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GPH Materntiy Your Journey Book PI499 0216

Glossary This section explains some of the medical terms used in this booklet, and by your midwife or doctor. amniocentesis a test in early pregnancy that checks for some birth defects. The test uses a needle that goes through the abdominal wall into the sac around the baby. The needle takes a sample of amniotic fluid which is tested. amniotic fluid the clear liquid that surrounds and protects the baby throughout pregnancy. anaemia a deficiency in the number or quality of red blood cells. antenatal the period of time before giving birth. Also called prenatal. Braxton Hicks contractions irregular, often painless tightening of the uterus during pregnancy. caesarean surgery to birth the baby. It involves a cut through the abdomen and uterus. cervix the entrance of the womb or narrow lower end of the uterus that opens into the vagina. colostrum the first milk. Breastfed babies receive colostrum in the first few days following birth. Provides nutrition and protection for the baby against infectious diseases. epidural an injection of anaesthetic into the epidural space of the spinal cord to numb the body’s nerves below the waist. episiotomy when the tissue or skin between the vagina and the anus (the prerineum) is cut to enlarge the opening of the vagina during birth. This is stitched following the birth. fetal heart monitoring (CTG) a method of listening to the baby’s heart beat during pregnancy and birth. Monitoring of the baby can be through the abdomen or internally through the vagina. folate (folic acid) can help reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spinal cord (also called neural tube defects). forceps a special instrument placed around the baby’s head, inside the vagina, to help guide the baby out during delivery. genetic inherited, hereditary. gestation a term that refers to the duration (in weeks) of the pregnancy. Group B Streptococci (GBS) bacteria that occur naturally in the vagina and intestinal tract (anus) in about 15 percent of women. This is normal and rarely harmful when a woman is not pregnant. However, in a very small number of cases (one in 100) the bacteria can pass to the baby during birth and may cause an infection that makes the baby very sick. 42 Greenslopes Maternity Your Journey Hepatitis B/Hep B a viral infection of the liver. HIV human immunodeficiency virus; the virus that causes AIDS. hypertension high blood pressure. induction of labour labour brought on using a synthetic version of the hormone (oxytocin) that starts contractions. meconium greenish black sticky substance passed as baby’s first bowel motion. nitrous oxide a gas mixed with oxygen used in birth to help with pain relief. Pap smear test a vaginal examination to detect cell abnormalities in the cervix. pethidine a medication given by injection to help with pain. placenta an organ inside the uterus that is attached to the baby by the umbilical cord. Its function is to exchange blood, oxygen and nutrients between the mother and baby. postnatal the term used to describe the six-week period immediately following the birth of the baby. pre-eclampsia a condition of pregnancy characterised by high blood pressure and protein in the urine. premature a baby born before 37 weeks of gestation. prenatal the term used to describe the time during the pregnancy before the birth of the baby. Also referred to as antenatal. prostin a synthetic hormone that is inserted into the vagina to assist induction of labour. rubella (German measles) a viral disease that can cause major abnormalities in the unborn baby if the mother has the infection in early pregnancy. spina bifida a birth defect in the spinal column. Membranes of the spinal cord and the spinal cord itself protrude outside the protective bony canal of the spine. ultrasound a test to view the internal organs of the baby in the uterus. It uses sound waves that echo off the body to create a picture of the baby. umbilical cord the connection between the baby and the placenta. Vacuum/ventouse birth a procedure used to assist the birth of the baby by using gentle suction to the baby’s head. Also called ventouse.


GPH Materntiy Your Journey Book PI499 0216
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