Definitions

Amniotic Fluid: This protective liquid, consisting mostly of fetal urine and water, fills the sac surrounding the fetus.

APGAR : A measurement of the newborn's response to birth and life outside the womb. The ratings, APGAR, are based on Appearance (color), Pulse (heartbeat), Grimace (reflex), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing). The scores, which are taken at 1 & 5 minutes following birth, range from 10 to 1, with 10 being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

Augmentation/induction: Labor is started or accelerated through intervention, such as placing prostaglandin gel on the cervix, using an IV drip of the hormone oxytocin (Pitocin), or by rupturing the membranes.

• Prostaglandin gel: (Cervidil) A medication used to ripen the cervix before induction.
• Amniotomy: Artificial rupture of our membranes (bag of waters)
• Cytotec: A pill that is administered vaginally, placed close to the cervix. It assists in cervical ripening, and may stimulate contractions and enhance the effects of Pitocin.
• Pitocin:  The synthetic form of the  hormone pitocin, which is secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates contractions and the milk-eject reflex.

Delaying interventions and mother/infant bonding:

1. Eye Ointment:  Erythromycin ointment is placed in the newborn's eyes shortly after birth to protect them from getting a bacterial eye infection in case they came in contact with bacteria at the time of birth.

2. Vitamin K: This injection is given shortly after birth. Vitamin K plays an important part in making our blood clot. A very small number of newborn babies (about 1 in 10,000) suffers from vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). This used to be called haemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN). These babies don't have enough vitamin K. This means they may have nose or mouth bleeds, or they may suffer from internal bleeding which can be very serious.

3. Hepatitis B Vaccine: This injection is also given shortly after birth, it is a vaccine against hepatitis B.

Breech Presentation: When the fetus is positioned head up to be born buttocks first or with one or both feet first.

Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD): The baby is too large to safely pass through the mother's pelvis.

Cesarean: An incision through the abdominal and uterine walls for extraction of the fetus; it may be vertical or more commonly, horizontal. Also called abdominal delivery; commonly called C-Section. Circumcision:

Clear liquid diet: Consists of foods/everages that are "clear".  Some examples are Jello, broth, water, and some juices.

Colostrum: This is a thin, white fluid discharged from the breasts in the early stage of milk production, and usually noticeable during the last couple weeks of pregnancy.

Complete Breech: The baby's buttocks are presenting at the cervix, but the legs are folded “Indian style,” making vaginal delivery difficult or impossible.

Contraction: The regular tightening of the uterus, working to push the baby down the birth canal.

Cord Blood: Cord blood is the blood that remains in your baby’s umbilical cord after the cord has been cut, and it is usually thrown away. Like bone marrow, cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, which are the building blocks of blood and the immune system. They differentiate, or reproduce, into other cells: red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body; white blood cells, which fight infections; and platelets, which are necessary for clotting.

Cord Blood Benefits: When cord blood stem cells are used by that same child, it is always a perfect match. There is also a 25 percent chance that it will be a match for one of the child’s siblings. Cord blood transplants are currently being used to treat diseases in four categories:

• Malignancies – various forms of leukemia, multiple myeloma, testicular cancer
• Hemoglobinopathies and blood disorders – sickle cell anemia, Fanconi’s anemia, thalassemia
• Immune deficiencies – severe combined immunodeficiency diseases, chronic granulomatous disease
• Inborn errors of metabolism – Hurler syndrome, bare-lymphocyte syndrome, Krabbe’s disease

Crowning: When the baby's head has passed through the birth canal and the top or “crown” stays visible at the vaginal opening.

Delayed cord cutting:

Demerol: A narcotic pain medication that is a popular choice for pain relief during labor. Demerol alters how you recognize the pain you are experiencing by binding to the receptors found in your central nervous system. The advantages of Demerol include: can be given by injection into the muscle, the vein or by a Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) pump. Demerol starts working in less than 5 minutes.

Dilation: The extent to which the cervix has opened in preparation for childbirth. It is measured in centimeters, with full dilation being 10 centimeters.

Effacement: This refers to the thinning of the cervix in preparation for birth, and is expressed in percentages. You will be 100% effaced when you begin pushing.

Engaged: The baby's presenting part (usually the head) has settled into the pelvic cavity, which usually happens during the last month of pregnancy.

Epidural: A common method of anesthesia used during labor. It is inserted through a catheter which is threaded through a needle, into the dura space near the spinal cord. “Walking” Epidural (low dose epidural)

Episiotomy: An incision made to the perineum to widen the vaginal opening for delivery.

