Midwifery and Obstetrics Exam Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms in Midwifery and Obstetrics based on nursing degree examination papers.

Antepartum Haemorrhage (APH)

Bleeding from or into the genital tract occurring after the 28th week of pregnancy but before the birth of the baby.

Placenta Previa

A condition where the placenta is implanted partially or completely over the lower uterine segment.

Puerperal Sepsis

An infection of the genital tract occurring at any time between the onset of rupture of membranes or labor and the 42nd day postpartum.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)

Carbohydrate intolerance of variable severity with onset or first recognition during pregnancy.

Hydatidiform Mole

An abnormal condition of the placenta where the chorionic villi grow into clusters of vesicles resembling grapes.

Obstetric Shock

A state of circulatory collapse found in obstetric patients, often resulting from hemorrhage, sepsis, or trauma during or after delivery.

Hydrops Fetalis

A serious fetal condition defined as abnormal accumulation of fluid in two or more fetal compartments, including ascites, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, and skin edema.

Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)

The number of maternal deaths per $100,000$ live births during a specified time period.

Subinvolution

A medical condition where the uterus does not return to its normal size after childbirth.

Procidentia

A severe form of uterine prolapse where the entire uterus protrudes outside the vulva.

Post Partum Haemorrhage (PPH)

Excessive bleeding following the birth of a baby, typically defined as loss of more than $500 ext{ ml}$ of blood after a vaginal delivery.

Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD)

A condition where the fetal head is too large or the maternal pelvis is too small for the baby to pass through the birth canal.

Vasa Previa

A condition in which fetal blood vessels cross or run near the internal opening of the uterus, placing them at risk of rupture.

Low Birth Weight (LBW)

A newborn weight of less than $2500 ext{ g}$ ($2.5 ext{ kg}$) regardless of gestational age.

Ectopic Pregnancy

A pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants outside the main cavity of the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube.

Shoulder Dystocia

A specific delivery complication where the baby's anterior shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother's pubic bone after the head has delivered.

Eclampsia

The onset of seizures (convulsions) in a woman with pre-eclampsia.

Breech Presentation

A delivery situation where the baby's buttocks or feet are positioned to be delivered first instead of the head.

Rh Incompatibility

A condition that occurs during pregnancy if a woman has Rh-negative blood and her baby has Rh-positive blood.

Precipitate Labour

A labor that is completed in an unusually short time, usually less than $3 ext{ hours}$.

Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)

A condition where a fetus is smaller than expected for the number of weeks of pregnancy.

Polyhydramnios

A medical condition where there is an excessive accumulation of amniotic fluid (> 2000 ext{ ml}) during pregnancy.

Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)

A global program launched by the WHO and UNICEF to encourage and recognize hospitals that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding and mother-baby bonding.

Cervical Incompetence

A condition where the cervix begins to dilate and thin before the pregnancy has reached full term, often leading to second-trimester miscarriages.

Macrosomia

A term used to describe a newborn who is significantly larger than average, typically weighing more than $4000 ext{ g}$ ($4 ext{ kg}$).

Puerperium

The period of about six weeks after childbirth during which the mother's reproductive organs return to their original non-pregnant condition.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Severe and persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and electrolyte imbalances.

Abruptio Placenta

The premature separation of a normally implanted placenta from the uterine wall before the birth of the fetus.

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP)

The legal and intentional termination of pregnancy by a medical professional before the fetus becomes viable.

Amniocentesis

A procedure in which amniotic fluid is removed from the uterus for testing or treatment.

Quickening

The first movement of the fetus in the uterus that can be felt by the pregnant woman.

Oligohydramnios

A condition in pregnancy characterized by a deficiency of amniotic fluid (< 200 ext{ ml} at term).

Velamentous Placenta

An umbilical cord abnormality where the fetal blood vessels insert into the fetal membranes rather than directly into the placenta.

Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)

A medical test in which glucose is given and blood samples taken afterward to determine how quickly it is cleared from the blood.

Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM)

Rupture of the amniotic sac before the onset of labor.

Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)

A clinical term for a woman giving birth vaginally after having a previous cesarean section delivery.

Episiotomy

A surgical cut made at the opening of the vagina during childbirth to aid a difficult delivery and prevent rupture of tissues.

Deep Transverse Arrest

A labor complication where the fetal head becomes arrested in the transverse diameter of the pelvic outlet.

Homan's Sign

Pain in the calf upon dorsiflexion of the foot, used as a clinical sign of deep vein thrombosis.

Caput Succedaneum

Neonatal edema affecting the scalp, appearing as a swelling that crosses suture lines, caused by pressure during labor.