Pregnancy & Baby Term Cheat Sheet; Because Sometimes Remembering is Just not an option

Growing and Raising a Baby is one thing, but trying to keep up with all the important terms and definitions that your child’s Doctor and Teachers might use, is definitely another.  With all your focus going to your Little Peanuts, who has time for all the fancy words? Well here I am to save the day, with this pregnancy & baby term cheat sheet coming your way! Whether you are a first time mom/dad, your fifth time around, or an auntie/grandparent who’s trying to keep up, these terms will definitely come in handy!

Pregnancy Terms

Infant/Toddler Terms

PREGNANCY TERMS:

Amniotic Fluid:

This is a liquid that surrounds the baby and protects it while it’s in the uterus. Amniotic fluid is nearly all fetal urine with a small amount of fluid contributed by the lungs. When a woman’s water breaks it is the amniotic fluid that is released, in preparation for the baby’s birth. More Here

Anti-D antibody (Rh sensitization, Rh disease):

A protein made by the immune system that binds to a molecule called the D antigen found on the surface of red blood cells. The D antigen is part of the Rhesus blood group system which consists of several antigens. The antibody hastens removal of the D antigen (and the foreign blood cells) from the body. Anti-D antibody is capable of crossing the placenta and causing SEVERE anemia in the fetus and hemolytic disease of the newborn.

Blood Pregnancy Tests:

Blood tests can be taken slightly earlier than urine tests, but they do take a lot longer. Like urine tests, blood tests detect hCG to confirm a pregnancy.

Bloody Show: 

A light reddish or brown colored mucus that is released from the cervical area. This is just a sign of labor preparation.

Braxton Hicks Contrations:

False labor, or practice contractions which may happen throughout the pregnancy. They do not dilate the cervix, therefore, they are safe and not dangerous. More Here

Breech:

When the baby is in the position of bottom first, instead of head first for birth. More Here

CEPH: 

 cephalic. The position of a baby who is lying head down in the uterus.

Cesarean:

  Commonly referred to as “C-section”. A surgical procedure in delivering the baby. Epidural (pain medicine) is given at this time, and an incision is made in the very low part of the woman’s abdomen. More Here

Contraction:

When the uterus tightens so that the cervix thins and dilates, making way for the baby to go through the birth canal

Conception:

When the egg is available for fertilization and 350 million sperm is released inside or near the woman’s vaginal area, about 200 sperm will reach the egg. Of those 200 sperm, only one will actually penetrate the egg, thus causing conception.

Cramping:

When women become pregnant they soon may feel repeated pains, similar to those during a menstrual cycle. During the second trimester, women can also feel cramping due to the stretching of the abdominal muscles.

Diaphragm:

Muscle which lies across the top of the stomach, under the lungs (active in pushing baby out).

Ectopic Pregnancy: 

a pregnancy which develops somewhere other than the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. The pregnancy must be terminated, as it is dangerous to the mother. More Here

EDD:

Expected Date of Delivery. Also known as Due Date or EDC

Endometrium:

The lining of the uterus, where the embryo gets its nutrients. More Here

Electronic Fetal Monitor:

An instrument used to record the heartbeat of the unborn baby, as well as the mother’s contractions.

ENG:

Engaged. Means that the largest diameter of the baby’s head has passed the pelvic ‘brim’.

Episiotomy: 

A cut made in the perineum (the skin between the vagina and the anus) to enable the baby to be born more quickly. More Here

FASDs: 

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. One of the most severe effects of drinking during pregnancy is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS is one of the leading known preventable causes of mental retardation and birth defects. If a woman drinks alcohol during her pregnancy, her baby can be born with FAS, a lifelong condition that causes physical and mental disabilities. More Here

FET:  Frozen Embryo Transfer:

Embryos cryopreserved from a fresh ivf cycle are thawed and then transferred into the uterus.

Fetus:

Medical term for the baby before it is born, ie when still in the uterus. More Here

Fetal Heart (FH):

You may see ‘FH heard’ or ‘FHH’ on your notes. It means your baby’s heartbeat has been heard.

Fibroids:

Tumors of the muscle wall in the uterus. They are non-cancerous, but can potentially cause miscarriages, trouble in the growth of the baby, and trouble in the delivery. Fibroids are also sometimes painful. More Here

Fetal Movement (FM):

You may see ‘FM felt’ or ‘FMF’ on your notes. It means your baby has been felt to move. More Here

FSH: 

Follicle-stimulating hormone, stimulates the growth and maturation of follicles in the ovary.

