Glossary

AbruptioPlacentae: When the placenta separates from the uterus before the baby is born.

Amniocentesis: A test performed, via a needle through the mother's belly, to extract amniotic fluid to check for any abnormalities. Ultrasound is used in conjunction with this procedure so the needle avoids touching the baby.

Analgesia: Pain relief drugs that do not cause total loss of sensation. Examples are Stadol, Nubain, Morphine, Demerol and Fentanyl.

Anesthesia: Pain relief that causes a total loss of sensation. An example would be an epidural.

Apgar Score: At one and five minutes after birth, the newborn is assessed in heart rate, breathing effort, skin color, muscle activity and response to stimulation on a scale from 0 to 2. If each of the functions "makes the grade" the baby's score adds up to 10.

Braxton-Hicks "Contractions": Most doctors call theses "false labor pains". Other birth practitioners like to think of them as a "warm up", getting the uterus ready to experience "real" contractions. To tell the difference between "real" and "false" labor is to drink at least 8 ounces of water and lie on your left side. If the contractions are irregular, not happening at regular, close to evenly spaced intervals and lessen or disappear after 30 minutes, you are probably not in labor.

Breech Presentation: There are several types of breech presentation; complete, footling and frank. Complete is when the baby's butt is completely downward and their knees are tucked toward the back end. Footling Breech is when either one or both of the baby's feet are pointed downward and are going to come out first. The last type, Frank, is when the butt is directed towards the birth canal, same as Complete, but the baby's legs are sticking straight up, towards the top of the uterus.

Colostrum: Otherwise known as "liquid gold". This is your "pre-milk" it is thicker a yellow in color. Sometimes you may leak colostrum before you deliver your baby. It is normal and does not require any medical attention. Colostrum is most important for your baby to receive during the beginning of breastfeeding. It is enough to feed your baby until your "real milk" comes in. Even if you choose to bottle feed, please consider breastfeeding until the colostrum is gone.

Electronic Fetal Monitoring: There are two types of EFM internal and external. External involves a Velcro strap with a small box attached to sit that wraps around your body. This monitors the baby's heart rate. Along with the external monitor, there will be a uterine contraction monitor which measures the strength and frequency of your contractions. In same cases, where the the hospital staff can't get a good reading externally or the baby's heart rate is dipping too low or wildly fluctuating, they perform an internal fetal monitor. This involves inserting a catheter with a "clip" (I call it the spring from a ball point pen) and attach it to the baby's scalp. The reading is much more accurate this way. Frequently an internal uterine monitor accompanies the internal fetal monitor. This is a catheter placed inside of your uterus. It measures the strength of your contractions.

Episiotomy: This procedure, creating an incision between the vagina and anus (the perineum), is thought to allow more room for the baby's head to emerge from the mother's body. It is becoming out of style with midwives and doctors as they are encouraging gentle rotation of the infant's head during crowning and having the mother bear down, "nice and easy". The problem with a standard episiotomy is to think of it this way, as a midwife demonstrated this powerful visual to me at a Birthing Center Take a washcloth and try to rip it. Take a washcloth with a small "starter" tear in it and try to rip it. Guess which cloths rips more easily?

Linea Nigria: Line of increased pigmentation running down the abdomen from the belly button to the pubic area during pregnancy.

Lochia: Maternal discharge of blood, mucus, and tissue from the uterus; may last for several weeks after birth. If this continues beyond 3 weeks, please call your OB or Midwife.

Meconium: A greenish substance that builds up in the bowels of a growing fetus and is normally discharged shortly after birth.

Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS): Respiratory disease of term, post-term, and small newborns caused by inhalation of meconium or meconium-stained amniotic fluid into the lungs; characterized by mild to severe respiratory distress.

Meconium-Stained Fluid: Amniotic fluid that contains meconium because fetal distress has caused increased intestinal activity and relaxing of the fetus's anal sphincter.

Non-stress test: A test in which fetal movements felt by the mother are recorded along with changes in the fetal heart rate using an electronic fetal monitor. This is performed while the mother is lying down in a hospital bed. All monitoring is done externally.

Placenta: During your pregnancy you grown an organ inside the uterus! It is attached to the baby by the umbilical cord; provides nourishment to and takes away waste from the fetus. It is also called afterbirth.

Placenta Previa: Low attachment of the placenta, covering or very close to the cervix. This translates into an almost certain c-section. You cannot deliver the placenta before your baby. Since the attachment is low, the likelihood of the placenta being delivered first is very high.

Preeclampsia: Combination of symptoms significant to pregnancy, including high blood pressure, edema, swelling, and changes in reflexes. This can be a very dangerous situation for the birthing mom. If your blood pressure rises too high, you could have a stroke. (Which is then becoming Eclampsia) The hospital will administer Magnesium Sulfate to depress your nervous system and you may end up with some Pitocin to hurry the labor along. The only cure for preeclampsia is delivery of your baby.

SIDS: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. This is a very sad time for parents since babies seem to "just die" while asleep. Studies suggest sleep positioning (back or side, not stomach) may significantly reduce the chance of SIDS.

Vernix: A white, cheesy, waxy substance that coats babies' skin in late pregnancy. After the baby is born they will be covered in some blood and vernix. The baby is simply "washed off" with a towel after birth so you may hold your baby and begin breastfeeding. When the baby is taken to the nursery for an evaluation and bath, the vernix is removed.