Medical termanology

Acute

Sudden and severe.

Adhesions / Scars

that connects two or more body structures together.

Amniotic fluid

The watery liquid surrounding and protecting the growing fetus in the uterus.

Anthracyclines

Antibiotic drugs used in cancer chemotherapy.

Assisted birth

(instrumental birth/operative vaginal delivery) When special instruments (forceps or ventouse) are used.

Bacteria

Tiny organisms that may cause certain infections.

Bicornuate uterus (womb)

A heart-shaped uterus. Usually the uterus would be pear-shaped.

Bile acids

are made in your liver and they help you to digest fat and fat soluble vitamins. Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (obstetric cholestasis) is where you have a build up of bile acids in your body.

Biopsy

The taking of a small sample of tissue for examination.

Birth asphyxia

When a baby has experienced reduced level of oxygen around the time of birth. Affected babies may not breathe normally and may have a low heart rate.

Bladder training

A way of teaching your bladder to hold more urine. It helps to reduce the number of times you need to pass urine and reduce urgency.

Blood group

The way blood is classified by proteins (known as antigens) on the surface of your red blood cells. Group A blood has A antigens, group B blood has B antigens, group AB blood has both A and B antigens and group O blood has no antigens.

Body mass index (BMI)

A measurement to work out the range of healthy weights for a person. It is calculated by dividing your weight (in kilograms) by your height (in metres squared – that is, your height in metres multiplied by itself). The healthy range is between 19 and 25.

Breech position

When the baby is lying bottom first in the womb.

Cardiotocography (CTG)

A machine which traces the baby’s heart rate and the woman’s contractions before and during birth to assess the baby’s wellbeing.

Cell

The tiny building blocks which make up the organs and tissues of the body.

Chlamydia

is treated with antibiotics. Both partners require treatment.

Chronic

Something that persists or continues for at least six months.

Clear margins

When no cell changes are present along the edge of tissue removed during treatment for cervical cell changes.

Clinical guidelines

Statements based on properly researched evidence which help healthcare professionals and patients to make decisions about medical care and treatments.

Colostrum

The first breastmilk produced during pregnancy and in the first few days after your baby is born.

Colposcopy

A hospital examination used to diagnose, monitor and treat cervical cell changes.

Complete miscarriage

When all the tissue associated with a pregnancy has gone and the uterus is empty.

Complications problems

that develop after an operation, treatment or illness.

Contraception

Contraception, or birth control, is what you and your partner can use to help prevent an unwanted pregnancy or to space out your pregnancies. There are many different forms of contraception including condoms, hormonal pills and implants, hormonal and non-hormonal coils and permanent methods such as female sterilization or vasectomy. You can get more information about contraception from your GP or a family planning clinic.

Cystocele

When the bladder bulges into the weakened wall of the vagina. A lump may be seen or felt.

Dilatation and evacuation (D&E)

Surgery using instruments to end the pregnancy.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

A blood clot that forms in a deep vein.

Diathermy

surgical procedure to heat up and destroy body tissue or stop bleeding. Also known as electrocoagulation.

Disease

An abnormal condition in the body causing harm.

Doppler

A method for measuring the flow of blood, for example through the umbilical cord during pregnancy.

Early miscarriage

When a woman loses her baby in the first three months of pregnancy.

Embryo

fertilised egg.

Enzyme

A protein found in cells that speeds up chemical reactions in the body.

Extended or frank breech

The baby is bottom first, with the thighs against the chest and feet up by the ears. Most breech babies are in this position.

External cephalic version (ECV)

Gentle pressure applied to the abdomen, if the baby is breech, by the obstetrician or midwife towards the end of pregnancy to help the baby turn in the uterus so it lays head first.