Women's Health: Obstetrics and Neonatal Care Key Concepts

ABRUPTIO PLACENTAE

Premature partial or complete separation of the placenta from the uterus

ACCELERATIONS

Abrupt increase in the fetal heart rate (FHR) above the baseline heart rate

ACROCYANOSIS

Bluish color of the hands and feet, not pathological in newborns

ACUPRESSURE

Treatment method that involves therapeutic massage of points along the body's energy pathways

ACUPUNCTURE

Treatment method that involves therapeutic stimulation of points along the body's energy pathways with thin needles

APGAR SCORING

An assignment of numbers to assessment parameters of a newborn at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, named after its developer, Virginia Apgar

AREOLA

The pigmented tissue around the nipple

ASPHYXIA

Inadequate oxygenation that causes unconsciousness and, without intervention, death

ATONY

Lack of muscle tone

AUGMENTATION

Techniques used to stimulate contractions

BALLOTTEMENT

Passive movement of the unengaged fetus

BILIRUBIN

Yellow or orange product of the breakdown of hemoglobin

BISHOP SCORE

Pre---labor scoring system to predict if induction of labor is necessary

BRAXTON-HICKS CONTRACTIONS

Painless, ineffective uterine contractions that occur during late pregnancy

CAPUT SUCCEDANEUM

Area of edema on the newborn's scalp

CEPHALHEMATOMA

An area of blood collection between a newborn's skull bones & periosteum

CERVIX

The low narrow end of the uterus that contains its opening

CHADWICK SIGN

Violet---bluish vaginal mucosa & cervix occurring due to increased vascularity during pregnancy

CHLOASMA

"Mask of pregnancy" Hyperpigmentation of the skin over the cheeks, nose, and forehead

CIRCUMCISION

Surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis

COLOSTRUM

Creamy, white---to---yellowish fluid that precedes breast milk

CONTRACTION

Rhythmic tightening of the upper uterine musculature that contracts the size of the uterus and pushes the fetus toward the birth canal

COUNTERPRESSURE

Application of pressure to the sacrum during contractions

CRADLE CAP

Infant scalp dermatitis manifesting as thick yellowish scales

CYANOSIS

A bluish discoloration, especially of the skin and mucous membranes, due to excessive concentration of deoxyhemoglobin (hemoglobin not combined with oxygen) in the blood

DECELERATIONS

Decrease in the fetal heart rate.

DILATION

Stretching of the opening of the cervix to accommodate childbirth

DOULA

Labor coach who provides support for the woman

ECCHYMOSIS

Hemorrhagic spot, or bruise, caused by bleeding under the skin and irregularly formed in blue, purple, or brown patches

EDEMA

Accumulation of excess fluid, causing swelling in the cells, in intercellular spaces within tissues, or in potential spaces inside the body

EFFACEMENT

Thinning and shortening of the cervix in preparation for childbirth

EFFLEURAGE

Light massage or stroking, usually on the patient's abdomen, in rhythm with breathing during contractions

ENGAGEMENT

Entrance of the fetal presenting part into the upper pelvic channel or birth canal

EPISIOTOMY

A surgical incision made to the perineum, to facilitate delivery

FETUS

Unborn child still inside the uterus

FETOSCOPE

A stethoscope for listening to fetal heart tones

FORCEPS

Large instrument used to encircle a baby's head and assist with delivery

FRIABLE

Easily broken

FUNDUS

The rounded upper portion of the uterus, furthest from the cervix

GOODELL'S SIGN

The softening of the cervical tip that occurs with pregnancy

GRAVIDA

Represents the number of pregnancies a woman has had

HEGAR'S SIGN

Softening of the lower uterine segment, indicating pregnancy

HEMATOMA

Localized collection of blood underneath the tissues, appearing as a swelling or mass often characterized by a bluish discoloration

HYDRAMNIOS

Excessive amniotic fluid

HYPEREMESIS

Complication of pregnancy that involves excessive vomiting, electrolyte imbalances, weight loss, nutritional deficits, and ketonuria

HYPERGLYCEMIA

An elevated blood glucose level

HYPERVENTILATION

Excessively rapid or deep breathing

HYPOGLYCEMIA

A low blood glucose level

HYPOTHERMIA

Body temperature below the expected reference range

INDUCTION

Procedure to stimulate uterine contractions before labor starts on its own

INVOLUTION

Gradual decrease in the size of the uterus occurring post delivery

LANUGO

Fine, downy hair on the fetus after 20 weeks of gestation

LEOPOLD MANEUVERS

A series of four types of abdominal palpitation for determining fetal position

LET-DOWN REFLEX

Release of breast milk in response to oxytocin, also called the milk-ejection reflex

