PRENATAL GLOSSARY
• Amniocentesis – A procedure for obtaining amniotic fluid from a pregnant uterus , done by inserting a hollow needle through the abdominal wall and into the amniotic sac . It is used in diagnosing possible genetic diseases and / or obstetric complications .
• Analgesic – Any medicine , such as Tylenol , that reduces pain
• Anemia – A medical condition in which the capacity of the blood to transport oxygen to bodily tissue is reduced , either because of too few red blood cells or because of too little hemoglobin , resulting in pallor and fatigue
• Barrier methods of contraception – Methods such as condoms and diaphragm , in which a plastic or rubber barrier blocks sperm from entering the vagina or cervix
• Beta hCG – A type of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone that is produced by the cells of an implanting embryo and is used in testing for pregnancy
• Bilateral tubal ligation – A tubal ligation – also known as having your tubes tied or tubal sterilization – is a type of permanent birth control for women in which the fallopian tubes are cut , blocked , or removed to prevent pregnancy .
• Breech – Presentation of a fetus with the buttocks or feet appearing first
• Carpal tunnel syndrome – A form of repetitive stress injury caused by compression of the median nerve in the arm as it travels through the carpal tunnel , a passageway on the palm side of the wrist
• Cephalopelvic disproportion – Occurs when a baby ’ s head or body is too large to fit through the mother ’ s pelvis
• Colostrum – A form of milk produced by the mammary glands in late pregnancy and the few days after giving birth . Human colostrum is thick and yellowish and has high concentrations of nutrients and antibodies , but it is small in quantity .
• Cystic fibrosis – An inherited genetic condition in which the exocrine glands produce abnormally viscous mucus , causing chronic respiratory and digestive problems
• Depo-Provera injections – Depo-Provera is a hormone that when administered by intramuscular injection prevents pregnancy for three months .
• Dilation & curettage ( D & C ) – A surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated and the lining of the uterus is scraped with a curette
• Down syndrome – Condition caused by a chromosomal abnormality . It can result in a wide range of developmental delays and physical disabilities .
76 My Prenatal Care Book