Ob Terminology

Front 1

ACNM

Back 1

American College of Nurse Midwives

Front 2

ACOG

Back 2

American College of Obstetrics and gynecology

Front 3

AWHONN

Back 3

Association of women's health obstetrics and neonatal nurses

Front 4

What does PID stand for and what does it mean?

Back 4

pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) refers to infection of the uterus (womb), fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus) and other reproductive organs that causes symptoms such as lower abdominal pain. It is a serious complication of some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), especially chlamydia and gonorrhea. PID can damage the fallopian tubes and tissues in and near the uterus and ovaries. PID can lead to serious consequences including infertility, ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy in the fallopian tube or elsewhere outside of the womb), abscess formation, and chronic pelvic pain.

Front 5

What is an IUD?

Back 5

intrauterine device

The intrauterine device (IUD) is a method of birth control designed for insertion into a woman's uterus so that changes occur in the uterus that make it difficult for fertilization of an egg and implantation of a pregnancy. IUDs also have been referred to as "intrauterine contraception (IUC). IUDs approved for use in the U.S. contain medications that are released over time to facilitate the contraceptive effect.

Front 6

FSH?

Back 6

Follicle-stimulating hormone

Use in females—FSH is primarily responsible for stimulating growth of the ovarian follicle, which includes the developing egg, the cells surrounding the egg that produce the hormones needed to support a pregnancy, and the fluid around the egg. As the follicle grows, an increasing amount of the hormone estrogen is produced by the cells in the follicle and released into the bloodstream. Estrogen causes the endometrium (lining of the uterus) to thicken before ovulation occurs. The higher blood levels of estrogen will also tell the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to slow the production and release of FSH.

Front 7

PMDD

Back 7

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Like PMS, premenstrual dysphoric disorder follows a predictable, cyclic pattern. Symptoms begin in the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (after ovulation) and end shortly after menstruation begins.[6]

Emotional symptoms are generally present, and in PMDD, mood symptoms are dominant.[6] Substantial disruption to personal relationships is typical for women with PMDD.[6] Anxiety, anger, and depression may also occur

Front 8

PMS

Back 8

Premenstrual Syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a combination of emotional, physical, psychological, and mood disturbances that occur after a woman's ovulation and typically ending with the onset of her menstrual flow. The most common mood-related symptoms are irritability, depression, crying, oversensitivity, and mood swings with alternating sadness and anger. The most common physical symptoms are fatigue, bloating, breast tenderness (mastalgia), acne, and appetite changes with food cravings

Front 9

BV

Back 9

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is an abnormal vaginal condition that is characterized by vaginal discharge and results from an overgrowth of normal bacteria in the vagina.
Bacterial vaginosis is not dangerous, but it can cause disturbing symptoms.
Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis are vaginal discharge and odor, although 85% of women with the condition experience no symptoms.
In diagnosing bacterial vaginosis, it is important to exclude other serious infections, such as gonorrhea and Chlamydia.
Treatment options for bacterial vaginosis include oral antibiotics and vaginal gels.
Serious complications of bacterial vaginosis can occur during pregnancy, and recurrence is possible even after successful treatment.

Front 10

What is HPV?

Back 10

Human Papilloma Virus

Genital warts are caused by infection with a subgroup of the human papillomaviruses (HPVs).


Another subgroup of the HPVs that infect the anogenital tract can lead to precancerous changes in the uterine cervix and cause cervical cancer.


HPV infection is now considered to be the most common sexually-transmitted infection (sexually transmitted disease, STD) in the U.S., and it is believed that at least 75% of the reproductive-age population has been infected with sexually-transmitted HPV at some point in life.


HPV infection is common and does not usually lead to the development of warts, cancers, or even symptoms.


HPV infection of the genital tract is transmitted through sexual contact, although non-sexual transmission is also possible.


In many cases genital warts do not cause any symptoms, but they are sometimes associated with itching, burning, or tenderness.


Condom use seems to decrease the risk of transmission of HPV during sexual activity but does not completely prevent HPV infection.

