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MDAdvice.com Home > Health Library > Your Pregnancy: Week by Week > First Week > Contents > Final Week

abruptio placenta. See placental abruption.

acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Debilitating and frequently fatal illness that affects the bodyÆs ability to respond to infection. Caused by the human immune deficiency virus (HIV).

aerobic exercise. Exercise that increases your heart rate and causes you to consume oxygen.

afterbirth. See placenta.

alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Substance produced by the unborn baby as it grows inside the uterus. Large amounts of AFP are found in the amniotic fluid. Larger-than-normal amounts are found in the maternal bloodstream if neural-tube defects are present in the fetus.

alveoli. Ends of the ducts of the lung.

amino acids. Substances that act as building blocks in the developing embryo and fetus.

amniocentesis. Removal of amniotic fluid from the amniotic sac. Fluid is tested for some genetic defects.

amnion. Membrane around the fetus. It surrounds the amniotic cavity.

amniotic fluid. Liquid surrounding the baby inside the amniotic sac.

amniotic sac. Sac that surrounds baby inside the uterus. It contains the baby, the placenta and the amniotic fluid.

ampulla. Dilated opening of a tube or duct.

anemia. Any condition in which the number of red blood cells is less than normal. Term usually applies to the concentration of the oxygen-transporting material in the blood, which is the red blood cell.

anencephaly. Defective development of the brain combined with the absence of the bones normally surrounding the brain.

angioma. Tumor, usually benign, or swelling composed of lymph and blood vessels.

anovulatory. Lack of or cessation of ovulation.

anti-inflammatory medications. Drugs to relieve pain or inflammation.

areola. Pigmented or colored ring surrounding the nipple of the breast.

arrhythmia. Irregular or missed heartbeat.

aspiration. Swallowing or sucking a foreign body or fluid, such as vomit, into an airway.

asthma. Disease marked by recurrent attacks of shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Often caused by an allergic reaction.

atonic uterus. Flaccid; relaxed; lack of tone.

autoantibodies. Antibodies that attack parts of your body or your own tissues.

back labor. Pain of labor felt in lower back.

beta-adrenergics. Substances that interfere with transmission of stimuli. They affect the autonomic nervous system.

bilirubin. Breakdown product of pigment formed in the liver from hemoglobin during the destruction of red blood cells.

biophysical profile. Method of evaluating a fetus before birth.

biopsy. Removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic study.

birthing center. Facility in which a woman labors, delivers and recovers in the same room. It may be part of a hospital or a freestanding unit.

blastomere. One of the cells the egg divides into after it has been fertilized.

bloody show. Small amount of vaginal bleeding late in pregnancy; often precedes labor.

board certification. Doctor has had additional training and testing in a particular specialty. In the area of obstetrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists offers this training. Certification requires expertise in care of a pregnant woman.

Braxton-Hicks contractions. Irregular, painless tightening of uterus during pregnancy.

breech presentation. Abnormal position of the fetus. Buttocks or legs come into the birth canal ahead of the head.

cataract, congenital. Cloudiness of the eye lens present at birth.

cell antibodies. See autoantibodies.

Cesarean section (delivery). Delivery of a baby through an abdominal incision rather than through the vagina.

ChadwickÆs sign. Dark-blue or purple discoloration of the mucosa of the vagina and cervix during pregnancy.

chemotherapy. Treatment of disease by chemical substances or drugs.

chlamydia. Sexually transmitted venereal infection.

chloasma. Extensive brown patches of irregular shape and size on the face or other parts of the body.

chorion. Outermost fetal membrane found around the amnion.

chorionic villus sampling. Diagnostic test done early in pregnancy. A biopsy of tissue is taken from inside the uterus through the cervical opening to determine abnormalities of pregnancy.

cleft palate. Defect in the palate, the part of the upper jaw or mouth.

colostrum. Thin, yellow fluid, which is the first milk to come from the breast. Most often seen toward the end of pregnancy. It is different in content from milk produced later during nursing.

condyloma acuminatum. Skin tags or warts that are sexually transmitted. Also called venereal warts.

congenital problem. Problem present at birth.

conization of the cervix. Surgical procedure performed on premalignant and

malignant conditions of the cervix. A large biopsy of the cervix is taken in the shape of a cone.

conjoined twins. Twins connected at the body; they may share vital organs. Also called Siamese twins.

constipation. Bowel movements are infrequent or incomplete.

contraction stress test. Response of fetus to uterine contractions to evaluate fetal well-being.

corpus luteum. Area in the ovary where the egg is released at ovulation. A cyst may form in this area after ovulation. Called a corpus luteum cyst.

crown-to-rump length. Measurement from the top of the babyÆs head (crown) to the buttocks of the baby (rump).

cystitis. Inflammation of the bladder.

cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Group of viruses from the herpes virus family.

