Obstetrics and Neonatology Terminology Overview

amnionitis

inflammation of the amnion

chorioamnionitis

inflammation of the chorion and amnion

choriocarcinoma

cancerous tumor of the chorion

dystocia

difficult labor (obstructed or prolonged; causes may be from maternal factors, such as ineffective uterine contractions and abnormal pelvic shape, or from fetal causes, such as large size and abnormal birth presentation)

hysterorrhexis

rupture of the uterus

oligohydramnios

scanty amnion water (less than the normal amount of amniotic fluid; 500 ml. or less)

polyhydramnios

much amnion water (more than the normal amount of amniotic fluid; 2000 ml. or more) (also called hydramnios)

pseudocyesis

false pregnancy (a woman who believes she is pregnant; this may be a psychological condition or related to a underlying pathology, such as a uterine tumor)

abortion (AB)

termination of pregnancy by the expulsion of the fetus before 20 weeks of gestation. Spontaneous abortion is the termination of pregnancy that occurs naturally and is commonly referred to as miscarriage. Induced abortion is the intentional termination of pregnancy by surgical or medical intervention.

abruptio placentae

premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall

eclampsia

severe complication and progression of preeclampsia characterized by convulsion. Eclampsia is a potentially life-threatening disorder

ectopic pregnancy

pregnancy occurring outside the uterus, commonly in the fallopian tubes

placenta previa

abnormally low implantation of the placenta on the uterine wall completely or partially covering the cervix. Dilation of the cervix can cause separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, resulting in bleeding. With severe hemorrhage, a cesarean section is necessary to save the mother and baby's life.

preeclampsia

abnormal condition encountered during pregnancy or shortly after delivery characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria, but with no convulsions. The cause is unknown; if not successfully treated, the condition can progress to eclampsia.

microcephalus

(fetus with a very) small head

omphalitis

inflammation of the umbilicus

omphalocele

hernia at the umbilicus (a part of the intestine protrudes through the abdominal wall at birth)

pyloric stenosis

narrowing pertaining to the pyloric sphincter (Congenital pyloric stenosis occurs in 1 of every 200 newborns.)

tracheoesophageal fistula

abnormal passageway pertaining to the trachea and esophagus (between the trachea and esophagus)

cleft lip or palate

congenital split of the lip or roof of the mouth, one or both deformities may be present (cleft indicates a fissure)

coarctation of the aorta

congenital stenosis (narrowing) that occurs in the arch of the aorta

congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection

herpes type virus that crosses the placenta. Symptoms in newborns may include jaundice, microcephaly, developmental delay and hearing loss; some infants may have no symptoms.

congenital heart disease

heart abnormality present at birth

Down syndrome

genetic condition caused by a chromosomal abnormality characterized by varying degrees of intellectual, developmental, and physical disorders or defects (there is an extra 21st chromosome; hence, it is also called trisomy 21)

erythroblastosis fetalis

condition of the newborn characterized by hemolysis of the erythrocytes. The condition is usually caused by incompatibility of the infants and mother's blood, occurring when the mother's blood is Rh negative and the infant's blood is Rh positive.

esophageal atresia

congenital absence of part of the esophagus. Food cannot pass from the baby's mouth to the stomach.

fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

condition caused by excessive alcohol consumption by the mother during pregnancy. Various birth defects may be present, including central nervous system dysfunction and malformations of the skull and face.

gastroschisis

congenital fissure of the abdominal wall that is not at the umbilicus. Enterocele, protrusion of the intestine, is usually present.

respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

respiratory complication in the newborn, especially in premature infants. In premature infants RDS is caused by normal immaturity of the respiratory system resulting in compromised respiration. (formally called hyaline membrane disease)

spina bifida

congenital defect in the vertebral column caused by the failure of the vertebral arch to close. If the meninges protrude through the opening the condition is called meningocele. Protrusion of both the meninges and spinal cord is called meningomyelocele.

amniotomy

incision into the amnion (rupture of the fetal membrane to induce labor; a special hook is generally used to make the incision)

episiotomy

incision into the vulva (perineum) (sometimes performed during delivery to prevent a traumatic tear of the vulva) (also called perineotomy)

cervical cerclage

suturing the cervix closed to prevent dilation and premature delivery

cesarean section (CS, C-section)

birth of a fetus through an incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus (may also be spelled caesarean)

in vitro fertilization (IVF)

method of fertilizing human ova outside the body and placing the zygote into the uterus; used when infertility is present. Infertility management techniques that artificially combine both the ova and the sperm are called assisted reproductive technology (ART).

