Preconception Nutrition & Pregnancy Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary terms covering preconception nutrition, hormone functions, BMI classifications, diabetes diagnostics, pregnancy stages, and key gestational terms based on the lecture notes.

GnRH

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone; stimulates the pituitary gland to release FSH and LH.

Estrogen

A hormone that builds the uterine lining, supports female reproductive development, and promotes uterine and breast growth during pregnancy.

Progesterone

A hormone that maintains the uterine lining, supports pregnancy, and prevents uterine contractions.

Leptin

A hormone produced by body fat that regulates appetite and energy balance; low levels decrease GnRH signaling and can reduce fertility.

RED-S

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport; a condition affecting three major areas: energy, reproductive function, and bone health.

Celiac Disease

An autoimmune disease triggered by gluten, requiring a strict lifelong gluten-free diet.

Wheat Allergy

An immune reaction to wheat proteins.

Gluten Intolerance

Symptoms occurring after eating gluten without having celiac disease.

Underweight BMI

A Body Mass Index of $< 18.5$.

Normal Weight BMI

A Body Mass Index of $18.5\text{--}24.9$.

Overweight BMI

A Body Mass Index of $25\text{--}29.9$.

Obesity BMI

A Body Mass Index of $\ge 30$.

Type 1 Diabetes

An autoimmune condition involving the destruction of insulin-producing cells.

Type 2 Diabetes

A condition characterized by insulin resistance and eventually inadequate insulin production.

Glycemic Index

A metric that measures how quickly a food raises blood glucose.

LGA

Large for gestational age; defined as an infant weight above the 90th percentile, commonly caused by maternal diabetes.

SGA

Small for gestational age; defined as an infant weight below the 10th percentile.

pSGA

Proportionately small for gestational age.

dSGA

Disproportionately small for gestational age; commonly caused by placental insufficiency.

Anabolic Phase of Pregnancy

The phase of pregnancy occurring mainly in early to mid-pregnancy where the mother stores nutrients and builds tissue.

Catabolic Phase of Pregnancy

The phase of pregnancy occurring mainly in late pregnancy where the mother breaks down stores to provide nutrients to the fetus.

hCG

Human chorionic gonadotropin; a hormone that maintains the corpus luteum early in pregnancy.

hCS

Human chorionic somatomammotropin; a hormone that increases maternal insulin resistance and provides nutrients to the fetus.

Oxidative Stress

A state with too many reactive oxygen species compared with antioxidants, which can contribute to preeclampsia and poor fetal growth.

Advanced Maternal Age

Maternal age defined as $35+$ years.

WIC

Women, Infants, and Children; a program providing healthy foods, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support to qualifying pregnant/postpartum women, infants, and children under 5.