the baby's body part that presents first: cephalic (head), breech (buttocks or legs), or transverse lie (across the abdomen).

Premature Infant (Pre-term) - An infant born before the 37th week.

Primagravida - A woman pregnant for the first time.

Prophylaxis - The prevention of a condition.

Prostaglandin - A chemical substance/medication that causes uterine contractions.

Rh Factor - A marker found on the red blood cells. If you have the marker you are Rh positive; if you are missing the Rh factor you are Rh-negative. Antibodies to the baby's blood can form if you are Rh-negative and are carrying an Rh-positive baby.

Rhogam - An injection given to Rh-negative women to minimize the problems associated with Rh incompatibilities between the mother and newborn.

Rooting - A reflex in the newborn; baby will open its mouth and turn its head toward an object by touching it with his cheek or mouth.

Round Ligament Pain - Pain in one or both groin areas from the stretching or spasm of the round ligaments, that support the uterus.

Show - A pink-tinged or bloody mucous discharge from the vagina as the cervix begins to open.

Sonogram - The use of sound waves to detect a "picture" of the fetus in the uterus. Also known as an ultrasound.

Stages of Labor - First: onset of labor to full dilatation and effacement. Second: from complete dilatation to delivery. Third: from birth to delivery of the placenta.

Station - The location of the baby's head in relation to the pelvis. It is measured from – 4 to + 4.

Trimester - A pregnancy is divided into three trimesters; periods of three months.

Umbilical Cord - Structure that contains two veins and one artery to transport blood and nutrients between the placenta and baby.

Umbilicus - "Belly-button" or navel.

Urinary Catheter - A flexible tube that is placed through the urethra into the bladder to drain and collect urine.

Uterus - A muscular organ that contains the products of conception.

Vacuum Extractor - A soft plastic suction cup that is attached to the baby's head to help guide the baby out of the birth canal.

Vagina - The lower portion of the birth canal.

VBAC - Vaginal birth after Cesarean section.

Vernix - White, thick substance coating a baby inside the amniotic fluid to protect the baby from the fluid. This coating keeps the skin soft and protected until the time of the birth.