Pregnancy Glossary

A
Albumin (Alb)	Protein substance found in most tissues (checked for in urine tests).
Allergy	Reaction produced by sensitivity to a 'foreign' substance.
Anaesthetics	Drugs used to cause local numbness or general unconsciousness.
Analgesics	Pain-relieving drugs which don't cause unconsciousness.
Antibody	Protective substance formed in body against a specific infection.
Apgar score	System used to assess well-being of newborn babies.
B
Bearing down	Pushing movement by mother during second stage of labour.
Blood groups	The ABO classification system depends on whether red cells have A or B antigens (proteins). Your group may be A or B or AB (with both antigens) or O (with neither antigen present). Your Rhesus group relates to the presence or absence of the Rhesus factor (D antigen). About 85 per cent of British people have the factor and are Rh-positive; the remainder are Rh-negative. (Rh-negative mothers may need extra care in pregnancy.)
Blood pressure (BP)	Tension of blood in arteries. Hypertension means that pressure is raised.
Breech presentation	Buttocks or feet (instead of head) are due to be delivered first.
C
Cervix	Neck of womb which opens gradually during labour for delivery of baby.
Contractions	Regular tightening of womb muscles in preparation for delivery.
Crowning	When baby's head can be seen at the vaginal opening.
Cystitis	Inflammation of bladder, usually due to infection.
D
Diabetes (gestational)	Pregnancy condition in which there is temporary increase in blood-sugar level.
Dilation	Gradual opening of cervix in response to womb contractions.
Drip (intravenous)	System for injecting fluid (which may contain medication) very slowly into a vein.
E
EDD	Expected date of delivery.
Embryo	Name for developing baby in first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Enema	Fluid inserted through back passage to flush out bowel contents.
Engagement (Eng)	Baby's head settles in rim of mother's pelvis in preparation for birth.
F
Fallopian tubes	Two tubes linking ovaries with womb, through which egg is released during ovulation.
Foetal distress	A condition in which the baby's heart rate reduces or increases and is a sign that the baby should be delivered quickly.
Foetus	Name for developing baby from about 11th week of pregnancy.
Fontanelles	Two 'soft spots' on newborn baby's head where skull bones have not yet united.
Fundal height	Level in mother's abdomen reached by enlarging womb.
G
Genetic	Relates to feature or condition inherited from one or both parents.
Gestation period	Length of time between conception and birth.
Gynaecologist	Doctor specialising in female reproductive system.
H
Haemoglobin (Hb)	Iron-rich colouring matter of red blood cells which carries oxygen.
Haemorrhage	Bleeding (usually denotes severe or internal bleeding).
Hepatitis	Inflammation of liver due to infection or toxic effects.
I
Immunity	Protection against disease. May be natural, or acquired through contact with a disease or vaccination.
Induction	Artificial methods of starting or accelerating labour.
Inherited conditions	Common examples are cystic fibrosis (Northern Europeans); sickle cell disease (people of African origin); thalassaemia (people of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern origin); Tay Sachs disease (people of Ashkenazi Jewish origin). (See spina bifida prevention and detection in chapters A healthy lifestyle and Understanding scans and tests.)
J
Jaundice	Yellow discolouration of skin and white part of eyes. May be symptom of liver infection or disease.
L
Lie	Position of foetus in the womb.
Lightening	Relief from pressure experienced by mother if womb descends lower into pelvis late in pregnancy (see Engagement).
LMP	Last menstrual period. First day of LMP is needed to estimate EDD.
M
Moulding	Shaping of baby
N
NAD	Nothing abnormal detected (eg in urine test).
O
Ovaries	Two reproductive glands which produce eggs.
P
Pelvic floor	Protective
Perinatal period	Stage of newborn baby
Perineum	Area between vagina and anus (back passage).
Placenta	Fleshy organ through which foetus receives oxygen and nutrients in the womb.
Pre-eclampsia	Potentially serious pregnancy problem. Symptoms can include rise in blood pressure, protein in urine, sudden weight gain, and oedema (swelling of tissues due to fluid retention).
Q
Quickening	First movements of baby felt by mother.
U
Ultrasound scan	Screening system using sound waves from womb to build up images of unborn baby on computer screen.
Uterus	Medical term for womb, a hollow organ in which unborn baby develops.
V
Vagina	Canal leading from external genital organs to womb, through which baby passes during delivery. Separated from womb at inner end by cervix (neck of womb).