obstetrics

Abortion

Intentional removal of a fetus from the uterus.

Alpha-fetoprotein test

An analysis of the mother’s blood serum to determine whether the level of AFP denotes a risk of a birth defect.

Amenorrhea

Absence of menstruation.

Amniocentesis

A procedure for obtaining amniotic fluid.

Amniotomy

Incision into the amnion to induce labor.

Apgar score

A technique used to assess the general wellbeing of a newborn.

Artificial insemination

A process where the semen is introduced into the vagina by mechanical means.

Breech

The position of the fetus is feet first.

Cesarean section

Delivery of the fetus through an abdominal incision.

Cephalopelvic disproportion

A condition where the infant’s head is larger than the mother’s pelvis.

Cerclage

A suture inserted into the cervix to prevent dilation and prevent miscarriage.

Chorioamnionitis

Inflammation of the chorion and amnion.

Choriocarcinoma

A malignant, fast-growing tumor that develops from trophoblastic cells.

Chorionic villus sampling

A procedure in which tissue from the placenta is tested for fetal chromosomal disorders.

Colostrum

A thick, yellowish substance secreted from a mother’s breasts in the first postpartum days.

Dilation and curettage (D&C)

A procedure to scrape and remove tissue from the inner lining of the uterus.

Dystocia

Slow or difficult labor.

Eclampsia

A very serious condition in pregnant women with hypertension.

Ectopic pregnancy

A pregnancy in which the fertilized ovum is implanted in any tissue other than the uterine wall.

Episiotomy

Incision made in the posterior vaginal wall and perineum that facilitates vaginal birth.

Fetal

Pertaining to the fetus.

Gestation

The period required for embryonic and fetal development in utero.

Gestational diabetes

Diabetes mellitus that occurs during pregnancy but resolves by the end of pregnancy in women without a history of diabetes.

Gestational hypertension

Elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure in pregnant women.

Gravidity

The number of pregnancies, complete or incomplete, experienced by a woman.

Hyperemesis gravidarum

Excessive vomiting during pregnancy.

Induction

The process of bringing on or starting labor through artificial means.

In vitro fertilization

A process where the ova is fertilized outside the body and then implanted into the uterus.

Lactic acid

A substance produced by the body during strenuous exercise.

Meconium

Fetal wastes consisting of ingested amniotic fluid, cellular debris, mucus, and bile.

Microcephaly

A congenital abnormality where the head is small.

Midwifery

Practice of assisting in childbirth.

Natal

Pertaining to being born or birth.

Neonatal

Pertaining to the newborn’s first thirty days of life outside of the uterus.

Neonate

An infant during the first 28 days after birth.

Neonatologist

Physician who studies and treats disorders of the newborn.

Neonatology

A subspecialty of pediatric medicine concerned with the newborn.

Obstetrician

A doctor who specializes in caring for women during pregnancy and childbirth.

Obstetrics and gynecology

A branch of medicine that specializes in the care of women during pregnancy and childbirth.

Oligohydramnios

A condition of abnormally low amniotic fluid volume.

Oocyte

Immature egg cell.

Parturition

Childbirth.

Placenta abruptio

Occurs when the placenta prematurely becomes detached from the uterine wall.

Placenta previa

Low placement of fetus within the uterus.

Polyhydramnios

A condition where there is excessive amniotic fluid in the placenta.

Postnatal

Pertaining to after birth.

Postpartum

The period of approximately 6 weeks immediately following childbirth.

Preeclampsia

The abnormal condition in pregnancy where the patient experiences hypertension, edema, and proteinuria.

Prenatal

Having to do with the time a female is pregnant, before birth occurs.

Primigravida

First pregnancy.

Pseudocyesis

False pregnancy.

Puerperal

Pertaining to immediately after childbirth.

Puerperium

Time directly after childbirth.

Sperm

Male gamete.

Stillbirth

An infant who is born dead.

Teratogen

An agent capable of producing malformations in a developing embryo.

Teratology

A branch of embryology for the study of congenital malformations.

Vaginal birth following a C-section

Delivery of an infant through the vagina in a female who has had a prior cesarean section.

Zygote

A single cell formed by the fusion of an egg and sperm.