Know Your Medical Jargon

dialate

means "to spread wide or open"

Braxton-Hicks

Uterine contractions that decrease and go away

Cervix ripening

tissue starts to soften and become supple

Dialation

Cervix opens

Induced labor

Uterine contractions that begin with medical assistance, such as breaking the amniotic sac and giving medications

Early labor

Cervical dilation under 4 centimeters; contractions occurring every 5-20 minutes and lasting 30-45 seconds

Presentation

Refers to the part of the baby's body that will emerge first during delivery

Mucus plug

Accumulation of cervical secretions formed throughout pregnancy; protects unborn from external bacteria

Effacement

expressed in percentages

Station

How far the baby has moved toward the vagina's external opening

True labor

uterine contractions that come at regular intervals and become stronger, longer, and closer together

Efface

means "to vanish"

Labor augmentation

medical interventions that help labor along

amniotomy

the medical breaking of the "bag of waters

Effacement

Cervix becomes paper thin

True labor

Cervix is progressively effacing and dilating

Station

Expressed in negative numbers, zero, and positive numbers

Position

The way the unborn faces during delivery

Spontaneous labor

Uterine contractions that begin and continue without medical assistance

Effacement

Cervix pulls back and appears to merge with the rest of uterus

Active labor

Cervix dilates from 4-10 centimeters

Presentation

Two specific types are called vertex and breech

anesthesiologist

doctor who specializes in administering medication for labor and delivery

Parturient

A woman about to deliver

Dilation

Expressed in centimeters

Contraction

Tightening and shortening of uterine muscles

Mucus plug

Called bloody show or the show

Pre-term labor

Contractions beginning before 37-weeks gestation

Failure to progress

When labor does not follow the "normal" path or is prolonged

Post-term labor

Contractions beginning after 42-weeks labor