PRENATAL GLOSSARY
• Eclampsia – A complication of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure and seizures
• Ectopic pregnancy – A pregnancy that implants into any tissue other than the uterine wall
• Effacement – A shortening or thinning of the cervix before or during early labor
• Electronic fetal monitoring – A device that allows observation of the fetal heart rate and uterine contractions . It may be applied externally or internally . With an external monitor , the fetal heart rate is detected by an ultrasound transducer positioned on the abdomen . Internal monitoring of the fetal heart rate is accomplished via an electrode placed on the fetal scalp .
• Enema – An injection of fluid into the rectum , usually for treatment of constipation
• Epidural – An injection of anesthetic into the epidural space of the spine , often used for pain relief during childbirth
• Episiotomy – A surgical incision through the perineum made to enlarge the vagina and assist in childbirth
• External cephalic version – A procedure that externally rotates the fetus from a breech position to a position that allows normal head-first birth , or vertex presentation
• Fetal alcohol syndrome – A range of birth defects that result from alcohol consumption by the mother during pregnancy
• Fetal heart tones – The number of heartbeats in the fetus that occur in a minute
• Fibroids – A benign ( non-cancerous ) tumor of the uterus that is comprised of fibrous connective tissue
• Genetic screening – The analysis of DNA samples to detect the presence of a gene or genes associated with an inherited disorder
• Gestational diabetes – Gestational diabetes is a condition that occurs during pregnancy and usually subsides after giving birth . Like other forms of diabetes , gestational diabetes involves a defect in the way the body processes and uses sugars ( glucose ) in the diet .
• Group B streptococcus ( GBS ) – A common bacterial infection that is potentially life-threatening if transmitted to a fetus during pregnancy or birth
• Hematocrit – The percentage ( by volume ) of packed red blood cells in a centrifuged sample of blood
• Hemorrhoids – A swollen and easily broken blood vessel in the anal area , often accompanied by intense itching and throbbing pain uabmedicine . org 77