Maternity Care Glossary

Fine, soft hair covering the fetus and newborn, typically shed before or shortly after birth.

A series of four systematic palpation techniques used to assess fetal position and presentation during pregnancy.

The descent of the fetal presenting part into the pelvis, typically occurring 2-4 weeks before labor in first pregnancie...

Vaginal discharge containing blood, mucus, and uterine tissue following childbirth.

Fetal overgrowth resulting in birth weight exceeding normal parameters for gestational age.

Any fetal presentation other than vertex (head-down) during labor and delivery.

The first intestinal discharge of a newborn, composed of materials ingested during fetal development.

Neonatal respiratory distress caused by inhalation of meconium-stained amniotic fluid.

The first occurrence of menstruation in a female, typically occurring during puberty.

The overlapping of fetal skull bones during passage through the birth canal, creating a temporarily elongated head shape...

Measurement of uterine contraction strength calculated by multiplying intensity by frequency over ten minutes.

A woman who has given birth to more than one viable infant.

Non-stress test; a prenatal monitoring procedure that records fetal heart rate patterns in response to fetal movement.

An ultrasound measurement of fluid behind the fetal neck used for chromosomal abnormality screening.

Abnormally low levels of amniotic fluid during pregnancy.

A congenital abdominal wall defect where abdominal organs protrude through the umbilical cord opening, covered by a memb...

Assisted vaginal delivery using instruments such as forceps or vacuum extraction to facilitate birth.

Antepartum fetal surveillance test using synthetic oxytocin to evaluate fetal response to uterine contractions.

The number of pregnancies carried to viable gestational age, typically 20 weeks or more.

Having given birth to one or more viable offspring.

A standardized chart used to record and monitor the progress of labor, including cervical dilation, fetal descent, and m...

Craving and consumption of non-food substances during pregnancy, such as starch, ice, or dirt.

A condition where the placenta partially or completely covers the cervical opening (cervical os).

Premature separation of a normally implanted placenta from the uterine wall before delivery.