A
|
| Abortion |
Any pregnancy that ends before 20 weeks, though the term
miscarriage is now used more to differentiate between a
termination, and a pregnancy that ended by itself. |
| Alpha-fetoprotein (AFT) |
Alpha-fetoprotein is a protein that appears in your blood when
you are pregnant. The level of AFT is tested to indicate whether
your baby may have any abnormalities such as Downs Syndrome. |
| Amniotic fluid |
The waters or fluid that surrounds the baby in the uterus. It's
held in the amniotic sac, sometimes known as the bag of
waters. |
| Ante-natal |
Before the birth |
| A.P.G.A.R. |
A set of observations to measure your baby's health after the
birth. It's usually done at one minute and again at five minutes
after birth. The points given in each category are added up to gain
a score out of 10. |
| APH |
Ante-partum haemorrhage - any serious bleeding before the
birth. |
B
|
| Breech (Br) |
A baby who is in the opposite position from the usual head
down. He could be feet first or bottom first if he's breech. |
C
|
| Cephalic (Ceph) |
The usual position of a baby in later pregnancy - head
down. |
D
|
| Dilatation (or dilation) |
The opening up of the cervix to allow the baby through. By the
end of the first stage of labour, the cervix will have dilated from
0cm to 10cm (4ins). |
E
|
| Ectopic pregnancy |
A pregnancy that grows not in the uterus, but in the fallopian
tube. The pregnancy has to be terminated, as it can be very risky
to the mother. |
| EDD |
Expected date of delivery |
| Engaged (Eng) |
When the baby's head is placed well down in the pelvis, and in
a good position for labour to begin. |
| Episiotomy |
Is a cut made in the skin between the birth canal and the anus.
This area of skin is called the perineum. The cut is made so the
baby can be delivered more easily. |
F
|
| FH: Foetal heart |
FH heard or FHH on your notes indicates your baby's heart has
been listened to. |
| FM: Foetal movement |
FM felt or FMF on your notes will be written in when you say
you have felt movements. |
| Fontanelle |
One of two soft spots on the new baby's skull, where the skull
bones have not yet fused. The anterior fontanelle on the top of the
head is large and diamond-shaped, and closes at around 18 months.
The smaller, triangular posterior fontanelle is at the very back of
the head and closes at about six months. |
| Fundus |
The top part of the uterus. The height of the fundus can help
the midwife check on the health and growth of your baby. |
H
|
| Hypertension |
High blood pressure |
| Hb: haemoglobin |
A low level of haemoglobin in the blood might mean you are
anaemic, and you may need treatment. |
L
|
| Lanugo |
Very fine, downy body hair on the new baby's back, shoulders,
ears and face. It protects his skin while in the uterus, but
disappears a few days after birth. |
M
|
| Multigravida |
A woman who has had more than one pregnancy. |
| Multipara |
Sometimes called multip. A woman who has given birth at least
once before. |
N
|
| NAD: nothing abnormal detected |
Put in your notes when the doctor or midwife finds everything
normal. |
O
|
| Occipito anterior |
The back of the baby's head is towards your front, often
written as OA, or LOA or ROA - left (or right) occipito anterior.
Either is normal, but LOA is probably easier for you. |
| Occipito posterior |
The back of the baby's head is towards your back. LOP and ROP
mean left or right. |
| Odema |
Fluid retention. This means you'll notice swelling in your
ankles, fingers and wrists, and possibly elsewhere. |
P
|
| Post-natal |
After the birth. |
| Primigravida |
A woman pregnant for the first time. Sometimes called a primip
- a woman giving birth for the first time. |
| Palpation |
A physical external examination to determine the position of
the foetus. |
| Placenta praevia |
When the placenta is lower down than normal, possibly covering
the cervix. |
T
|
| Term |
A baby born at term means he's born at 40 weeks (or a fortnight
either way) from the first day of your last period. |
V
|
| VE |
Vaginal examination. |
| Ventouse |
Vacuum extraction. This is a method of helping a baby out if
the birth is becoming difficult for mother or baby. |
| Vernix |
Sticky cream substance that coats the new baby's body at first.
It wears off. |
| VX: vertex |
The same as cephalic |