Front 11

VDRL

Back 11

Veneral Disease Research laboratory

The Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test or VDRL is a blood test for syphilis and was developed by the former Venereal Disease Research Laboratory

Front 12

RPR

Back 12

Rapid Plasma Reagin

a blood test for syphilis that looks for an antibody that is present in the bloodstream when a patient has syphilis.

Front 13

STI/STD

Back 13

Sexually transmitted disease/infection

Front 14

GnRH

Back 14

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone

also known as Luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) and luliberin, is a trophic peptide hormone responsible for the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary. GnRH is synthesized and released from neurons within the hypothalamus. The peptide belongs to gonadotropin-releasing hormone family.

Front 15

LH

Back 15

Lutienizing hormone

is a hormone produced by gonadotroph cells in the anterior pituitary gland. In females, an acute rise of LH ("LH surge") triggers ovulation[3] and development of the corpus luteum. In males, where LH had also been called interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH),[4] it stimulates Leydig cell production of testosterone.[3] It acts synergistically with FSH.

Front 16

GH

Back 16

Growth hormone






A hormone that stimulates growth in animal or plant cells, esp. (in animals) a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland

Front 17

PG

Back 17

Prostaglandin

Any of a group of cyclic fatty acids with hormonelike effects, notably the promotion of uterine contractions

Front 18

HcG

Back 18

Human chorionic gonadotropin

interacts with the LHCG receptor and promotes the maintenance of the corpus luteum during the beginning of pregnancy, causing it to secrete the hormone progesterone. Progesterone enriches the uterus with a thick lining of blood vessels and capillaries so that it can sustain the growing fetus. Due to its highly negative charge, hCG may repel the immune cells of the mother, protecting the fetus during the first trimester. It has also been hypothesized that hCG may be a placental link for the development of local maternal immunotolerance. For example, hCG-treated endometrial cells induce an increase in T cell apoptosis (dissolution of T cells). These results suggest that hCG may be a link in the development of peritrophoblastic immune tolerance, and may facilitate the trophoblast invasion, which is known to expedite fetal development in the endometrium.[8] It has also been suggested that hCG levels are linked to the severity of morning sickness in pregnant women.[9]

Because of its similarity to LH, hCG can also be used clinically to induce ovulation in the ovaries as well as testosterone production in the testes. As the most abundant biological source is women who are presently pregnant, some organizations collect urine from pregnant women to extract hCG for use in fertility treatment

Front 19

VBAC

Back 19

Vaginal birth after caesarean

refers to the practice of delivering a baby vaginally after a previous baby has been delivered through caesarean section (surgically).[1] According to the American Pregnancy Association, 90% of women who have undergone caesarean deliveries are candidates for VBAC.[2] Approximately 60-80% of women opting for VBAC will successfully give birth vaginally, which is comparable to the overall vaginal delivery rate in the United States in 2010

Front 20

TPAL

Back 20

the T refers to term births (after 37 weeks gestation), the P refers to premature births, the A refers to abortions, and the L refers to living children

one of the methods to provide a quick overview of a female's obstetric history

Front 21

G/P

Back 21

Gravida/Para

Gravida is the number of pregnancies. Whether they're completed is irrelevant.
Para is the number of deliveries. If they're by C-section, they still count, but it's a good idea to make an additional note of that

Front 22

LMP

Back 22

Last menstrual period

Front 23

EDC

Back 23

Estimated date of confinement

The due date or estimated calendar date when a baby will be born

Front 24

EFW

Back 24

Estimated Fetal weight

(Ultrasound)
An estimate of how much the baby weighs (in grams) that is calculated by a mathematical formula using the BPD, HC, AC, and FL. Ultrasound estimated fetal weights are not as accurate as many people believe

Front 25

EFM

Back 25

External fetal monitor

Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) is a common form of monitoring of your baby and contractions during your labor and birth. External fetal monitoring uses two belts: one that uses ultrasound to measure your baby's heart rate and the other is a pressure transducer used to measure your contractions. This prints out onto paper or a computer screen a graphical representation of your baby's heart rate in response to your contractions.

