pregnancy and delivery
active labor
the last part of the first stage of labor, during which the cervix becomes fully dilated; characterized by intense and frequent contractions
dialation
widening, stretching, expanding
breech
When a baby is born bottom or feet first
stillborn birth
the death or loss of a baby before or during delivery
quickening
the first movements of the fetus felt in utero
effacement
the cervix stretches and gets thinner
epidural
procedure that injects a local anaesthetic in to the space around the spinal nerves in your lower back.
mucus plug
A collection of thick mucus in the cervix that prevents bacteria from entering the uterus
Obstetrician
A doctor who specializes in pregnancy, labor, and delivery
Dominant genes
A dominant gene, or a dominant version of a gene
Ectopic pregnancy
A pregnancy outside of the womb, usually in a fallopian tube
placenta
A structure that allows an embryo to be nourished with the mother's blood supply
lightining
At the end of the third trimester, the baby settles, or drops lower, into the mother's pelvis.
Traits
Characteristics that are inherited
fontanel
Soft spot in the skull where membranes cover the space between bones
Genes
The basic physical and functional unit of heredity made up of DNA
Miscarriage
The death of an embryo or fetus in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy
Aminotic sac
a fluid-filled sac that cushions and protects a developing embryo and fetus in the uterus
amniotic sac
a fluid-filled sac that cushions and protects a developing embryo and fetus in the uterus
vernix
a greasy substance that protects the fetus in utero and can still be present at birth
Ultrasound
a prenatal test offered to most pregnant women. It uses sound waves to show a picture of your baby in the uterus (womb). Ultrasound helps your health care provider check on your baby's health and development.
Amniocentesis
a procedure used to take out a small sample of the amniotic fluid for testing.
doula
a professional labor assistant who provides physical and emotional support to you and your partner during pregnancy
labor
a series of continuous, progressive contractions of the uterus that help the cervix dilate
episiotomy
a surgical cut made at the opening of the vagina during childbirth, to aid a difficult delivery and prevent rupture of tissues.
umbilical cord
a tube containing the blood vessels connecting the fetus and placenta
Midwife
a woman skilled in aiding the delivery of babies
parturition
act of giving birth
crowning
appearance of the top of the baby's head during labor
Cephalic position
birth position in which any part of the head emerges first. It is the most common presentation
Braxton Hicks contractions
contractions of the uterus that typically are not felt until the second or third trimester of the pregnancy. Braxton-Hicks contractions are the body's way of preparing for true labor, but they do not indicate that labor has begun.(practice contractions)
2nd stage of birth
delivery
3rd stage of birth
delivery of placenta
fetal monitor
electronic device used to monitor the baby's heartbeat throughout labor
lanugo
fine, soft hair, especially that which covers the body and limbs of a human fetus or newborn.
Recessive genes
genes that are expressed only in the absence of a dominant gene
1st stage of birth
labor
transition
the mothers body is making the shift from opening the cervix to the beginning of the baby's descent
Chromosomes
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes
contractions
tightening and releasing of the muscles of the uterus