Fetal Distress: Condition when the baby is not receiving enough oxygen or is experiencing some other complication.

Fetal Monitoring:

• External monitoring: a wide belt with an ultrasound receiver is strapped to your belly to measure the baby's heartbeat
• Internal fetal monitoring: where an electrode is placed on the baby's scalp (often piercing the baby's skin) through your vagina and cervix. Both types of monitor are connected to a machine that records the heartbeat. The internal monitor is usually more accurate, but is also more invasive.

Fontanelle: Soft spots between the unfused sections of the baby's skull. These allow the baby's head to compress slightly during passage through the birth canal.

Forceps: Tong shaped instrument that may be used to help guide the baby's head out of the birth canal during delivery.

Frank Breech: The baby's buttocks are presenting at the cervix and the baby's legs are extended straight up to the baby's head.

Heparin Lock: Most hospitals require this as access to a vein should an emergency occur, it can also be used in place of an IV for administration of antibiotics for complications such as Beta Strep.  Narcotic pain medication can also be administered through a heparin lock.  A heprin (now called a "saline lock") is the same thing as having an IV, but you are not "hooked up" to any tubing that can interfere with mobility.

Incontinence: Inability to control excretions. Urinary incontinence can occur as the baby places heavy pressure on the bladder.

Induced Labor: Labor is started or accelerated through intervention, such as placing prostaglandin gel on the cervix, using an IV drip of the hormone oxytocin (Pitocin), or by rupturing the membranes.

Jaundice: Condition in newborn babies, reflected in yellowing of the skin, caused by the immature liver's inability to process excess red blood cells.

Labor: Regular contractions of the uterus that result in dilation and effacement of the cervix.

Lightening: When the baby drops in preparation for delivery (Engagement).

Local Anesthesia: An injection directly into the skin to cause numbness.  Lidocaine is one of the most popular local anesthetics, it is used when your Dr/midwife stitches an episiotomy or tear followig birth.

Meconium: This is the greenish substance that builds up in the bowels of a growing fetus and is normally discharged shortly after birth.

Maintaining Mobility in labor helps with labor pain, allows you to use the shower/tub, and by walking, squatting, and moving you can help the baby "engage" in the pelvis, as well as stimulate contractions.

Minimal Vaginal Exams during labor not only decreases the risk of infection, it also is less invasive; and vaginal exams can be painful.  You have the right to ask for a vaginal exam, and you also have the right to refuse a vaginal exam (unless there is a complication such as a prolapsed cord)

Neonatalogist: A specialist who cares for newborns.

NICU: Acronym standing for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Nubain: Synthetic narcotic pain reliever commonly used in labor and delivery.

Oxytocin: Hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates contractions and the milk-eject reflex. Pitocin is the synthetic form of this hormone.

Perineum: The muscle and tissue between the vagina and the rectum.

Phenergan: A sedative administered that also controls nausea and vomiting.

Placenta: The tissue that connects the mother and fetus to transport nourishment and take away waste.

Placenta Previa: When the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix.

Posterior: The baby is in a face-up position during delivery. Normal presentation is anterior which is face down.

Post Partum: The period after childbirth.

Post-Term: Pregnancy lasting more than 42 weeks.

Preterm: Babies born earlier than 37 weeks.

Prostaglandin Cream: Medication used to ripen the cervix before induction.

Restricted diet: This diet includes soft foods like mashed potatoes, creme soups, pudding, and juice/water/milk.

Ruptured Membranes: Usually refers to the breaking of the fluid filled sac surrounding the baby. The fluid may come as a gush of water or as a slow leak. Slow leaks are sometimes mistaken as incontinence.

Speculum: An instrument used to open the vagina slightly wider so that the cervix can be seen more easily.

Stadol: Stadol has been found to relieve pain when given in the first stage of labor. This narcotic is considered more potent then Demerol. It is usually given intravenously in small doses, usually 1 to 2 mg. The advantages of using Stadol include:

Timing Contractions: Contractions are measured from the beginning of one contraction until the beginning of the next contraction.

Transverse: Baby's body length is horizontal in the uterus. If the baby cannot be moved, it will have to be delivered by cesarean .

Umbilical Cord: The cord that transports blood, oxygen and nutrients to the baby from the placenta.

Vacuum Extractor: Instrument that attaches to the baby's head and helps guide it out of the birth canal during delivery.

Wavier: Also called a “release”; “against medical advice”.