A severe form of preeclampsia in which coma and convulsions can occur.

Implantation and development of a fertilized ovum outside the uterus.

Thinning of the cervix. Effacement is measured by a percentage (0 to 100%) with a 100% being completely thinned out.

The presenting part of the baby descends into the pelvis. Also referred to as the baby having “dropped.”

Swollen and tender breasts. When a woman's breasts are filled to capacity with milk; usually begins between two days and a week after childbirth, when mom’s milk comes in. Symptoms usually disappear in a few days after nursing is well established, but breasts can re-engorge during weaning, a sudden nursing strike, a bout of mastitis, or if the baby is sick. Engorgement may be very uncomfortable.

Anesthesia produced by the injection of local anesthetic into the epidural space of the spine.

An incision made into the perineum (from the vagina towards the rectum) prior to delivery of the baby's head. This widens the opening to facilitate birth when the vaginal opening is too small to allow the baby to pass without tearing.

Hypertension without apparent cause.

A hormone produced by the ovaries that contributes to the monthly preparation of the uterus for pregnancy, and promotes the development and maintenance of female sex characteristics.

Either of two long, slender ducts connecting a woman's uterus to her ovaries, where eggs are transported from the ovaries to the uterus and sperm may fertilize an egg.

The baby's heartbeat as heard through the abdominal wall. Also called the Fetal Heart Rate (FHR), it is normally 120-160 beats/minute.

The name given to the baby from the eighth week of pregnancy to delivery.

A benign, non-cancerous, ball-shaped growth of excess muscle fiber that can occur in the uterus.

A B vitamin that is essential to grow a healthy baby.

The soft spots on the baby's head between the developing skull plates.

Tong-like device used to assist in delivery.

The loose tissue that covers the head of the penis.

A liquid food for babies, containing most of the nutrients found in breast milk.

The top of the uterus.

The basic unit of DNA, which is responsible for passing genetic information; each gene contains the instructions for the production of a certain protein.

The time period between conception and delivery.

The principal circulating sugar in the blood and major energy source of the body.

A number referring to the number of pregnancies a woman has had.