-
corpus luteum
graafian follicle cells remaining after ovulation. These cells produce estrogen and progesterone.
-
embryo
the developing baby from the beginning of the 3rd week through 8th week after conception.
-
endometrium
lining of the uterus
-
fertilization age
prenatal age of the developing baby, calculated from the date of conception.
-
fetus
the develping baby from 9 weeks after conception until birth. In everyday practice this term is often used to describe a developing baby during pregnancy, regardless of age.
-
gestational age
prenatal age of the developing baby (measured in weeks) calcuated from 1st day of the woman's last menstrual period. Also called, menstrual age, about 2 weeks longer than the fertilization age.
-
placenta
fetal structure that provides nourishment to and removes wastes from the developing baby and secretes hormones necessary for the pregnancy to continue.
-
aboriton
a spontaneous or elective termination of pregnancy before the 20th week of gestation, based on the date of the LMP. Spontaneous abortion is frequently called miscarriage by the lay public.
-
amenorrhea
absence of menstruation.
-
Braxton Hicks contractions
irregular, usally mild uterine contractions that occur throughout pregnancy and become stronger in the last trimester.
-
Chadwick's sign
bluish purple discoloration of the cervix, vagina, and labia during pregnancy as a result of increased vascular congestion.
-
colostrum
breast fluid secreted during pregnancy and the 1st week after birth.
-
Goodell's sign
softening of the cervix during pregnancy.
-
gravida
a woman who is or has been pregnant, regardless of the duration or outcome of the pregnancy.
-
hyperemia
excess of blood in a part of the body.
-
melasma
brownish pigmentation of the face during pregnancy, also called chloasma or "mask of pregnancy."
-
multigravida
a woman who has been pregnant more than once.
-
multipara
a woman who has delivered 2 or more pregnancies at 20 or more weeks of gestation.
-
nullipara
a woman who has never completed a pregnancy beyond a spontaneous or elective abortion.
-
para
# of pregnancies that have progressed to 20 or more weeks at delivery, whether the fetus was born alive or was stillborn; refers to the # of pregnancies, not the # of fetuses.
-
physiologic anemia of pregnancy
decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit values caused by dilution of erythrocytes by expanded plasma volume rather than by an actual decrease in erythrocytes or hemoglobin.
-
postterm birth
a brith that occurs 42 weeks of gestation.
-
preterm birth
a birth that occurs after the 20th week and befoe the start of the 38th week of gestation.
-
primigravida
a woman who is pregnant for the first time.
-
primipara
a woman who has delivered one pregnancy of at least 20 weeks.
-
quickening
the first movements of the fetus in the uterus felt by the mother.
-
striae gravidarum
irregular pink to purple streaks on he abdomen, breasts, or thighs resulting from tears in the connective tissue.
-
term birth
a birth that occurs between the 38th and 42nd weeks of gestation.
-
trimester
a divsion of pregnancy; one of three equal parts of 13 weeks each.
-
ambivalence
simultaneous conflicting emotions, attitudes, ideas, or wishes.
-
attachment
development of strong ties of affecion as a result of interaction between an infant and a significant other (mother, father, sibling, caretaker).
-
birth plan
a plan describing a couple's preferences for their birth experience.
-
bonding
development of a strong emotional tie of a parent to a newborn; also called claing or binding in.
-
doula
a trained support person employed to provide labor or postpartum support.
-
introversion
inward concentration on oneself and one's body.
-
narcissism
unde preoccupation with oneself.
|
|