Navigating the Study Packet

Table of Contents | Overview | Framework | Lesson 1 | Lesson 2 | Lesson 3 | Lesson 4 | Lesson 5 | Lesson 6 | Lesson 7 | Lesson 8 | Lesson 9 | Lesson 10 | Authors/Acknowledgements | Appendix A | Appendix B | Appendix C | Appendix D | Appendix E | Appendix F | Download PDF Version

The Table of Contents has longer descriptions of these links.

Anatomy

                                    Latin/definition

Breast 

mamm/o

Bladder

a sac that holds urine

Cervix        

The neck of the uterus

end/o/metr/ium

Lining of the uterus                 

Fallopian Tubes           

salping/o

Fundus 

The upper end of the uterus

Gonads

Ovaries secrete estrogens and progesterone; testes secrete testosterone

Ovary             

Oophor/o

Uterus 

hyster/o

Vagina 

colp/o

Vulva

The external parts of the female genital organs

Women           

gynec/o

Pancreas

Behind stomach. Controls use of sugar and starch. Islands of Langerhans secrete insulin.                              

Pelvic cavity

Cavity within hip bones that contains uterus.                          

Perineum

The area between the anus and the posterior part of the exterior genitalia.

Rectum

Last section of the colon before anus.

Thyroid          

Endocrine gland, thyr/o

Pregnancy

 Anatomy | Pregnancy | Complications of Pregnancy | Labor and Delivery

2 eggs fertilized

Fraternal twins

Amenorrhea           

Not menstruating, overdue; one of the first signs of pregnancy

Amniocentesis

Amniotic fluid is withdrawn transabdominally from the amniotic sac which surrounds the fetus; then analyzed for specific fetal abnormalities

Braxton Hicks

Irregular, painless contractions from the 9/10th week on. Become more frequent as pregnancy advances.

Breast changes

Sign of pregnancy – increased vascularity and sensation of heaviness – appear about 6 weeks.  By 8 weeks, nipple and surrounding area – the primary areola – have become more pigmented. By 16 weeks a clear fluid (colostrum) is secreted.

Chorionic Villus Sampling

CVS may be performed between the 9th and 14th weeks of pregnancy, if there are risks for specific chromosomal or genetic conditions (Downs Syndrome, Tay-Sachs).

Common tests

MSAFP: maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein - commonly measured between 15 & 21 weeks
HCG: human chorionic gonadotrophin
Estriol
All 3 together may be called triple screening.

Embryo

A baby in the early stages of growth and differentiation.

Fetus

A developing baby in utero.

Gestation/gestational age

Period of pregnancy – 280 days in humans (40 weeks)

Hormones

Estrogen, progesterone, prolactin

In vitro fertilization

Instilling or implanting fertilized ovum into uterus.

Lamaze classes

Pre-natal classes

Nausea

Some women experience in early months of pregnancy, especially early in the morning; often called morning sickness.

Ovulation

Time at which egg is released from the ovary.

Pregnant

Containing unborn child within the body.

Pregnancy test

Various tests used to determine pregnancy.

Rh testing

(Rhesus) testing for Rh incompatibility (see complications of pregnancy).

Striae gravidarum

Depressed streaks on the skin of the fat areas – abdomen, breasts, thighs – due to stretching.

Testing for syphilis, Gonorrhea, HIV

Typically testing is done in order to rule out any type of disease that is present and could potentially be passed on to the baby.

Trimester

First trimester (first 14 weeks)
Second trimester (weeks 14-28)
Third trimester (weeks 28-40)

Ultrasound

Procedure of using high frequency sound to produce an image of a fetus or other organ.  Pioneered by Donald in Glascow in the late 1950’s.  Used for fetal assessment.

Complications of Pregnancy

 Anatomy | Pregnancy | Complications of Pregnancy | Labor and Delivery

Bicornuate uterus

A uterus formed with two horn shaped cavities at the top. For additional background on potential complications resulting from this condition, visit the following link: http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/bicorn.html.

Constipation

Hardening of the stools due to decrease in water.

Doula

A woman who helps other women in childbirth; does not perform any medical duties.

Ectopic pregnancy

The products of conception develop outside the uterine cavity; the most common site is the fallopian tube.

Edema

Swelling of the feet and ankles; also face and hands. May be an early warning sign of developing pre-eclampsia.

Fibroids

Benign tumors of uterus.

Gestational diabetes

Appearance of diabetes during pregnancy is a previously non-diabetic woman.

Heartburn

Reflux of acids from stomach causing burning/pain in esophagus.

High blood pressure

Hypertension: pre-existing hypertension – elevated blood pressure before pregnancy or in the 1st 20 weeks.

Hyperemesis gravidarum

Beyond ordinary nausea and vomiting, rejection of all food and drink.

Laparoscopy

Main method of diagnosis for suspected ectopic pregnancy.  Laparascope inserted through small incisions in abdomen to examine pelvic cavity.