Fundus: 

The top of the uterus. The fundal height is the length between the top of the uterus and the pubic bone. This helps date the pregnancy and assess the growth of the baby.

Gestation: 

How far along the fetus is, determined by the beginning of the mother’s last period. Babies are usually born at 40 weeks, but considered full-term from 37 weeks, and extends to 42 weeks. More Help

Gestational Diabetes: 

is when a woman without diabetes, develops high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes generally results in few symptoms; however, it does increase the risk of pre-eclampsia, depression, and requiring a Caesarean section. Babies born to mothers with poorly treated gestational diabetes are at increased risk of being too large, having low blood sugar after birth, and jaundice. If untreated, it can also result in a stillbirth. Long term, children are at higher risk of being overweight and developing type 2 diabetes. More Here

GIFT:

Gamete intrafallopian transfer – A laparoscope is used to place the unfertilized eggs and sperm (gametes) into the woman’s fallopian tubes through small incisions in her abdomen

Haemoglobin (HB):

An indication of iron levels in the blood. If this is too low, this may indicate anaemia.

HCG: 

Human Chorionic Gondaotrophin hormone, detected by pregnancy tests after conception.

Hypertension: 

High Blood Pressure

Hypotension:

Low blood Pressure

ICSI:

A single isolated sperm is drawn up into a specially designed pipette. The pipette is inserted into the egg’s center (the cytoplasm) and the sperm is released. This fertilization technique is used in couples with male factor infertility.

 IUI: 

ntrauterine insemination, sperm is placed within the uterine cavity at the time of ovulation.

IVF:

In Vitro Fertilization

LIE:

The position of the baby in the uterus. You may see ‘Long Lie’ or ‘LL’ which means longitudinal lie (the baby is straight up and down in the uterus).

Monozygotic:

Identical twins occur when a single egg is fertilised to form one zygote (monozygotic) which then divides into two separate embryos.

Multigravida:

A women who has had at least one pregnancy.

Multipara:

Sometimes called ‘multip’. A woman who has given birth at least once before. A ‘grand multipara’ is a woman who has had at least four babies.

 NAD: 

‘Nothing abnormal detected’, written when the doctor or midwife finds no problems.

OHSS:

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome. OHSS is a medical complication that may occur after gonadotropin use as with IVF.

Occipito Anterior:

The back of the baby’s head is towards your front. You may see ‘LOA’ or ‘ROA’ on your notes, which mean ‘left (or right) occipito anterior’. This describes whether the back of the head is towards the left or the right. LOA is usually the best position for a shorter labour and an easier birth.

Occipito Posterior:

The back of the baby’s head is towards your back. ‘LOP’ and ‘ROP’ describe the position as left or right.

Oedema:

Fluid retention, which causes swelling in your ankles, fingers and elsewhere.

Ovulation:

Occurs two weeks, or an average of 14 days, before the beginning of a woman’s period. A woman has a rise in her luteinizing hormone (LH) when the egg is available for fertilization. This is the most probable time frame to get pregnant. More Here

 Palpation:

When the midwife or doctor feels the baby by moving their hands over your abdomen.

Perineum:

The area of skin between the vagina and anus.

PIH:

Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Placenta:

The tissue that connect the mother to the baby. More Here

Placenta Praevia:

(also known as low lying placenta) is a complication of pregnancy, when the placenta is in the lower area of the uterus and covers part or all of the cervix.

Postnatal:

after the birth

Presentation:

The position of the baby, with reference to the ‘presenting part’, that is the body part which will be born first (usually the vertex, or the back of the head).

 Preterm:

Counting from the first day of the woman’s last period, preterm is before 40 weeks.

 Primigravida:

A women pregnant for the first time.

Primipara: 

Sometimes called ‘prim’ or a ‘primip’. A woman giving birth for the first time

Progesterone:

Steroid hormone normally produced by the ovary after ovulation and by the placenta during pregnancy.

Quickening:

The first movements of the baby that you can feel.

Sonogram: 

Also referred to as a ultrasound. Uses sound waves to detect and watch the unborn baby. Sonogram can be used to give an accurate answer to the gestation of the baby.

Spotting: 

Looks like a brown or reddish tinted discharge. Should not be as heavy as a full period. This is when the endometrium (the uterus lining) has started to pull away from the uterus, anticipating a monthly period before realizing that there is a pregnancy.

Suture:

The spaces between the bones in the baby’s head.

Term: 

40 weeks (or thereabouts) from the first day of the last menstrual period.

Tubal Ligation:

a sterilization procedure in which the uterine (Fallopian) tubes are tied and cut.

