Abortion, Birth, and Infanticide Overview

Pregnancy

State of a woman carrying a developing fetus.

Gestation Period

Duration of pregnancy, 270 to 280 days.

Presumptive Signs

Indicators suggesting pregnancy but not confirmatory.

Cessation of Menses

Missed menstrual period, often first pregnancy sign.

Morning Sickness

Nausea experienced during early pregnancy.

Jacquemin-Chadwick's Sign

Violet discoloration of the vaginal wall.

Hegar's Sign

Softening of the lower uterine segment.

Goodell's Sign

Softening of the cervix during pregnancy.

Fetal Heart Sounds

Detectable heartbeat indicating fetal viability.

Missed Abortion

Pregnancy loss without expulsion of fetus.

Threatened Abortion

Clinical type of abortion that risk of miscarriage with vaginal bleeding.

Induced Abortion

Deliberate termination of pregnancy.

Therapeutic Abortion

Abortion performed for medical reasons.

Criminal Abortion

Illegal termination of pregnancy.

Intentional Abortion

Abortion with intent to terminate pregnancy.

Unintentional Abortion

Abortion without intent to terminate pregnancy.

Methods of Abortion

Various techniques used to terminate pregnancy.

General Violence

Physical actions causing abortion through force.

Local Violence

Targeted actions in the uterine cavity/vagina causing abortion in the uterus.

Emmenagogues

Drugs that increase menstrual flow.

RU 486

Medication used for medical abortion.

Proof of Live Birth

Indicators confirming a newborn's viability.

Infanticide

Killing of a child under three days old.

Post-mortem Findings

Physical signs indicating cause of death.

Linea Nigra

Dark line on abdomen during pregnancy.

Braxton-Hick's Sign

Irregular contractions indicating pregnancy progress.

Capricious Appetite

Unpredictable food cravings during pregnancy.