In a low risk patient this type of monitoring should be done for about 15-20 minutes out of every hour during the first stage of labor and five minutes out of 15 minutes in the second stage or pushing phase of labor.

If you are having complications and require medications like epidural anesthesia, pitocin, other medications or if your baby is having a hard time tolerating labor, it may be a reason to do more fetal monitoring.

Since external fetal monitoring uses ultrasound and pressure to get its readings, they may not be as accurate as other forms of monitoring.

Front 26

EDD

Back 26

Expected date of delivery

Also known as due date or EDC

Front 27

CMV

Back 27

Cytomegalovirus

In the United States, about half of pregnant women have never been infected with CMV. About 1% to 4% of these women have a primary (or first) CMV infection during their pregnancy. Most people have no symptoms when they get infected with CMV, but some may have symptoms similar to mononucleosis (mono).

CMV can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her fetus during pregnancy. The virus in the mother’s blood crosses over the placenta and infects the fetus’ blood.

Most babies with congenital (meaning present at birth) CMV infection never have health problems. But in some babies, congenital CMV infection causes health problems that may be apparent at birth or may develop later during infancy or childhood

)
Any of a group of herpes viruses that attack and enlarge epithelial cells. Such viruses also cause a disease of infants characterized by circulatory dysfunction and microcephaly

Front 28

GDM

Back 28

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Gestational diabetes, also known as gestational diabetes mellitus, GDM, or diabetes during pregnancy, is a type of diabetes that only pregnant women get. If a woman gets diabetes when she is pregnant, but never had it before, then she has gestational diabetes.
Normally, your stomach and intestines digest the carbohydrate in your food into a sugar called glucose. Glucose is your body’s main source of energy. After digestion, the glucose moves into your blood to give your body energy.

To get the glucose out of your blood and into the cells of your body, your pancreas makes a hormone called insulin. If you have diabetes, either your body doesn’t make enough insulin, or your cells can’t use it the way they should. Instead, the glucose builds up in your blood, causing diabetes, or high blood sugar.

Gestational diabetes happens in about 5 percent of all pregnancies, or about 200,000 cases a year in the United States.

Front 29

LGA

Back 29

Large for gestational Age

Weight is above the 90th percentile

•At full term, the avarage baby will be about 20 inches (51 cm) long and will weigh approximately 6 to 9 pounds

Front 30

SGA

Back 30

Small for gestational Age

Weight is under the 10th percentile

•At full term, the avarage baby will be about 20 inches (51 cm) long and will weigh approximately 6 to 9 pounds

Front 31

AROM

Back 31

Artifical Rupture of membranes

Someone breaking the amniotic sac (not naturally)

To induce labor or augment uterine activity

This term describes a rupture of the membranes by a third party, usually a midwife or obstetrician in order to induce or accelerate labor

Front 32

SROM

Back 32

Spontaneous Rupture of Membranes

Water breaking naturally

This term describes the normal, spontaneous rupture of the membranes at full term. The rupture is usually at the bottom of the uterus, over the cervix, causing a gush of fluid. This gush may be quite small (such as 50ml), or it can be significantly large (200-300ml) depending upon amount of fluid in the amniotic sac, and to what extent the fetal head is plugging the hole and retaining fluid in the sac

Front 33

AFP

Back 33

Alpha feta-protein

A protein produced by the fetal liver and yolk sac that can be detected in the blood of pregnant women. Alpha-fetoprotein levels rise gradually throughout most of pregnancy and level off near term. Levels apparently higher or lower than normal may indicate the need for further tests. High levels of alpha-fetoprotein are associated with a more advanced pregnancy than expected, multiple pregnancy, fetal death (including a vanished twin), an opening in the spine (spina bifida), an opening in the head (anencephaly), or an opening in the abdominal wall (gastroschisis). Low levels may be associated with Down syndrome, trisomy 18, and some cases of Turner syndrome

Front 34

PROM

Back 34

premature rupture of membranes.

This term describes a rupture of the membranes that occurs before the onset of labor.

