Pregnancy Glossary N - S
N
NAD
Nothing abnormal detected (eg in urine test) - used on notes.
Non Stress Tests
Measurement of the foetal heart rate's response to movement by an external foetal monitor
Nuchal transluscency screen
High Definition ultrasound test to measure fluid filled area behind baby's neck to test for the risk of Downs Syndrome
O
Obstetrician
Hospital based doctor specialising in the care of women during pregnancy and labour.
Obstructed Labour
Term used when some mechanism has prevented the normal, steady progress of the labour and birth of the baby.
Oedema
Term used for fluid or water retention
Oestrogen
Female hormone responsible for growth of the uterine muscle during pregnancy, and for development of the milk glands in the breasts.
Operculum
Medical term for the plug of mucus that seals the cervix, the entrance to the womb, during pregnancy
Overdue
The average pregnancy lasts 40 weeks and you can be said to be overdue if you exceed this
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain. It makes the womb muscles contract strongly during labour, and is sometimes given in its synthetic form (Syntocin) to induce labour and delivery
P
Pain Relief
Conventional forms of pain relief are Entonox (gas and air), Pethidine and Epidural. Alternative forms include: TENS, Acupuncture, Hypnosis and Massage.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Exercising of the pelvic floor muscles before and after childbirth is important to avoid a prolapse womb later in life
Pelvimetry
The assessment, by examination usually made by obstetrician, of the bony birth outlet, sometime before the 37th week of pregnancy.
Perinatal Period
Stage of newborn baby
Perineum
Area between vagina and anus.
Pessary
Tablet inserted into vagina for medicinal purposes, ie. Progesterone for softening the cervix to bring on labour
Pethidine
Pain relief used during labour given as an intra-muscular injection
Pica
Term used to describe unusual food cravings during pregnancy
Placenta
Organ through which foetus receives oxygen and nutrients in the womb.
Placenta Praevia
Condition where the placenta is situated very close to, or lies across the cervix which can mean that the baby has to be born by caesarean section.
Pregnancy Pillow
Specially designed pillow to aid restful and supportive sleep during pregnancy
Posterior Presentation
The foetus is facing the mother's belly instead of her back
Post-mature Pregnancy
A pregnancy lasting more than 42 weeks of gestation
Postpartum
After birth
Pre-eclampsia
Potentially serious pregnancy problem. Symptoms can include: rise in blood pressure; sudden weight gain; protein in urine, and oedema (swelling of tissues due to fluid retention).
Pregna
Testing purpose
Primigravida
Woman pregnant for the first time
Progesterone
Female sex hormone essential in pregnancy for the continuing life in the womb
Prolactin
Hormone secreted by the pituitary gland to stimulate the production of milk in the breasts after birth
Pudendal Block
Injection of local anaesthetic, given prior to some forms of assisted delivery
Q
Quickening
First movements of the unborn baby felt by mother.
R
Registrar
Hospital doctor.
Retained Placenta
Where the placenta (after birth) remains in the uterus for over one hour this is said to be 'retained' and action is usually taken to remove it.
Rh titre
A blood test for checking the Rh antibody status
Rhesus anti-d gamma globulin injection
Given at 28 weeks to Rh negative women or at the time of an amniocentesis to prevent the development of antibodies which could be harmful to the baby
S
Shared Care
Term for antenatal care that is split between your hospital and your community health centre.
Shirodkar Stitch
Stitch used to keep the cervix closed during pregnancy in cases of cervical incompetence
Stretch Marks
Reddish or purplish marks on the skin caused by rapid stretching of the tissues beneath the skin. It is believed that stretch marks may be reduced by keeping the skin supple during pregnancy.
Supplements
Vitamins and minerals selected to help you meet the need for added nutrients during pregnancy to ensure healthy foetal development.
Sweep
Artificial means of inducing labour
Syntometrine
Syntocinon or Syntometrine is routinely given during the third stage of labour to reduce the risk of excessive blood loss
