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alpha-fetoprotein - a protein produced by the fetus that is excreted into the amniotic fluid. Abnormal levels of alpha-fetoprotein may indicate brain or spinal cord defects, multiple fetuses, a miscalculated due date, or chromosomal disorders.
amniocentesis - a test performed to determine chromosomal and genetic disorders and certain birth defects. The test involves inserting a needle through the abdominal and uterine wall into the amniotic sac to retrieve a sample of amniotic fluid.
amniotic sac - a thin-walled sac that surrounds the fetus during pregnancy. The sac is filled with amniotic fluid - liquid made by the fetus and the amnion (the membrane that covers the fetal side of the placenta) which protects the fetus from injury and helps to regulate the temperature of the fetus.
anemia - a decrease of red blood cells in the blood.
anus - the opening at the end of the anal canal.
Apgar test - A scoring system to evaluate the condition of the newborn immediately after birth.
areola - the pigmented ring around each nipple.
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Braxton-Hicks contractions - Painless contractions during pregnancy that help the uterus to grow and to help the blood circulate through the uterus.
breech birth - an abnormal delivery presentation in which the baby's feet, knees, or buttocks come into the birth canal first, before the baby's head.
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cerclage - cervical cerclage is a surgical
procedure to insert a stitch used to keep the cervix closed during pregnancy. It
is used to treat an incompetent cervix to prevent pre-term labor.
cervix - the lower part of the uterus that projects into the vagina. Made up of mostly fibrous tissue and muscle, the cervix is circular in shape.
chorionic villus sampling (CVS) - placental tissue that is sometimes retrieved for laboratory analysis. Cells from this tissue can be tested for certain genetic abnormalities and chromosomal disorders.
chromatography - a laboratory test performed on a pregnant woman's urine to detect illegal drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.
colostrum - a fluid in the breasts that nourishes the baby until the breast milk becomes available. Colostrum contains fats, carbohydrates, white blood cells, protein, and antibodies.
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eclampsia - a
life-threatening condition in the mother caused from untreated
preeclampsia. Eclampsia can lead to convulsions and coma.
ectopic pregnancy - an abnormal pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus.
EDD - estimated due date.
embryo - the fetus is first called an embryo during the first eight weeks after conception.
episiotomy - an incision through the vaginal wall and the perineum (the area between the thighs, extending from the anus to the vaginal opening) to help deliver the fetus.
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fetus - an unborn baby from the eighth week after fertilization until delivery.
folic acid - a nutrient found in some green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, citrus fruits, fortified breakfast cereals, and some vitamin supplements. Folic acid can help reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spinal cord.
fundus - the top of the enlarged uterus.
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galactosemia - an inherited disorder in which the baby is unable to metabolize galactose, a milk sugar.
gestational diabetes - Gestational diabetes
is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. About 3 to 5 percent of pregnant
women develop gestational diabetes. If gestational diabetes is left untreated,
the fetus will receive too much blood sugar and will grow too large. After
birth, the baby may have breathing difficulties, low blood sugar and jaundice.
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HELLP - about 10
percent of women with severe preeclampsia develop a disorder called HELLP
syndrome. (HELLP stands for Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelet
count.) Symptoms of HELLP syndrome include nausea and vomiting, headache and
upper right abdominal pain. Women can also develop HELLP syndrome without
preeclampsia 2-7 days after delivery.
human chorionic gonadotropin - a hormone produced by the placenta about 10 days after fertilization.
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IBCLC - International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants
incompetent cervix -
The cervix is the narrow, outer end of the uterus. If it is weak, it cannot hold
the fetus in the uterus. If caught in time, physicians can treat an incompetent
cervix with a stitch, known as a cerclage, to hold the cervix closed.
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lanugo - fine, downy hair that covers the fetus until shortly before or after birth.
leukorrhea - whitish vaginal discharge during pregnancy.
LMP - last menstrual period.
