Glossary of Pregnancy-Related Terms
A - D E
- H I - O P
- R S - Z
|
| eclampsia | A serious and rare condition affecting
women in late pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Usually follows preeclampsia.
Symptoms include hypertension, edema, and protein in the urine. May
require emergency delivery. |
| ectopic pregnancy | A pregnancy outside of the
uterus, usually in the Fallopian tubes. Must be surgically removed
to prevent rupture and permanent damage. |
| edema | Accumulation of fluid in the body's tissues
causing swelling. Very common during pregnancy. Can be a sign of kidney
or urological problems. |
| effacement | The thinning of the cervix during
labor and its merging with the uterus wall in preparation for the
delivery of the baby. |
| egg | The ovum that unites with sperm. |
| embryo | Medical term for the growing being early
on in pregnancy, from the time of implantation through the first 8
weeks of gestation. |
| engagement | The engagement of the baby's head
into the pelvic region. |
| epidural | Anesthesia administered to a laboring
mother into the epidural space at the base of the spine to numb the
lower body. It decreases or eliminates pain, enabling her to save
her strength for pushing. It can numb the lower body entirely, so
she's unable to feel contractions when it is time to push out the
baby. |
| episiotomy | An incision into the perinieum the
obstetrician or midwife may make to prevent tearing during delivery. |
| fertilization | The union of egg and sperm. |
| fetal distress | When a fetus has problems regarding
oxygen levels or heartbeat. |
| fetal presentation | The orientation of the fetus
in a mother's pelvic region. |
| fetus | An embryo after 8 weeks in the womb until
birth. |
| follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) | Produced
by the pituitary gland to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs. Produce
estrogen and progesterone, too. |
| follicles | The portion of the ovaries that produces
eggs. |
| forceps | A hinged, tong-like device placed on
a baby's head to ease him out during birth if the delivery becomes
difficult. |
| full term | A baby born between 38-42 weeks gestation. |
| fundal height | The distance from the top of
a pregnant woman's uterus to her pubic bone. Measured to determine
fetal age. |
| fundus | The upper, rounded part of the uterus. |
| gestation | The period during which a fetus develops
in the uterus. |
| gestational age | The age of a fetus in utero
or that of a premature newborn who is measured by weeks. |
| gestational diabetes mellitus | A pregnancy-related
condition that a woman may develop when the blood sugar level becomes
abnormally high. Must be treated as soon as it's detected. Usually
disappears after childbirth. |
| gravida | The medical term for a pregnant woman. |
| hormone | Any of various internally secreted
compounds manufactured in the body to control everything from metabolism
to menstruation, from growth to lactation. |
| human chorionic gonadotropin | A hormone produced
by the placenta during pregnancy that triggers the release of estrogen
and progesterone. Excreted in urine, hCG is used in testing to detect
pregnancy. |