Trimester:

The word trimester means ‘three months’. The amount of time that pregnancy is broken down into, three periods of three months each.

Ultrasound:

Sometimes referred to as a sonogram. Uses sound waves to detect and watch the unborn baby. Usually an ultrasound can give an accurate answer to the gestation of the baby.

Urine Pregnancy Test:

A pregnancy test that uses urine to find the hormone called Human Chorionic Gondaotrophin, or HCG. Urine Pregnancy tests are taken two weeks after conception, or anytime after a woman misses a period. Most women can find these test an their local drug store.

VE:

Vaginal Examination

Ventouse:

Vacuum extortion

Vertex (VX):

the crown of the Baby’s Head

Zygote intrafallopian transfer:

The woman’s eggs are fertilized in the laboratory and then a laparoscope is used to help transfer the fertilized eggs (zygotes) into her fallopian tubes.

definitions from baby2see.com

INFANT TERMS:

Abnormal:

Outside the expected norm, or uncharacteristic of a particular patient.

Acrocyanosis: 

a bluish discoloration of the newborn’s hands and feet as a result of poor peripheral circulation.

Apgar Score:

an assessment scale used to indicate an overall picture of the newborn’s status.

Bottle-mouth syndrome:

dental caries caused by sugar in the milk or juice; it usually occurs when bottles are given at nighttime.

Cleft Palate: 

incomplete congenital formation and nonunion of the hard palate. More Here

Cognitive Development:

Is a field of study in neuroscience and psychology focusing on a child’s development in terms of information processing, conceptual resources, perceptual skill, language learning, and other aspects of brain development and cognitive psychology compared to an adult’s point of view. In other words, cognitive development is the emergence of the ability to think and understand. More Here

Colic: 

severe, often fluctuating pain in the abdomen caused by intestinal gas or obstruction in the intestines and suffered especially by babies in the first 3 months of life. More Here

Colostrum: 

precursor of breast milk, present as early as the seventh month of fetal life. More Here

Cooing:

speech noises that are similar to vowels, made by newborns and young babies whenever they appear to be relaxed or satisfied.

Deciduous Teeth: 

“baby” or primary teeth, which usually appear at about 6 to 7 months of age.

Dental Caries:

Tooth decay

Dominant Genes:

those genes that are more capable of expressing their traits than are other genes. More Here

Fine Motor Skills: 

(or dexterity) is the coordination of small muscles, in movements—usually involving the synchronization of hands and fingers—with the eyes. The complex levels of manual dexterity that humans exhibit can be attributed to and demonstrated in tasks controlled by the nervous system. More Here

Grasp Reflex: 

A baby will grasp a finger or object when it is placed in the palm of her hand. This reflex is strongest during the first 2 months and usually fades by 5-6 months. 

Gross Motor Skills:

 are the abilities usually acquired during infancy and early childhood as part of a child’s motor development. By the time they reach two years of age, almost all children are able to stand up, walk and run, walk up stairs, etc. These skills are built upon, improved and better controlled throughout early childhood, and continue in refinement throughout most of the individual’s years of development into adulthood. These gross movements come from large muscle groups and whole body movement. These skills develop in a head-to-toe order. The children will typically learn head control, trunk stability, and then standing up and walking. More Here

Infant:

A newborn is, in colloquial use, an infant who is only hours, days, or up to a few weeks old. In medical contexts, newborn or neonate (from Latin, neonatus, newborn) refers to an infant in the first 28 days after birth; the term applies to premature, full term, and postmature infants; before birth, the term “fetus” is used. The term “infant” is typically applied to young children under one year of age; however, definitions may vary and may include children up to two years of age. More Here

intensive care unit

(NICU), until sufficient weight is gained and the infants have matured and are able to thrive without elaborate support systems. Among the problems associated with low birth weight are hypothermia, respiratory distress, hyperbilirubinemia, fluid and electrolyte imbalance, susceptibility to infection, and feeding problems. Very-low-birth-weight newborns and infants are at significant risk for hypothermia because of their small body mass, large surface area, thin skin, minimal subcutaneous tissues, and posture. Thermoregulation is provided through the use of a standard incubator or a radiant warmer. Radiant warmers have the advantage of accessibility for caregivers and improved visibility of the infant. Their chief disadvantage is increased insensible water loss.

Jaundice: 

a yellowish tinge to the skin of the newborn seen in the first 48 to 72 hours after birth. More Here

Large-For-Gestational-age Infant:

a preterm, term, or postterm infant who is above the 90th percentile for gestational age in head circumference, body weight, or length.