Midwife

A woman who helps other women in childbirth; may perform some medical duties.

Miscarriage

Medically referred to as a spontaneous abortion.

Multiple pregnancy

Pregnancy with more than one fetus.

Placenta abruption

Separation of a normally situated placenta during pregnancy. 

Placenta previa

Placenta is implanted low in the uterus.  Are different types/degrees depending on whether internal os is covered and how much it is covered.

Pre-eclampsia

Presents in second half of pregnancy – Blood pressure of 140/90 or greater and demonstrate a rise of 25mmHg over the diastolic level in the non-pregnant state or in the 1st 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Preterm labor

The onset of labor before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy.

Rhesus incompatibility

Hemolytic disease of the newborn occurs when antibodies formed in the mother, in response to the introduction into her circulation of foreign antigen, cross the placenta and destroy fetal cells bearing the foreign antigen.  One of these antibodies could be the Rhesus antibody Rhesus negative women are given an injection of Anti-D immunoglobulin. 

Toxemia

Toxin (poison) in the blood; a condition dangerous to mother and fetus.

Vaginal discharge

Increase is normal in pregnancy.

Labor and Delivery

 Anatomy | Pregnancy | Complications of Pregnancy | Labor and Delivery

3 stages of labor

First stage:  start to full dilatation of the cervix Lasts up to 12 hours, sometimes longer.
Second stage: full dilatation to birth of baby Lasts about one hour; contractions become more powerful with a desire to bear down.
Third stage: birth of baby to delivery of placenta.

Afterbirth

Placenta                                  

Amniotic fluid

Fluid inside the amniotic sac, which contains the fetus inside the uterus.

Amniotomy

Artificial rupture of membranes.

Apgar score

Done at one minute after birth and again at 5 minutes; A score above 7 indicates good condition; a score of 3 or less at 1 minute indicates need for active, full resuscitation – may require intubation or ventilation.

Baby blues

Feelings of depression after the birth of the baby.

Breech presentation

A malpresentation of the baby at delivery. Can be butt first or leg(s) first.

Caesarean section

The delivery of the baby through incisions in the abdominal wall and uterus.  Use epidural block for anesthesia.

Cervical dilation

Opening of the cervix.

Cervical effacement

Thinning of the cervix.

Colostrum

A yellowish fluid produced in late pregnancy and in the first post-natal days; contains greater quantities of protein than mature milk. High in antibodies.

Contractions

Increase in frequency, strength and duration as labor progresses.

Cord around the neck

Condition where baby presents at birth with cord wrapped around his or her neck.

Cubicle/isolette

An incubator-like environment, which keeps a prematurely born baby warm.

Cut the cord

The cord connecting the baby to the placenta is clamped off and then cut.

Electrodes to stomach

Used to monitor heart rate of fetus.

Episiotomy

Incision to perineum to facilitate delivery and avoid tearing.  Timing of episiotomy is important – too soon may increase blood loss, too late may cause tear of the vagina.

Fetal heart monitor

Provides a continuous printed record of the fetal heart Rate and uterine contractions.

Forceps

Designed to grasp the fetal head when it is in the vagina and effect delivery by traction and guidance.

Induction of labor

Artificially stimulating labor.

Jaundice

Occurs in about one third of normal babies between 2 and 5 days old; due to functional immaturity of the glucuronyl transferase enzyme system in the liver.

Labor

The process of birth.

Low birthweight baby

Baby weighing 2.5 kg or less at birth.

Meconium

Black tarry substance; first bowel movement of newborn.

Natural childbirth

Vaginal delivery with no medications.

Placenta

Transports nutrients and respiratory gases to fetus; has some endocrine functions.

Preterm labor

Onset of labor before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy.

Routine newborn screening tests

Congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH); and Phenylketonuria (PKU) PKU: a rare congenital metabolic disorder

“Show”                   

When the mucus plug (operculum) is freed and presents; this allows the amniotic sac to push against the cervix.

Small-for-dates baby

A baby whose birth weight is below the 10th percentile for its gestational age.

Spina bifida

Congenital defect in spine.

Stripping/ strip membranes

Pulling the amniotic membrane away from the cervix in order to induce labor. 

Transverse

The baby is in a horizontal position in the uterus when labor begins. If the shoulder is pointed towards the birth canal, may be referred to as a shoulder presentation. If the baby does not turn a Caesarean section is necessary. Occurs in less than 1% of births.

Tubal ligation

A loop of tube is ligated with catgut and the top of the loop is excised.

Vacuum extractor (ventouse)

A traction instrument used as an alternative to the obstetric forceps.  Adheres to the baby’s scalp by suction.

Vaginal massage

Massage of vaginal opening during 2nd stage of labor to encourage vaginal opening – often can be used instead of episiotomy.

Vernix casesa

Covers baby in utero; protects the skin and has antibacterial properties.

Water birth

Giving birth in water (e.g. a bathtub).

Water breaking

Rupture of the amniotic sac.