Front 35

PPROM

Back 35

preterm, premature rupture of membranes. This term describes a rupture of the membranes that occurs before 37 weeks gestation

Front 36

HELLP

Back 36

H (hemolysis, which is the breaking down of red blood cells),
EL (elevated liver enzymes) and
LP (low platelet count).

life-threatening obstetric complication usually considered to be a variant or complication of pre-eclampsia.[1] Both conditions usually occur during the later stages of pregnancy, or sometimes after childbirth

Front 37

PIH

Back 37

Pregnancy induced hypertension

Gestational hypertension, also referred to sometimes as pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) is a condition of high blood pressure during pregnancy. Gestational hypertension can lead to a serious condition called preeclampsia (also sometimes referred to as toxemia). Hypertension during pregnancy affects about 6-8% of all pregnant women.

Front 38

DIC

Back 38

Disseminated intravascular coagulation

inappropriate coagulation within the blood vessels which leads to the consumption of clotting factors, thus resulting in the failure of the clotting mechanism at the site of bleeding. DIC begins with an event (possibly one of the above) that triggers widespread clotting with the formation of microthrombi throughout the circulation. The clotting factors are then used up. The DIC triggers fibrinolysis ( the breakdown of fibrin occurring as a response to the presence of clotted blood) and FDP production (Fibrin Degradation Products, the products of fibrinolysis). The FDPs reduce the efficiency of normal clotting. (Myles Textbook for Midwives, Bennett and Browne)

So, we have two things happening at once here. First the widespread clotting within vessels in the body (possibly due to the above conditions), then fibrinolysis, the bodies' response to this abnormal clotting by attempting to break up the unneeded clots, which leads to the production of FDPs that further reduce the efficiency of an already gone awry clotting process. (my comments)

If DIC occurs during or after delivery, the reduced level of clotting factors and the presence of FDPs prevent normal hemostasis (arrest of bleeding) at the placental site. FDPs inhibit myometrial action and prevent the uterine muscle from constricting the blood vessels in a normal way. Torrential hemorrhage may be the outcome, and even if clotting does occur, the clot is unstable (due to both Fibrinolysis and FDPs). Microthrombi in the bloodstream may cause circulatory obstruction in the small blood vessels and lead to cyanosis of fingers and toes to CVAs, or organ failure. (Myles Textbook for Midwives, Bennett and Brown)

So, DIC is not just a pregnancy related condition (DIC can occur in non-pregnant men, women and children), but it can become even worse due to the placental site being an open bleeding wound, and that the FDPs are interfering with the normal ligation of the vessels in the site. Also because the placental site is like an open window to the circulation, microthrombi can easily pass into maternal circulatory system, and result in stroke (CVA), organ death, brain death, coma, and death as basically, the vessels are blocked off, and no 02 can get through, or simply due to severe blood loss with shock and then death occurring

rare, life-threatening condition that prevents a person's blood from clotting normally

Front 39

RhoGam

Back 39

medicine given by intramuscular injection that is used to prevent the immunological condition known as Rhesus disease

mother who it negative blood and a baby with positive blood and the mother immune system attacking it

Front 40

ABO

Back 40

ABO incompatibility ??

is a common and generally mild type of haemolytic disease in babies. The term haemolytic disease means that red blood cells are broken down more quickly than usual which can cause jaundice, anaemia and in very severe cases can cause death. During pregnancy, this breakdown of red blood cells in the baby may occur if the mother and baby’s blood types are incompatible and if these different blood types come into direct contact with each other and antibodies are formed.

Significant problems with ABO incompatibility occur mostly with babies whose mothers have O blood type and where the baby is either A or B blood type. Premature babies are much more likely to experience severe problems from ABO incompatibility, while healthy full term babies are generally only mildly affected. Unlike haemolytic disease that can result in subsequent babies when a mother has a negative blood group, ABO incompatibility can occur in first-born babies and does not become more severe in further pregnancies.

