A-Z of Pregnancy Terms

A-E  |  F-I  |  J-P  |  Q-Z

J

Jaundice: Yellow staining of the skin, sclera (eyes) and deeper tissues of the body. Caused by excessive amounts of bilirubin. Treated with phototherapy.

K

Ketones: Breakdown product of metabolism found in the blood, particularly in starvation or uncontrolled diabetes.

Kidney stones: Small mass or lesion found in the kidney or urinary tract. Can block the flow of urine.

L

Laaoo: Process of expelling a fetus from the uterus.

Laparoscopy: Minor surgical procedure performed for tubal ligation, diagnosis of pelvic pain or diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.

Leukorrhea: Vaginal discharge characterized by a white or yellowish colour. Primarily composed of mucus.

Lightening: Change in the shape of the pregnant uterus a few weeks before labour. Often described as the baby "dropping."

Linea nigra: line of increased pigmentation running down the abdomen from the bellybutton to the pubic area during pregnancy.

M

Malignant GTN: Cancerous change of gestational trophoblastic disease.

Mammogram: X-ray study of the breasts to identify normal and abnormal breasttissue.

Mask of pregnancy: Increased pigmentation over the area of the face under each eye. Commonly has the appearance of a butterfly.

Meconium: First intestinal discharge of the newborn; green or yellow in colour. It consists of epithelial or surface cells, mucus and bile. Discharge may occur before or during labour or soon after birth.

Melanoma: Pigmented mole or tumor. It may or may not be cancerous.

Meningomyelocele: Congenital defect of the central nervous system of the baby. Membranes and the spinal cord protrude through an opening or defect in the vertebral column.

Menstruation: Regular or Periodic discharge of a bloody fluid from the uterus.

Mesodermal germ layer: Tissue of the embryo that forms connective tissue, muscles, kidneys, ureters and other organs.

Metaplasia: Change in the structure of a tissue into another type that is not normal for that tissue.

Microcephaly: Abnormally small development of the head in the developing fetus.

Microphthalmia: Abnormally small eyeballs.

Miscarriage: See Abortion.

Missed abortion: Failed pregnancy without bleeding or cramping. Often diagnosed by ultrasound weeks or months after a pregnancy fails.

Mittelschmerz: Pain that coincides with release of an egg from the ovary.

Monilial vulvovaginitis: Infection caused by yeast or monilia. Usually affects the vagina and vulva.

Monozygotic twins: Twins conceived from one egg. Often called identical twins.

Morning sickness: Nausea and vomiting, with ill health, found primarily during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Moruaa: Cells resulting from the early division of the fertilized egg at the beginning of pregnancy.

Mucus plug: Secretions in cervix; often released just before labour.

Mutations: Change in the character of a gene. Passed from one cell division to another.

N

Neural-tube defects: Abnormalities in the development of the spinal cord and brain in a fetus. See Anencephaly; Hydrocephalus; Spina bifida.

O

Oligohydramnios: Lack or deficiency of amniotic fluid.

Omphalocele: Presence of congenital outpouching of the umbilicus containing internal organs in the fetus or newborn infant.

Organogenesis: Development of the organ systems in the embryo.

Ossification: Bone formation.

Ovarian cycle: Regular production of hormones from the ovary in response to hormonal messages from the brain. The ovarian cycle governs the endometrial cycle.

Ovulation: Cyclic production of an egg from the ovary.

Oxytocin: Medication that causes uterine contractions.

P

Pap smear: A Routine screening test that evaluates presence of premalignant or cancerous conditions of the cervix.

Paracenrical block: local anesthetic for cervical dilatation.

Pelvimetry: Evaluation of the size of the birth canal or pelvis. Performed by X-ray.

Petit mal seizure: Attack of a brief nature with possible short impairment of consciousness. Often associated with blinking or flickering of the eyelids and a mild twitching of the mouth.

Phosphatidyl glycerol: lipoprotein present when fetal lungs are mature.

Phospholipids: Fat-containing phosphorous. The most important are lecithins and sphingomyelin, which are important in the maturation of fetal lungs before birth.

Physiologic anemia of pregnancy: Anemia during pregnancy caused by an increase in the amount of plasma (fluid) in the blood compared to the number of cells in the blood.

Placenta: Organ inside the uterus that is attached to the baby by the umbilical cord. Essential during pregnancy for growth and development of the embryo and fetus. Also called afterbirth.

Placenta accreta: Placenta that attaches to muscle of uterus.

Placenta increta: Placenta that grows into muscle of uterus.

Placenta percreta: Placenta that penetrates muscle of uterus.

Placenta previa: low attachment of the placenta, covering or very close to the cervix.

Placental abruption: Premature separation of the placenta from the uterus.

Placentamegaly: Abnormally large growth of the placenta during pregnancy.

Pneumonitis: Inflammation of the lungs.

Premature baby: Baby born before 38 weeks.

Postnatal blues: Mild depression after delivery. Postpartum depression-Depression after delivery.

Postpartum hemorrhage: Bleeding greater than 15 ounces (450ml) at time of delivery. Pre-eclampsia-Combination of symptoms significant to pregnancy, including high blood pressure, edema, swelling and changes in reflexes.

Premature delivery: Delivery before 38 weeks gestation. Presentation-Describes which part of the baby comes into the birth canal first.

Proteinuria: Protein in urine.

Pruritis gravidarum: Itching during pregnancy.

Pubic symphysis: Bony prominence in the pelvic bone found in the midline. Landmark from which the doctor often measures during pregnancy to follow growth of the uterus.

Pulmonary embolism: Blood clot from another part of the body that travels to the lungs. Can cause closed passages in the lungs and decrease oxygen exchange.

Pyelonephritis: Serious kidney infection.

Continued on Next Page: Q-Z Pregnancy Terms