amniocentesis

surgical puncture to aspirate amniotic fluid (the needle is inserted through the abdominal and uterine walls, using ultrasound to guide the needle. It is a prenatal test in which the fluid is used for the assessment of fetal health and maturity to aid in diagnosing fetal abnormalities)

pelvic sonography

pertaining to the pelvis, process of recording sound (pelvic ultrasound is used extensively to evaluate the fetus and pregnancy) (also called pelvic ultrasonography, pelvic ultrasound, and obstetric ultrasonography)

nuchal translucency screening

ultrasound test to check the back of the fetal neck for extra fluid or thickening. It is usually performed between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy and, when combined with first trimester screening blood tests, may reveal an increased risk for down syndrome or other congenital disorders.

quad screen

blood test performed during the second trimester measuring four hormone levels that can reveal an increased risk of certain disorders in the developing fetus. It measures the levels of alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin, unconjugated estriol and inhibin and can indicate the possibility of Down syndrome (trisomy 21), trisomy 18, and neural tube defects such as spina bifida. An abnormal quad screen requires a confirming diagnostic test such as ultrasound or amniocentesis, and genetic counselling is an important part of the work-up

Apgar score

system for rapid neonatal assessment at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. Five vital criteria, including heart rate, respiration, muscle tone, response to stimulation, and color, are assessed and scored on a 0-2 scale, with 7-10 considered normal.

chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

prenatal test that takes a sample of the area of blood supply in the placenta either through the abdominal wall or the vagina. It is usually performed between 10 and 13 weeks of pregnancy and tests for chromosome and other genetic problems. It has a small risk of miscarriage and is thus usually performed only in high-risk pregnancies or when a screening test is positive for an abnormality.

amniorrhea

discharge (escape) of amniotic fluid

amniorrhexis

rupture of the amnion

lactorrhea

(spontaneous) discharge of milk

antepartum

before childbirth (reference to the mother)

gravida

pregnant (a woman who is or has been pregnant, regardless of pregnancy outcome)

gravidopuerperal

pertaining to pregnancy and childbirth (from delivery until reproductive organs return to normal)

intrapartum

within (during) labor and childbirth

lactogenic

producing milk (by stimulation)

multigravida

many pregnancies (a woman who has been pregnant two or more times)

multipara (multip)

many births (a woman who has given birth to two or more viable offspring)

multipara

many births (a woman who has given birth to two or more viable offspring)

nulligravida

no pregnancies (a woman who has never been pregnant)

nullipara

no births (a woman who has not given birth to a viable offspring)

para

birth (a woman who has given birth to an offspring after the point of viability—20 weeks, whether the fetus is alive or stillborn)

postpartum

after childbirth (reference to the mother)

primigravida

first pregnancy (a woman in her first pregnancy)

primipara (primip)

first birth (a woman who has given birth to an offspring after the point of viability—20 weeks)

puerperal

pertaining to (immediately after) childbirth

puerpera

childbirth (a woman who has just given birth)

colostrum

thin, milky fluid secreted by the breast during pregnancy and during the first days after birth before lactation begins

lochia

vaginal discharge after childbirth

quickening

the first feeling of movement of the fetus in utero by the pregnant woman. It usually occurs between 16 and 20 weeks of gestation

midwife

individual who practices midwifery

Midwifery

practice of assisting in childbirth

obstetrician

physician who specializes in obstetrics

obstetrics

medical specialty dealing with pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium

breech presentation

birth position in which the buttocks, feet, or knees emerge first

cephalic presentation

birth position in which any part of the head emerges first. It is the most common presentation.

in vitro

outside the body or in a lab setting

in vivo

within the living body

lactation

secretion of milk

parturition

act of giving birth

puerperium

period from delivery until the reproductive organs return to normal (approximately 6 weeks)

neonatologist

physician who studies and treats disorders of the newborn

neonatology

study of the newborn (branch of medicine that deals with diagnosis and treatment of disorders in newborns)

teratology

study of malformations (usually in regard to malformations caused by teratogens on the developing embryo)

fetal

pertaining to the fetus

Natal

Pertaining to birth

Neonate

New birth (an infant from birth to 4 weeks of age)(synonymous with newborn NB)

Postnatal

pertaining to after birth (reference to the newborn)

Prenatal

pertaining to before birth (reference to the newborn)

Teratogen

(any agent) producing malformations (in the developing embryo)

Teratogenic

producing malformations (in the developing embryo)

congenital anomaly

abnormality present at birth; often discovered before birth by sonography or amniocentesis

meconium

first stool of the newborn (greenish-black)

gavage

process of feeding through a tube; used for critically ill newborns and others who are unconscious, unable to swallow, or too weak to eat (also called gastric gavage)

premature infant

infant born before completing 37 weeks of gestation (also called preterm infant)

stillborn

born dead (death of fetus after 20 weeks of pregnancy)

cytomegalovirus

CMV

fetal alcohol syndrome

FAS

chorionic villus sampling

CVS

Abortion

AB

cesarean section

CS, C-section

Obstetrics

OB

Multipara

Multip

Newborn

NB

Date of birth

DOB

expected (estimated) date of delivery

EDD

respiratory distress syndrome

RDS