Psychology of Childbirth - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes from PSYC 207: Psychology of Childbirth, covering key terms and concepts relevant to the course.

Medicalized Birth

The process of childbirth managed predominantly through medical interventions.

Labour Pain

An intense phase of pain experienced during childbirth, often portrayed negatively in media.

Physiological Birth

A unique process of childbirth where fetal and maternal physiologies interact without surgical or pharmaceutical intervention.

Denervation

The disconnection of nerve fibers from a body part, leading to a decrease in sensory or motor functions.

Interoception

The perception of bodily signals from the internal organs.

Proprioception

The sense of the relative position of one's own body parts and the strength of effort being employed in movement.

Hyper-medicalization

The excessive reliance on medical procedures and interventions during childbirth.

C-section

A surgical procedure used to deliver a baby by making an incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus.

Nociception

The sensory process that produces nerve signals that trigger the experience of pain.

Nocebo Effect

Increased pain sensitivity resulting from negative expectations about a procedure or condition.

Oxytocin

A hormone that plays a critical role in stimulating uterine contractions during labor.

Pain Perception

The subjective experience of pain influenced by emotional, cultural, and social factors.

Prostaglandins

Hormone-like substances involved in initiating labor and regulating uterine contractions.

Endogenous Opioids

Natural pain-relieving compounds produced by the body that can affect pain perception.

Memory Recall

The ability to remember information or experiences, often influenced by emotional factors.

Epidural Analgesia

A common form of pain relief during childbirth that involves injecting anesthetic near the spinal cord.

Skeletal Muscle

Striated muscle tissue attached to bones, enabling voluntary movement.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary muscle found in internal organs, including the uterus.

Augmentation of Labour

Medical methods used to stimulate or enhance contractions during labor.

Maternal Focus

How a mother's emotional and psychological state influences the childbirth experience.

Cervical Effacement

The thinning and shortening of the cervix in preparation for childbirth.

Birthing Pool

A pool filled with warm water where some women choose to labor or give birth.

Comparative Risk

The assessment of the potential risks associated with different childbirth methods.

Pain Coping Strategies

Techniques used to manage and alleviate the experience of pain during labor.

Community-based Birth

Birth practices that involve family and community support, often outside of hospital settings.

Statistical Bias

An error in data interpretation influenced by cultural or social expectations.

Authoritative Knowledge

Knowledge that is recognized and valued within a specific context, often within medical settings.

Emotional Evaluation

The process of assessing feelings or responses during childbirth and their impact on the experience.

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the nervous system controlling involuntary bodily functions, including smooth muscle activity.

Contraction Feedback

The body's process of regulating uterine contractions based on pain perceptions.

Cultural Influences

Societal beliefs and norms that shape individual perceptions and experiences of childbirth.

Historical Context

The evolution of societal beliefs about childbirth through different eras.

Anticipatory Anxiety

Anxiety arising from expectations about pain or outcomes, potentially influencing pain perception.

Postpartum Hemorrhage

Excessive bleeding following childbirth, which can pose serious health risks.

Public Health Perspective

The view that childbirth practices should consider broader societal health implications.

Vicarious Learning

Acquiring knowledge or experience through observing others, affecting perceptions of childbirth.

Evidence-Based Medicine

Medical practices based on the best available research and clinical evidence.

Consent Rights

The legal rights of patients to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare.

Cultural Practices

Established methods and customs surrounding childbirth within specific societies.

Cognitive Dissonance

The mental discomfort experienced when holding two conflicting beliefs or attitudes.

System 1 and System 2 Thinking

Dual-system theory distinguishing between intuitive (System 1) and reflective (System 2) thinking.

Physiological Adaptations

Changes in the body to facilitate childbirth, including hormonal shifts.

Pain Management Techniques

Various methods, both medicinal and non-medicinal, used to alleviate labor pain.

Oxytocin Receptor Density

The concentration of receptors for oxytocin, which can change throughout pregnancy.

Healing Processes

The body's natural mechanisms for recovery and adaptation after childbirth.

Social Support Systems

Networks of interpersonal relationships that provide emotional and practical support during childbirth.

Ovarian Hormones

Hormones produced by the ovaries that affect uterine function and labor progression.

Comparative Birth Outcomes

Assessing results across different childbirth methods to evaluate efficacy and safety.

Elective Cesarean

A non-emergency cesarean section chosen for specific personal or medical reasons.

Fear of Childbirth

Anxiety or phobia related to the process of giving birth, often due to societal narratives.

Balancing Risk and Benefit

The process of weighing potential complications against the advantages of chosen childbirth methods.

Placebo Analgesia

Pain relief achieved through positive expectations without actual pharmacological intervention.

Quantitative Studies

Research using numerical data to analyze childbirth interventions and outcomes.

Qualitative Research

Investigative methods focusing on subjective experiences and perspectives regarding childbirth.

Physiological Indicators

Changes in the body that signal the onset or progression of labor.

Cultural Norms about Pain

Societal attitudes towards pain and its management in the context of childbirth.

Emotional Expression

The outward display of feelings during childbirth, which can affect the birth experience.

Hypnosis in Labor

The use of focused relaxation techniques to reduce pain and anxiety during childbirth.

Comparative Effectiveness Research

Studies that compare the results of different health interventions, particularly in childbirth.

Ancient Beliefs

Historical perspectives on women and childbirth that can still influence current practices.

Labor Progression

The stages and changes that occur as labor advances toward childbirth.

Uterine Quiescence

The state of relative inactivity and relaxation of the uterus during pregnancy.

Maternity Care Models

Different approaches to providing care for pregnant individuals during childbirth.

Psychosocial Factors

Psychological and social influences that affect health and wellbeing, particularly during childbirth.

Reflexive Response

Automatic reactions of the body, important for pain perception during labor.

Cultural Sensitivity

Awareness and understanding of cultural differences in childbirth practices.

Labor Induction

Medical or non-medical processes initiated to stimulate labor.

Pain Threshold

The point at which a sensation becomes painful, influenced by various factors.

Avoidance Techniques

Methods employed to diminish negative experiences during childbirth.

Sensory Pathways

Nerve pathways involved in transmitting pain signals to the brain.

Health Literacy

The ability to understand and use health-related information effectively.

Evidence-Practice Gap

The discrepancy between clinical evidence and actual practice in medical settings.

Midwifery Practices

The methods and philosophies employed by midwives in assisting with childbirth.

Social Media Influence

The impact of online platforms on public perceptions and experiences of childbirth.

Interventionist Care Models

Approaches to maternity care that heavily utilize medical interventions.

Patient Autonomy

The right of patients to make informed decisions regarding their own healthcare.

Historical Contextualization

Understanding childbirth practices through the lens of historical developments.

Perinatal Health

Health concerns surrounding the mother and baby during the perinatal period.

Birthplace Variability

Differences in childbirth experiences based on location, including home and hospital births.

Haptic Feedback

Sensory feedback received through touch, which can be influential during childbirth.

Childbirth Education

Programs designed to inform expecting parents about the birthing process.

Cultural Advocacy

Support for cultural approaches to childbirth that may differ from mainstream practices.

Bonding and Attachment

The emotional connection formed between parents and their newborn during and after birth.

Community-Based Care

Melting various healthcare models to provide comprehensive support for childbirth.

Alternative Birth Methods

Non-traditional approaches to childbirth, such as water births or freebirth.