LEUKORRHEA

Copious mucoid discharge with a white/gray color that occurs with pregnancy

LIGHTENING

Descent of the uterus into the pelvic cavity about 2 weeks before term labor

LINEA NIGRA

Pigmented line extending from the symphysis pubis to the top of the fundus

LOCHIA

Vaginal discharge following childbirth

MASTITIS

Infection of the breast tissue

MECONIUM

First stools a newborn passes. Odorless, dark green/black, and sticky. Composed of amniotic fluid, bile, and mucus

MEMBRANES

Amniotic sac

MILK-EJECTION REFLEX

Release of breast milk in response to oxytocin, also called the let-down reflex

MONTGOMERY TUBERCLES

Sebaceous glands around the nipples that hypertrophy during pregnancy.

MORO REFLEX

Expected newborn response to a loud noise or other readily perceived stimulus, demonstrated as arm flexion and an embracing posture

MULTIP / MULTIGRAVIDA

A woman who has completed two or more pregnancies

NULLIPARA

A woman who has never been pregnant

OXYGEN SATURATION

A clinical measurement of the percentage of hemoglobin that is bound with oxygen in the blood

OXYTOCIC

A drug that stimulates uterine contractions

PARITY

The number of pregnancies with a fetus/fetuses reaching 20+ weeks gestation, not the # born.

TPAL

T=Term >37wk, P=Preterm 20---36wk, A=Abortions/Miscarriages <20wk, L=Livingchildren

PERINATAL

Referring to the time or process of birth

PERINEUM

A skin- and muscle-covered area over pelvic structures, usually meaning the area between the vagina and the anus in females

PLACENTA PREVIA

Implantation of the placenta low in the uterus and completely or partially covering the cervix

POPLITEAL

Referring to the posterior part of the leg behind the knee joint

PRECIPITOUS DELIVERY

Very fast labor lasting <3 hours from the start of contractions to delivery

PRE-ECLAMPSIA

A complication of middle to late pregnancy that involves hypertension, proteinuria, and hemoconcentration

PRENATAL

Existing or occurring before birth

PRETERM

Referring to the period of a pregnancy prior to 37 weeks of gestation

PRIMAGRAVIDA

A woman who is pregnant for the first time

PROLAPSED CORD

Emergency that occurs when the umbilical cord descends alongside or prior to the fetal presenting part

QUICKENING

Feeling of fetal movement. Described as a fluttery sensation, usually occurring between 16---20 weeks gestation

RESTING TONE

Baseline pressure in mm Hg while the uterus is relaxed (between contractions)

ROOTING REFLEX

Expected newborn response that involves moving toward whatever touches the mouth and initiating sucking motions

SHOULDER DYSTOCIA

Emergency that occurs when baby's head is delivered, however the shoulder cannot pass below the symphysis pubis

SITZ BATH

Immersion of the perineum in warm water in a tub or basin

STATION

Relates to the baby's position as they descend into the maternal pelvis

STRIAE GRAVIDARUM

Stretch marks

SUPINE HYPOTENSION

A drop in blood pressure due to altered venous return from a gravid uterus exerting pressure on the ascending vena cava

SYMPHYSIS PUBIS

The semi-rigid articulation or union of the two pubic bones in the midline of the lower anterior part

THERAPEUTIC TOUCH

An energy therapy that is useful for promoting relaxation and healing and involves a practitioner moving hands over the patient's body to detect energy imbalances and then directing balanced energy toward the patient

TRANSLUCENT

Allowing the passage of light

TRIMESTER

One of three periods of time, about 3 months each, that comprise a pregnancy

UMBILICAL CORD

The long structure that connects a fetus with the placenta and encases two arteries and one vein surrounded by a clear gel called Wharton's jelly

UTERUS

The hollow, inverted pear-shaped, muscular female reproductive organ where a fetus develops

VARIABILITY

Changes in the fetal heart rate, monitored by cardiotocography during labor

VERNIX CASEOSA

A grayish white protective substance that coats fetal skin and has a cream-cheese-like consistency

VIABILITY

Capability of living outside the uterus, generally around 23-24 weeks of gestation and beyond