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What does this mean? Glossary

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What does this mean? Glossary

Amniocentesis A test usually done between 15 - 20 weeks of pregnancy.  A needle is inserted through the stomach to remove a small amount of amniotic fluid.  This is a fluid that contains cells from the developing baby for testing.  Ultrasound is used to guide the needle.  The procedure if safe with little risk to your baby6.
Antenatal The time from when you become pregnant, until you go into labour14.
Areola The coloured area around the nipple.
Braxton Hicks contractions Mild, irregular contractions, which occur as the uterus gets into practice during the weeks leading up to the birth18.
Breech Where the baby is positioned head up to be born bottom first or with one or both feet first.  Breech positioning is relatively uncommon17.
Caesarean / C-section Caesarean or C-section is the delivery of a baby through an abdominal cut rather than through the vagina10.
Colostrum This is the milky fluid secreted from the breasts soon after birth which is very concentrated and contains antibodies and anti-infective agents to protect your baby.  Some women notice that a little colostrum leaks from their breasts during pregnancy16.
Conception The act of becoming pregnant; fertilisation of an ovum (egg) by a sperm.
Contractions Tightening of the muscles in the wall of the uterus to push the baby down through the vagina during childbirth9.
Cervix The entrance to the uterus, the lower section of the uterus, which widens during childbirth to allow the baby to come out11. 
Dilated The amount the cervix has opened in preparation for childbirth, dilation is measured in centimetres.  'Fully dilated' means you're at 10 centimetres and are ready to push17.
Deli meats Processed meats such as hot dogs and deli meats like kabana and salami.  Fish that are high in mercury, including shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish13.
Embryo The baby is called this in the early stages of development, before 8 weeks4.
Epidural Type of pain medication that is injected around the spinal cord during labour, which causes numbness in the lower body8.
Foetus The name used for the unborn baby from the end of the 8th week until birth2.
Faeces Poo
Incontinence Uncontolled leakage from your bladder or bowel
Induce Sometimes it is necessary to medically help your body begin the process of labour, this is called induction14.
Placenta Organ inside the uterus that is attached to the baby by the umbilical cord.  The placenta feeds the baby whilst it is in your stomach3.
Labour Labour is the birth of a child12.
Lactation The process of milk production.  Milk is secreted by the mammary glands, which are located within the fatty tissue of the breast.  A hormone, oxytocin, is produced in response to the upcoming birth of a new baby.  The hormone starts contractions and begins the lactation process.  For the first few hours of breast-feeding, a special fluid called colostrum is delivered, which is especially high in nutrients, fats, and antibodies to protect the newborn from infection.  After a few hours the hormones control the amount of milk produced for the whole time you breast-feed5.
Miscarriage The spontaneous loss of a baby before it has developed enough to survive in the outside world7.
Obstetrician A doctor who is a specialist in maternity care as well as women's reproductive health14.
Oestrogen A female hormone produced by the ovaries.  It has a number of functions such as promoting the development and maintenance of female reproductive structures and stimulating the milk producing glands in the breasts.
Pasteurised Pasteurisation eliminates bacteria from foods.  Most of the milk and yogurt you buy in the grocery store is pasteurised.  This is what you want during pregnancy.
Postnatal The period of time after the birth14.
Progesterone A hormone which, among other things, is involved in stimulating the milk producing glands in the breasts.
Soft cheeses Soft (often advertised as 'fresh') cheeses are feta, goats cheese, Brie, Camembert, and blue cheese13.
Trimester One of the three periods of approximately 3 months each into which pregnancy is divided.
Ultrasound A medical imaging technique used to visualise a foetus during routine pregnancy care.
Umbilical cord The cord that carries blood, oxygen and nutrients to the baby from the placenta during pregnancy17.
Uterus The uterus is a hollow pear-shaped muscle in which the baby grows throughout pregnancy.  Also called 'the womb'14.
Waterbirth A birth that takes place in a birthing tub that has a controlled temperature17.
Womb Refers to uterus.