To help you understand ABO incompatibility, it is helpful to review the different blood groups. The genes you inherit from your parents determine your blood group. There are four blood types; A, B, AB and O. Each blood type has its own individual collection of chemicals on the blood cell surface known as antigens, so type A has the A antigen, B has the B antigen, AB has both antigens and O contains no antigen. If different blood types mix, an immune response occurs and the person will produce antibodies to attack the foreign blood antigen

Front 41

G/P

Back 41

Gravida/Para

Gravida is the number of pregnancies. Whether they're completed is irrelevant.
Para is the number of deliveries. If they're by C-section, they still count, but it's a good idea to make an additional note of that

Front 42

LMP

Back 42

Last menstrual period

Front 43

EDC

Back 43

Estimated date of confinement

The due date or estimated calendar date when a baby will be born

Front 44

EFW

Back 44

Estimated Fetal weight

(Ultrasound)
An estimate of how much the baby weighs (in grams) that is calculated by a mathematical formula using the BPD, HC, AC, and FL. Ultrasound estimated fetal weights are not as accurate as many people believe

Front 45

EFM

Back 45

External fetal monitor

Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) is a common form of monitoring of your baby and contractions during your labor and birth. External fetal monitoring uses two belts: one that uses ultrasound to measure your baby's heart rate and the other is a pressure transducer used to measure your contractions. This prints out onto paper or a computer screen a graphical representation of your baby's heart rate in response to your contractions.

In a low risk patient this type of monitoring should be done for about 15-20 minutes out of every hour during the first stage of labor and five minutes out of 15 minutes in the second stage or pushing phase of labor.

If you are having complications and require medications like epidural anesthesia, pitocin, other medications or if your baby is having a hard time tolerating labor, it may be a reason to do more fetal monitoring.

Since external fetal monitoring uses ultrasound and pressure to get its readings, they may not be as accurate as other forms of monitoring.

Front 46

EDD

Back 46

Expected date of delivery

Also known as due date or EDC

Front 47

CMV

Back 47

Cytomegalovirus

In the United States, about half of pregnant women have never been infected with CMV. About 1% to 4% of these women have a primary (or first) CMV infection during their pregnancy. Most people have no symptoms when they get infected with CMV, but some may have symptoms similar to mononucleosis (mono).

CMV can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her fetus during pregnancy. The virus in the mother’s blood crosses over the placenta and infects the fetus’ blood.

Most babies with congenital (meaning present at birth) CMV infection never have health problems. But in some babies, congenital CMV infection causes health problems that may be apparent at birth or may develop later during infancy or childhood

)
Any of a group of herpes viruses that attack and enlarge epithelial cells. Such viruses also cause a disease of infants characterized by circulatory dysfunction and microcephaly

Front 48

GDM

Back 48

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Gestational diabetes, also known as gestational diabetes mellitus, GDM, or diabetes during pregnancy, is a type of diabetes that only pregnant women get. If a woman gets diabetes when she is pregnant, but never had it before, then she has gestational diabetes.
Normally, your stomach and intestines digest the carbohydrate in your food into a sugar called glucose. Glucose is your body’s main source of energy. After digestion, the glucose moves into your blood to give your body energy.

To get the glucose out of your blood and into the cells of your body, your pancreas makes a hormone called insulin. If you have diabetes, either your body doesn’t make enough insulin, or your cells can’t use it the way they should. Instead, the glucose builds up in your blood, causing diabetes, or high blood sugar.

Gestational diabetes happens in about 5 percent of all pregnancies, or about 200,000 cases a year in the United States.

Front 49

LGA

Back 49

Large for gestational Age

Weight is above the 90th percentile

•At full term, the avarage baby will be about 20 inches (51 cm) long and will weigh approximately 6 to 9 pounds

Front 50

SGA

Back 50

Small for gestational Age

Weight is under the 10th percentile

•At full term, the avarage baby will be about 20 inches (51 cm) long and will weigh approximately 6 to 9 pounds

Front 51

BPP

Back 51

Bio-physical profile

The biophysical profile combines an ultrasound evaluation with a nonstress test (NST) and is intended to determine fetal health during the third trimester. This test is performed if there is a question about fetal health and well being resulting from either an examination, maternal/fetal symptoms, or if the pregnancy is considered high risk

The BPP measures your baby's heart rate, muscle tone, movement, breathing, and the amount of amniotic fluid around your baby.

