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Here are a list of a-z of some pregnancy terms you may hear
while you are pregnant and some you will never hear of.
E
- EDC (estimated date of confinement): Anticipated due date for delivery of
the baby. Calculated from the first day of the last Period.
- Eclampsia: Convulsions and coma in a woman with pre-eclampsia. Not related
to epilepsy.
- Ectodermal germ layer: layer in the developing embryo that gives rise to
developing structures in the fetus. These include skin, teeth and glands of
the mouth, the nervous system and the pituitary gland.
- Ectopic pregnancy: Pregnancy that occurs outside the uterine cavity.
- Effacement: Thinning of cervix.
- Embryo: Organism in the early stages of development.
- Embryonic period: First 10 weeks of gestation.
- Endodermal germ layer: Area of tissue in early development of the embryo
that gives rise to other structures. These include the digestive tract,
respiratory organs, vagina, bladder and urethra. Also called endoderm or
entoderm.
- Endometrial cycle: Regular development of the mucous membrane lining the
inside of the uterus. It begins with the preparation for acceptance of a
pregnancy and ends with the shedding of the lining during a menstrual
period.
- Endometrium: Mucous membrane that lines inside of the uterine wall.
Enema--Fluid injected into the rectum for the purpose of clearing out the
bowel.
- Engorgement: Congested; filled with fluid.
- Enzyme: Protein made by cells. It acts as a catalyst to improve or cause
chemical changes in other substances.
- Epidural block: Type of anesthesia. Medication is injected around the spinal
cord during labour or other types of surgery.
- Episiotomy: Surgical incision of the vulva (area behind the vagina, above the
rectum). Used during delivery to avoid tearing or laceration of the vaginal
opening and rectum.
F
- Face presentation: Baby comes into the birth canal face first.
- Fallopian tube: Tube that leads from the cavity of the uterus to the area of
the ovary. Also called uterine tube.
- False labour: Tightening of uterus without dilatation of the cervix.
- Fasting blood sugar: Blood test to evaluate the amount of sugar in the blood
following a time period of fasting.
- Fertilization: Joining of the sperm and egg.
- Fertilization age: Dating a pregnancy from the time of fertilization. 2
weeks earlier than the gestational age.
- Fetal anomaly: Fetal malformation or abnormal development.
- Fetal goiter: Enlargement of the thyroid in the fetus.
- Fetal-growth retardation (IUGR): Inadequate growth of the fetus during
the last stages of pregnancy.
- Fetal monitor: Device used before or during labour to listen to and record
the fetal heartbeat. Can be external monitoring (through maternal abdomen)
or internal monitoring (through maternal vagina) of the baby inside the
uterus.
- Fetal period: Time period following the embryonic period (first 10 weeks of
gestation) until birth.
- Fetus: Refers to the unborn baby after 10 weeks of gestation until birth.
- Forceps: Instrument used to help remove baby from the birth canal during
delivery.
- Genetic counseling: Consultation between a couple and a specialist about
genetic defects and the possibility of genetic problems in a pregnancy.
- Genital herpes simplex: Herpes simplex infection involving the genital area.
It can be significant during pregnancy because of the danger to a newborn
fetus infected with herpes simplex.
- Genitourinary problems: Defects or problems involving genital organs and
the bladder or kidneys.
- Gestational age: Dating a pregnancy from the first day of the last menstrual
period; 2 weeks longer than fertilization age.
- Gestational diabetes: Occurrence or worsening of diabetes during
pregnancy (gestation).
- Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTN): Abnormal pregnancy with cystic
growth of the placenta. Characterized by bleeding during early and middle
pregnancy.
- Glucose-tolerance test: Blood test done to evaluate the body's response to
sugar.
- Glucosuria: Glucose in the urine.
- Gonorrhea: Contagious venereal infection, transmitted primarily by
intercourse. Caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhea.
- Grand mal seizure: loss of control of body functions. Seizure activity of a
major form.
- Group-B streptococcal infection: Serious infection occurring in the mother's
vagina and throat.
- Gyri: Prominent, rounded elevation found on the surface of the brain tissue.
H
- Heartburn: Discomfort or pain that occurs in the chest. Often occurs after
eating.
- Hematocrit: Determines the proportion of blood cells to plasma. Important
in diagnosing anemia.
- Hemoglobin: Pigment in red blood cell that carries oxygen to body tissues.
- Hemolytic disease: Destruction of red blood cells.
- Hemorrhoids: Dilated blood vessels in the rectum or rectal canal.
- Human chorionic gonadatropin (HCG): Hormone produced in early
pregnancy.Measured in a pregnancy test.
- Human placental lactogen: Hormone of pregnancy produced by the placenta.
Found in the bloodstream.
- Hyaline membrane disease: Respiratory disease of the newborn.
- Hydramnios: Increased amniotic fluid.
- Hydrocephalus: Excessive accumulation of fluid around the brain of the
baby. Sometimes called water on the brain.
- Hyperbilirubinemia: Extremely high level of bilirubin in the blood.
- Hyperemesis gravidarum: Severe nausea, dehydration and vomiting during
pregnancy. Occurs most frequently during the first trimester.
- Hyperglycemia: Increased blood sugar.
- Hypertension: Pregnancy-induced-High blood pressure that occurs during
pregnancy. Defined by an increase in the diastolic and/or systolic blood
pressure.
- Hyperthyroidism: Elevation of the thyroid hormone in the bloodstream.
- Hypoplasia: Defective or incomplete development or formation of tissue.
- Hypotension: Low blood pressure.
- Hypothyroidism: Low or inadequate levels of thyroid hormone in the
bloodstream.
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Article written By Michlle Graham
http://www.brahoo.co.uk
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