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macrosomia - a condition in which a baby is considerably larger than normal.
menstruation - a monthly process (except during pregnancy) that involves a discharge of bloody fluid from the uterus through the vagina; the discharge contains tissue shed from the endometrium (the lining of a woman's uterus) during the reproductive cycle.
miscarriage -
pregnancy loss that occurs prior to 20 weeks, before the fetus is able to
survive outside the womb. Most occur in the first trimester or 12 weeks of
pregnancy. As many as 50 percent of all pregnancies may end in miscarriage. Many
losses occur before a woman realizes she is pregnant.
molar pregnancy - an abnormal pregnancy in which
the early placenta develops
into a mass of cysts (called a hydatidiform mole) that resemble a bunch of white
grapes. The embryo either does not form at all or is malformed and cannot
survive. About one in 1,000 pregnancies is molar.
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oligohydramnios - too little amniotic fluid.
This condition affects about 8 percent of pregnancies. It can develop at any
time in pregnancy, although it is most common in the last trimester. About 12
percent of women whose pregnancies last two weeks beyond their due date develop
oligohydramnios as amniotic fluid levels naturally decline. Oligohydramnios is
diagnosed with ultrasound.
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placenta - an organ, shaped like a flat cake, that only grows during pregnancy and provides a metabolic interchange between the fetus and mother. (The fetus takes in oxygen, food, and other substances and eliminates carbon dioxide and other wastes.)
placental abruption - a serious condition in
which the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus, partially or
completely, before delivery. If this happens, the baby can be deprived of oxygen
and nutrients and the mother can experience life-threatening bleeding. Placental
abruption occurs in about 1 in 100 pregnancies.
placenta accreta,
increta and percreta -
- Placenta accreta is a placenta that attaches itself too deeply and too
firmly into the wall of the uterus.
- Placenta increta is a placenta that attaches itself even more deeply into
the uterine wall.
- Placenta percreta is a placenta that attaches itself through the uterus,
sometimes extending to nearby organs, such as the bladder.
placenta previa - a low-lying placenta that covers all or part of
the internal opening of the cervix. The cervix is the exit route from the uterus
through which the baby passes during delivery. Placenta previa occurs in about 1
in 200 pregnancies.
polyhydramnios -
about 2 percent of pregnant women have too much amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios).
This condition is diagnosed with ultrasound. Most cases are mild and are a
result of a gradual buildup of fluid during the second half of pregnancy. About
half the time, polyhydraminos goes away by itself. Some cases, however, begin as
early as 16 weeks of pregnancy and often result in a very early delivery.
port-wine stain - a flat, pink, red, or purple colored birthmark.
preeclampsia - a condition characterized by pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and swelling (edema) due to fluid retention.
premature - a baby born before full term or 37 weeks of gestation.
pre-term labor -
Preterm birth is any birth that occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy. It is
the cause of many infant deaths and lingering infant illnesses in the United
States.
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rooting - when a newborn turns his/her head toward touch near the mouth.
stillbirth - when
fetal death occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy, it is referred to as stillbirth.
(A fetal death prior to 20 weeks is a miscarriage.) Stillbirth occurs in about
one in 200 pregnancies.
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toxoplasmosis - an infection caused by a parasite that can lead to serious illness or death in the fetus.
trimester - a pregnancy is divided into phases, which are about three months each.
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ultrasound - a diagnostic imaging technique which uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the fetus' body and organs and the surrounding tissues.
umbilical cord - a rope-like cord connecting the fetus to the placenta. The umbilical cord contains two arteries and a vein, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the fetus and waste products away from the fetus.
uterine wall - the wall of the uterus.
uterus (Also called the womb.) - the uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a woman's lower abdomen, between the bladder and the rectum, that sheds its lining each month during menstruation and in which a fertilized egg (ovum) becomes implanted and the fetus develops.
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vagina - the part of the female genitals, behind the bladder and in front of the rectum, that forms a canal extending from the uterus to the vulva.
vernix caseosa (Also called vernix.) - a white substance that covers the skin of the fetus (while inside the uterus) and helps to protect the fetus.
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