A BPP is commonly done in the last trimester of pregnancy. If there is a chance that your baby may have problems during your pregnancy (high-risk pregnancy), a BPP may be done by 32 to 34 weeks or earlier. Some women with high-risk pregnancies may have a BPP test every week or twice a week in the third trimester.

Front 52

PROM

Back 52

Premature rupture of the membranes

is a condition that occurs in pregnancy when there is rupture of the membranes (rupture of the amniotic sac and chorion) more than an hour before the onset of labor. PROM is prolonged when it occurs more than 18 hours before labor. PROM is preterm (PPROM) when it occurs before 37 weeks gestation.[1] Risk factors for PROM can be a bacterial infection, smoking, or anatomic defect in the structure of the amniotic sac, uterus, or cervix. In some cases, the rupture can spontaneously heal, but in most cases of PROM, labor begins within 48 hours. When this occurs, it is necessary that the mother receives treatment to avoid possible infection in the newborn

Front 53

IUGR

Back 53

Intrauterine growth retardation

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) refers to the poor growth of a baby while in the mother's womb during pregnancy. Specifically, it means the developing baby weighs less than 90% of other babies at the same gestational age.


Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Many different things can lead to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). An unborn baby may not get enough oxygen and nutrition from the placenta during pregnancy because of:
•
High altitudes

•
Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.)

•
Placenta problems

•
Preeclampsia or eclampsia


Congenital or chromosomal abnormalities are often associated with below-normal weight. Infections during pregnancy that affect the developing baby, such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, and syphilis may also affect the weight of the developing baby.

Risk factors in the mother that may contribute to IUGR include:
•
Alcohol abuse

•
Clotting disorders

•
Drug addiction

•
High blood pressure or heart disease

•
Kidney disease

•
Poor nutrition

•
Smoking

Front 54

MSAFP

Back 54

Maternal Serum alpha- fetoprotein

is an indicator of the presence of AFP (a plasma protein normally produced by the fetus) in the mother's blood. MSAFP serves as the basis for some valuable tests

Front 55

CVS

Back 55

Chorionic Villus Sampling

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a test done during early pregnancy that can find certain problems with your baby (fetus). It is generally done when either you or the father has a disease that runs in the family (genetic disorder). It may also be done when you are over age 35-being over 35 increases your chance of having a baby with a chromosome defect.

Chorionic villi are tiny finger-shaped growths found in the placenta. The genetic material in chorionic villus cells is the same as that in the baby's cells. During CVS, a sample of the chorionic villus cells is taken for biopsy. The chorionic villus cells are checked for problems. The procedure is generally done late in the first trimester, most often between the 10th and 12th weeks.

The chorionic villus sample can be collected by putting a thin flexible tube (catheter) through the vagina and cervix into the placenta. The sample can also be collected through a long, thin needle put through the belly into the placenta. Ultrasound is used to guide the catheter or needle into the correct spot for collecting the sample.

If you have a family history of certain diseases, CVS can be used to find genetic disorders, such as Tay-Sachs disease or hemophilia. It can also find chromosomal birth defects, such as Down syndrome. CVS cannot find neural tube defects and it cannot be used to see if the baby's lungs are mature.

Chorionic villus sampling can be done earlier in pregnancy (at 10 to 12 weeks) than amniocentesis (usually done at 15 to 20 weeks). This allows you to know the health of your baby and make an earlier decision whether to continue or end the pregnancy. Results of CVS can be available sooner than amniocentesis results.

Front 56

fFN

Back 56

fetal fibronectin

Fetal fibronectin is a protein that acts as a "glue" during pregnancy, attaching the amniotic sac — the fluid-filled membrane that cushions your baby in the uterus — to the lining of the uterus.

