Pregnancy glossary
The medical terms you hear in pregnancy and birth, explained in plain language from trusted medical sources.
- Fetal lung maturity steroidsAntenatal corticosteroids
- Steroid injections given to the mother to accelerate the development of the fetal lungs when premature birth is expected.
- Amniotic fluidWater (amniotic sac)
- The clear, slightly yellowish liquid that surrounds and protects your baby inside the womb.
- Mucus plugCervical plug
- A thick collection of mucus that seals the cervical canal throughout pregnancy to protect your baby from bacteria.
- Labor inductionInducing labor
- The use of medications or medical techniques to stimulate uterine contractions and start labor before it begins spontaneously.
- False laborBraxton Hicks contractions
- Irregular uterine contractions that prepare your body for real labor without causing the cervix to dilate.
- MeconiumFirst stool
- The thick, sticky, dark greenish-black substance that forms your baby's first stool.
- Placenta previaLow-lying placenta
- A condition in which the placenta implants in the lower part of the uterus, partially or completely covering the cervix.
- PreeclampsiaPregnancy-induced hypertension
- A serious medical condition associated with high blood pressure and protein in the urine during pregnancy.
- Cervical cerclageCervical stitch
- A surgical procedure in which stitches are placed in the cervix to keep it closed and prevent premature birth.
- ColostrumFirst milk
- The first nutrient-rich milk produced by your breasts in late pregnancy and the first few days after birth.
- Gestational diabetes
- A type of diabetes that develops only during pregnancy and leads to high blood sugar levels.
- EpisiotomyPerineotomy
- A small surgical incision made in the area between the vagina and the anus to enlarge the vaginal opening during birth.
- GBS screeningGroup B Strep test
- A routine swab to check for a common type of bacteria that is harmless to you but can be passed to your baby during birth.
- NIPT testNon-Invasive Prenatal Testing
- A safe blood test given to the mother to screen for fetal DNA and analyze the likelihood of certain genetic conditions.
- MelasmaMask of pregnancy
- Dark patches that appear on the skin, especially the face, due to hormonal changes during pregnancy.