02/04/2025
1. Pregnancy & Gestation
Gestation – The period of pregnancy from conception to birth
Trimester – A division of pregnancy into three stages (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Estimated Due Date (EDD) – Predicted date of childbirth
Fundal Height – Measurement of uterus size to assess fetal growth
Quickening – First fetal movements felt by the mother
Lightening – When the baby drops lower in the pelvis before birth
Braxton Hicks Contractions – False labor contractions
Gravida – The number of times a woman has been pregnant
Parity (Para) – The number of pregnancies carried beyond 20 weeks
Nullipara – A woman who has never given birth
2. Labour & Delivery
Labour – Process of childbirth, including contractions and delivery
Effacement – Thinning of the cervix before birth
Dilation – Opening of the cervix (measured in cm, 0–10 cm)
Station – Baby’s position in the pelvis (measured in negative and positive numbers)
Engagement – When the baby's head moves into the pelvis
Rupture of Membranes (ROM) – Breaking of the amniotic sac (“water breaking”)
Artificial Rupture of Membranes (AROM) – Breaking the water manually
Meconium-stained Liquor – When the baby passes stool in the womb
Fetal Distress – Signs that the baby is not coping well during labour
Contractions – Uterine tightening and relaxing during labour
3. Birth Process
Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery (SVD) – Birth without medical intervention
Episiotomy – A surgical cut to enlarge the va**nal opening
Perineal Tear – Natural tearing of the perineum during birth
Crowning – When the baby’s head is visible during birth
Vacuum Extraction – Using suction to assist va**nal delivery
Forceps Delivery – Using metal instruments to assist delivery
Caesarean Section (C-section) – Surgical delivery of a baby
Placental Delivery – Expulsion of the placenta after birth
Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) – Excessive bleeding after childbirth
Skin-to-Skin Contact – Placing the baby on the mother’s chest immediately after birth
4. Fetal Development & Wellbeing
Amniotic Fluid – Protective fluid around the baby in the uterus
Placenta – Organ that provides nutrients and oxygen to the baby
Umbilical Cord – Structure that connects the baby to the placenta
Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) – Baby’s heartbeat measured during pregnancy
Apgar Score – Newborn assessment at 1 and 5 minutes after birth
Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) – Poor fetal growth in the womb
Macrosomia – Large baby (birth weight over 4 kg or 8.8 lbs)
Cephalic Presentation – Baby positioned head-down for birth
Breech Presentation – Baby positioned feet or bottom first
Shoulder Dystocia – When the baby’s shoulder gets stuck during birth
5. Complications in Pregnancy & Labour
Preterm Labour – Labour occurring before 37 weeks of pregnancy
Preeclampsia – High blood pressure and protein in urine during pregnancy
Eclampsia – Seizures due to severe preeclampsia
Gestational Diabetes – High blood sugar levels during pregnancy
Placenta Previa – When the placenta covers the cervix
Placental Abruption – When the placenta separates from the uterus too early
Oligohydramnios – Low amniotic fluid levels
Polyhydramnios – Excess amniotic fluid
Cord Prolapse – Umbilical cord slips through the cervix before the baby
Chorioamnionitis – Infection of the amniotic sac
6. Newborn Care & Neonatology
Neonatal – Referring to newborns (first 28 days of life)
Colostrum – First milk produced by the mother, rich in antibodies
Lactation – Breast milk production
Meconium – Baby’s first stool, thick and sticky
Jaundice – Yellowing of the newborn’s skin due to excess bilirubin
Hypoglycemia – Low blood sugar in newborns
Neonatal Sepsis – Infection in a newborn
Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) – Breathing difficulty in premature babies
Newborn Screening – Tests performed on newborns to detect health conditions
Kangaroo Care – Holding a baby skin-to-skin for warmth and bonding
7. Postpartum Care
Lochia – Vaginal discharge after childbirth
Involution – The uterus returning to its normal size after delivery
Perineal Care – Cleaning and caring for the perineum after birth
Postnatal Depression – Depression occurring after childbirth
Breast Engorgement – Swollen and painful breasts due to milk buildup
Mastitis – Breast infection in breastfeeding mothers
Exclusive Breastfeeding – Feeding the baby only breast milk for six months
Postpartum Check-up – Medical visit after childbirth to check recovery
Pelvic Floor Exercises – Exercises to strengthen muscles after childbirth
Rooming-in – Keeping the newborn with the mother instead of the nursery
8. Midwifery Equipment & Procedures
Doppler – Handheld device to check fetal heartbeat
CTG (Cardiotocography) – Machine to monitor contractions and fetal heart rate
Speculum Exam – Vaginal examination using a speculum
Induction of Labour – Artificially starting labour using medication
Augmentation of Labour – Helping labour progress with medication
Pelvimetry – Measuring the pelvis to assess childbirth suitability
Bishop Score – Assessment of cervix readiness for labour induction
Suture Removal – Taking out stitches from an episiotomy or C-section
Uterine Massage – Massage to prevent postpartum hemorrhage
IV Fluid Therapy – Giving fluids through a vein to a labouring mother
9. Family Planning & Reproductive Health
Contraception – Methods to prevent pregnancy
IUD (Intrauterine Device) – A contraceptive device placed in the uterus
Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs) – Birth control pills
Ovulation – Release of an egg from the o***y
Fertility Treatment – Medical help for conception
Miscarriage – Pregnancy loss before 20 weeks
Stillbirth – Death of a baby after 20 weeks of pregnancy
Ectopic Pregnancy – Pregnancy outside the uterus
Termination of Pregnancy – Medical or surgical abortion
Reproductive Health Education – Teaching about pregnancy, childbirth, and family planning
10. Emergency & Critical Situations
Obstetric Emergency – Life-threatening pregnancy complications
HELLP Syndrome – A severe form of preeclampsia
Amniotic Fluid Embolism – A rare but serious childbirth complication
Umbilical Cord Compression – Cord restricting blood flow to the baby
Neonatal Resuscitation – Emergency help for a newborn who isn’t breathing
Severe Postpartum Hemorrhage – Heavy bleeding after birth
Epidural Hematoma – Blood clot after an epidural injection
Uterine Rupture – Tearing of the uterus during labour
Septic Shock – Severe infection leading to organ failure
Emergency Caesarean Section – Urgent C-section due to complications..