Fetal fibronectin is often present in cervical secretions during early pregnancy. Fetal fibronectin also shows up later in pregnancy, about one to three weeks before labor begins. If your health care provider is concerned about preterm labor, he or she may test a swab from your cervical canal for the presence of fetal fibronectin. A positive fetal fibronectin test is a clue that the "glue" has been disturbed and you're at increased risk of preterm labor

Front 57

ROM

Back 57

Rupture of membranes

During pregnancy, your baby is surrounded and cushioned by a fluid-filled membrane called the amniotic sac. At some point before your baby is born, the sac will rupture. This is known as your water breaking or rupture of the membranes.

Front 58

IUPC

Back 58

Intrauterine pressure catheter

The Intrauterine Pressure Catheter (IUPC) is often used in labor induction to help measure the exact force of the contractions during labor. This can help your doctor or midwife determine the amount of pitocin (labor inducing medication) to use. The IUPC may also be used when internal fetal monitoring is used.
To use the IUPC your water must be broken

Front 59

FSE

Back 59

Fetal Scalp electrode

Instrument used to monitor the baby's heartbeat while still in the uterus

A fetal scalp 'clip', or electrode, is a small, circular, corkscrew-shaped needle attached to a coated wire. The clip is covered with a long, protective, flexible, plastic covering and guided up through the mother's vagina by the caregiver doing an internal examination. This procedure should not be any more uncomfortable than a normal vaginal examination. The waters need to be broken to attach an FSE to the baby's head. If they are not already broken, this will need to be done to allow the electrode to be attached.

Front 60

LTV

STV

Back 60

Long term variability

The fetal heart rate has both short-term variability (STV), such as brief changes in reaction to a situation like a contraction, and long-term variability (LTV), such as the heart rate gradually speeding up or slowing down over a longer period of time

Front 61

CPD

Back 61

Cephalopelvic disproportion

Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) occurs when a baby's head or body is too large to fit through the mother’s pelvis. It is believed that true CPD is rare, but many cases of “failure to progress” during labor are given a diagnosis of CPD. When an accurate diagnosis of CPD has been made, the safest type of delivery for mother and baby is a cesarean

Front 62

L/S ratio

Back 62

lecithin–sphingomyelin ratio

The lecithin–sphingomyelin ratio is a marker of fetal lung maturity

test of fetal amniotic fluid to assess for fetal lung immaturity.[1][2][3] Lungs require surfactant, a soap-like substance, to lower the surface pressure of the alveoli in the lungs. This is especially important for premature babies trying to expand their lungs after birth. Surfactant is a mixture of lipids, proteins, and glycoproteins, lecithin and sphingomyelin being two of them. Lecithin makes the surfactant mixture more effective

Front 63

ROM

Back 63

Rupture of membranes

During pregnancy, your baby is surrounded and cushioned by a fluid-filled membrane called the amniotic sac. At some point before your baby is born, the sac will rupture. This is known as your water breaking or rupture of the membranes.

Front 64

IUPC

Back 64

Intrauterine pressure catheter

The Intrauterine Pressure Catheter (IUPC) is often used in labor induction to help measure the exact force of the contractions during labor. This can help your doctor or midwife determine the amount of pitocin (labor inducing medication) to use. The IUPC may also be used when internal fetal monitoring is used.
To use the IUPC your water must be broken

Front 65

PKU

Back 65

phenylketonuria

Girls or women with PKU can have healthy children as long as they are aware of and maintain strict adherence to their low phenylalanine diet throughout their pregnancy. It is well known that women with poorly controlled PKU during a pregnancy put their baby at risk for delayed development, mental retardation, poor head growth (microcephaly), poor overall growth, heart defects, and other structural birth defects. These complications are due to the ability of high levels of phenylalanine and its metabolites to directly cause birth defects and not because the baby has PKU. The closer to normal the mother's phenylalanine level in her blood plasma, the less likely these complications occur. (The blood plasma is the watery part of the blood.)

Front 66

RDS

Back 66

Respiratory distress syndrome

most commonly seen in premature infants. The condition makes it difficult to breathe.