Low-Birth-Weight Infant: 

one that weighs less than 2500 grams at birth. This standard is routinely used for infants in developed countries, but infants born in other countries typically weigh less at birth. In India the criterion for normal birth weight is 2150 grams and in Malaysia it is 2000 grams.

Metabolic:

Relating to metabolism, the whole range of biochemical processes that occur within us (or any living organism). Metabolism consists of anabolism (the buildup of substances) and catabolism (the breakdown of substances).

Mongolian Spot: 

a bluish-black, flat, irregularly pigmented area found in the lumbosacral region in darker pigmented infants. More Here

Mouthing Reflexes: 

These reflexes are important for baby’s survival, helping them find the source of food. The sucking and swallowing reflexes are most important. A baby will automatically begin to suck when their mouth or lips are touched. The rooting reflex is when the baby turns his head toward your hand if their cheek is touched. This helps baby find the nipple for feeding. The rooting reflex begins to fade around 4 months.

Neonatal Respiratory Distress syndrome:

is the major cause of death in newborns. Atelectasis can lead to hypoxemia and elevated serum carbon dioxide levels and all the problems related to inadequate gas exchange. Oxygen therapy must be administered with caution because of the danger of retinopathy. More Here

Neonate: 

the newborn or the first 4 weeks of extrauterine life.

Neurological:

Having to do with the nerves or the nervous system as, for example, a neurological exam.

Newborn Infant: 

a human infant from the time of birth through the 28th day of life. At birth, the gestational age as well as birth weight is assessed and the newborn classified accordingly; for example, large for gestational age, preterm (premature), or low birth weight. Called also neonate and newborn.

Pediatrics: 

The field of medicine that is concerned with the health of infants, children, and adolescents; their growth and development; and their opportunity to achieve full potential as adults.

Postmature Infant (postterm infant): 

one born any time after the beginning of the forty-second week (288 days) of gestation.

Premature Infant (preterm infant):

one born before a gestational age of 37 completed weeks (259 days). The duration of gestation is measured from the first day of the last menstrual period and is expressed in completed days or weeks.

Reflex:

An involuntary reaction. For example, the corneal reflex is the blink that occurs upon irritation of the eye.

Rooting Reflex:

 A reflex that is seen in normal newborn babies, who automatically turn the face toward the stimulus and make sucking (rooting) motions with the mouth when the cheek or lip is touched. The rooting reflex helps to ensure successful breastfeeding. More Here

SIDS: 

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: also known as cot death or crib death, is the sudden unexplained death of a child less than one year of age. Diagnosis requires that the death remains unexplained even after a thorough autopsy and detailed death scene investigation.  SIDS usually occurs during sleep.  Typically death occurs between the hours of 00:00 and 09:00.  There is usually no evidence of struggle and no noise produced. More Here

Social Emotional Skills:

Social-emotional development includes the child’s experience, expression, and management of emotions and the ability to establish positive and rewarding relationships with others

Small-for-Gestational age infant: 

a preterm, term, or postterm infant who is below the 10th percentile for gestational age in head circumference, body weight, or length.

Startle Reflex: 

A reflex seen in normal infants in response to a loud noise. The infant makes a sudden body movement, bringing the legs and arms toward the chest.

Stepping Reflex:

Even though baby cannot support his own weight, if his feet are placed on a flat surface, he will begin to step one foot in front of the other. The stepping reflex usually disappears by 2 months.

Term Infant:

one born at a gestational age of 37 to 42 completed weeks (259 to 293 completed days).

Toddler:

A toddler is a child 12 to 36 months old.  The toddler years are a time of great cognitive, emotional and social development. The word is derived from “to toddle”, which means to walk unsteadily, like a child of this age

Tonic Neck Reflex: 

The tonic neck reflex, also known as asymmetric tonic neck reflex or ‘fencing posture’ is present at one month of age and disappears at around four months. When the child’s head is turned to the side, the arm on that side will straighten and the opposite arm will bend (sometimes the motion will be very subtle or slight). If the infant is unable to move out of this position or the reflex continues to be triggered past six months of age, the child may have a disorder of the upper motor neurons. According to researchers, the tonic neck reflex is a precursor to the hand/eye coordination of the infant. It also prepares the infant for voluntary reaching.

Very-Low-Birth-weight-Infant: 

one that weighs less than 1000 grams at birth. Patient Care. Low-birth-weight and very-low-birth-weight infants require special care and support, preferably in a neonatal

Weaning: 

accustom (an infant or other young mammal) to food other than its mother’s milk.

Info from here