Glossary of Pregnancy-Related Terms
A - D E
- H I - O P
- R S - Z
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| pitocin | The brand name of a synthetic form
of the hormone oxytocin. The drug is used to induce labor. |
| perinatal | Referring to the period of time before,
during, and immediately after birth. |
| perineum | The area between the vagina and anus.
When an episiotomy is performed during childbirth, it is the perineum
that is cut. |
| persistent fetal circulation | A condition in
which a newborn has difficulty making the transition from living in
the womb to the outside world. May produce respiratory problems. |
| phenylketonuria | All babies born in the U.S.
are tested at birth for PKU, a genetic disorder of a liver enzyme
that disrupts normal body functions. If not carefully regulated by
diet early in infancy, PKU can cause mental retardation. |
| placenta | A pancake-shaped organ that develops
in the uterus just 12 days after conception, providing nutrients for
the fetus and eliminating its waste products. Commonly referred to
as the afterbirth because it's delivered after the baby. |
| placenta previa | A pregnancy-related condition
in which the placenta is attached too low onthe uterine wall, fully
or partially covering the opening of the uterus. The condition can
cause hemorrhaging in late pregnancy or make vaginal delivery impossible. |
| postpartum depression | More severe than the
more common and milder baby blues, postpartumdepression is characterized
by sadness, impatience, restlessness, and inability to care for the
baby. |
| preeclampsia | Formerly known as toxemia, preeclampsia
is a disease characterized by high blood pressure, swelling of the
face and hands, and protein in the urine after the 20th week of pregnancy.
A serious condition if left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to complications
or death in the mother or baby. |
| pregnancy hormones | Formerly known as toxemia,
preeclampsia is a disease characterized by high blood pressure, swelling
of the face and hands, and protein in the urine after the 20th week
of pregnancy. A serious condition if left untreated, preeclampsia
can lead to complications or death in the mother or baby. |
| pregnancy-induced hypertension | Elevation of
a pregnant woman's blood pressure, usually in the last trimester.
Less severe than preeclampsia, which can lead to serious complications
andshould be carefully monitored by a physician. |
| premature | (also preterm) The term used
to describe babies born before 37 weeks of gestation. Fewer than 10
percent of babies arrive this early. |
| premature rupture of membranes | Rupture of the
amniotic sac before labor begins, as early as several months before
the baby is due. If PROM occurs at 37 weeks or later, most physicians
will induce; if it occurs before, a woman may be put on bedrest and
carefully monitored. |
| preterm labor | Labor that begins after 20 weeks,
when the fetus is considered viable, andbefore the 37th week, when
the baby is considered full-term. Prompt medicaltreatment can occasionally
halt or postpone early labor, improving thebaby's chances for survival. |
| primigravida | Latin term for a woman pregnant
for the first time. |
| primipara | Latin term for a woman who has given
birth once. |
| prolactin | The hormone that activates a mother's
milk-producing glands. Delivery of the placenta signals a woman's
body to begin producing prolactin. |
| prolapsed cord | In one of every 300 or so births,
the umbilical cord slips out through the cervix ahead of the baby,
which is dangerous because uterine contractions block blood flow to
the baby. Unless the cervix is already dilated and birth is imminent,
cesarean delivery is the usual solution. |
| pudendal block | A procedure to anesthetize the
area around the vulva. |
| puerperium | The period from the third stage
of labor through the uterus's recovery after childbirth. |
| quickening | The first fetal movements felt by
a pregnant woman, usually between the 18thand 22nd weeks. They can
be felt as early as the 14th week and sometimes not until the 26th. |
| Rh incompatibility | A condition in which a baby's
blood type is incompatible with the mother's. If carefully monitored
and treated, women whose Rh factor is incompatible with their fetus's
will usually give birth to a healthy baby. |
| respiratory distress syndrome | Common in premature
infants, RDS means a baby can't take in enough oxygen because his
or her lungs aren't yet fully developed. With proper treatment, about
80 percent of babies recover fully. |
| rooting reflex | One of the reflexes present
at birth; infants will automatically turn their heads and start sucking
when their cheeks are stroked. |