The disease is mainly caused by a lack of a slippery, protective substance called surfactant, which helps the lungs inflate with air and keeps the air sacs from collapsing. This substance normally appears in fully developed lungs

Front 67

NICU

Back 67

neonatal intensive care unit

Front 68

ECMO

Back 68

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

A life support system that circulates the blood through an oxygenating system. ECMO is like a heart-lung machine that takes over the work of the heart and lungs during open heart surgery. ECMO may be used, for example, to treat ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome), lethal smoke inhalation injury, or irreversible heart failure. As a general rule, ECMO is only used for limited time because of the high risks of bleeding, clotting, infection and organ failure

Front 69

BPD

Back 69

Biparietal diameter of fetal head

This is the measurement of a line drawn from ear to ear, through the brain

Front 70

OCT/PIT

Back 70

Oxytocin Challenge Test

The Oxytocin Challenge Test (OCT) or stress test is done at near full term pregnancy to determine how your baby deals with the stress of contractions. Sometimes this is done to determine the health of your baby and others to determine if your baby can handle labor

Oxytocin means "rapid birth." It is a synthetic hormone named for the natural posterior pituitary hormone. It stimulates uterine smooth muscle contractions indirectly and helps expedite the normal contractions of spontaneous labor. As in all significant uterine contractions, there is a transient reduction in uterine blood flow. Oxytocin also stimulates the mammary glands to increase lactation without increasing the production of milk. The drug is administered in the prehospital setting to control postpartum bleeding.

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TAB

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Therapeutic Abortion

a legally induced abortion for medical reasons (as when the mother's life is threatened).

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TORCH

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Toxoplasmosis, other, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes

The TORCH panel is used to screen for certain infectious diseases that can cause birth defects in a baby if the mother contracts them during the pregnancy. The blood tests that make up the panel are for:

Toxoplasmosis
Other infections (syphilis, hepatitis B, coxsackie virus, Epstein-Barr virus, varicella-zoster virus, and human parvovirus)
Rubella
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
Some of these are ordered individually, either before or in early pregnancy; the complete TORCH panel is less commonly ordered since more specific and sensitive tests to detect these infections are available

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SIDS

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Sudden infant death syndrome

sudden death of an infant under one year of age which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation, including performance of a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history

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D&C

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dilation and curettage

Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a brief surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated and a special instrument is used to scrape the uterine lining. Knowing what to expect before, during, and after a D&C may help ease your worries and make the process go more smoothly. Here's what you need to know.

Reasons for a D&C

You may need a D&C for one of several reasons. It's done to:
Remove tissue in the uterus during or after a miscarriage or abortion or to remove small pieces of placenta after childbirth. This helps prevent infection or heavy bleeding.
Diagnose or treat abnormal uterine bleeding. A D&C may help diagnose or treat growths such as fibroids, polyps, or endometriosis, hormonal imbalances, or uterine cancer. A sample of uterine tissue is viewed under a microscope to check for abnormal cells.

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IDM

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Infant of diabetic mother

Today, 3-10% of pregnancies are affected by abnormal glucose regulation and control. Of these cases, 80-88% are related to abnormal glucose control of pregnancy or gestational diabetes mellitus. Of mothers with preexisting diabetes, 35% have been found to have type 1 diabetes mellitus, and 65% have been found to have type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Infants born to mothers with glucose intolerance are at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality related to the following:
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Respiratory distress

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Growth abnormalities (large for gestational age [LGA], small for gestational age [SGA])

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Hyperviscosity secondary to polycythemia

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Hypoglycemia

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Congenital malformations

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Hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and iron abnormalities


These infants are likely to be born by cesarean delivery for many reasons, among which are such complications as shoulder dystocia with potential brachial plexus injury related to the infant's large size. These mothers must be closely monitored throughout pregnancy. If optimal care is provided, the perinatal mortality rate, excluding congenital malformations, is nearly equivalent to that observed in normal pregnancies

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DTR's

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Deep tendon reflexes

•Hyper-reflexia, or exaggerated deep tendon reflexes (the knee-jerk, for instance). Can mean gestational hypertension