D&C (dilatation and curettage). Surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated and the lining of the uterus is scraped.

developmental delay. Condition in which the development of the baby or child is slower than normal.

diastasis recti. Separation of abdominal muscles.

diethylstilbestrol (DES). Non-steroidal synthetic estrogen. Used in the past to try to prevent miscarriage.

dizygotic twins. Twins derived from two different eggs. Often called fraternal twins.

dysuria. Difficulty or pain urinating.

EDC (estimated date of confinement). Anticipated due date for delivery of the baby. Calculated from the first day of the last period counting forward 280 days.

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.

electroencephalogram. Recording of the electrical activity of the brain.

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 labor 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.

estimated date of confinement. See EDC.

exotoxin. Poison or toxin from a source outside the body.

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 labor. 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.

ferrous gluconate. Iron supplement.

ferrous sulfate. Iron supplement.

fertilization. Joining of the sperm and egg.

fertilization age. Dating a pregnancy from the time of fertilization. 2 weeks shorter than the gestational age.

fetal anomaly. Fetal malformation or abnormal development.

fetal arrhythmia. See arrhythmia.

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 labor 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.

fibrin. Elastic protein important in the coagulation of blood.

forceps. Instrument used to help remove baby from the birth canal during delivery.

frank breech. Baby presenting buttocks first. Legs are flexed and knees extended.

fraternal twins. See dizygotic twins.

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 becoming infected with herpes simplex.

genitourinary problems. Defects or problems involving genital organs and the bladder or kidneys.

germ layers. Layers or areas of tissue important in the development of the baby.

gestational age. Dating a pregnancy from the first day of the last menstrual period; 2 weeks longer than fertilization age. See 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.

globulin. Family of proteins from plasma or serum of the blood.

glucose-tolerance test. Blood test done to evaluate the bodyÆs response to sugar. Blood is drawn at intervals following ingestion of a sugary substance.

glucosuria. Glucose in the urine.

gonorrhea. Contagious venereal infection, transmitted primarily by intercourse.

grand mal seizure. Loss of control of body functions. Seizure activity of a major form.

group-B streptococcal infection. Serious infection occurring in the motherÆs vagina and throat.

habitual abortion. Occurrence of three or more spontaneous miscarriages.

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. See anemia.

hemorrhoids. Dilated blood vessels in the rectum or rectal canal.

heparin. Medication used to thin the blood.

HomanÆs sign. Pain caused by flexing the toes when a person has a blood clot in the lower leg.

human chorionic gonadatropin. 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.

hydatidiform mole. See gestational trophoblastic disease.

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.

identical twins. See monozygotic twins.

immune globulin preparation. Substance used to protect against infection with certain diseases, such as hepatitis or measles.

in utero. Within the uterus.

incompetent cervix. Cervix that dilates painlessly, without contractions.

incomplete miscarriage. Miscarriage in which part, but not all, of the uterine contents are expelled.

inevitable miscarriage. Pregnancy complicated with bleeding and cramping. Usually results in miscarriage.

insulin. Peptide hormone made by the pancreas. It promotes the use of glucose.

intrauterine-growth retardation (IUGR). See fetal-growth retardation.

iodides. Medications made up of negative ion of iodine.

iron-deficiency anemia. Anemia produced by lack of iron in the diet. Often seen in pregnancy. See anemia.

isoimmunization. Development of specific antibody directed at the red

blood cells of another individual, such as a baby in utero. Often occurs when an Rh-negative woman carries an Rh-positive baby or is given Rh-positive blood.

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

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.

labor. 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 color. Primarily composed of mucus.

lightening. Change in the shape of the pregnant uterus a few weeks before labor. Often described as the baby ôdropping.ö

linea nigra. Line of increased pigmentation running down the abdomen from the bellybutton to the pubic area during pregnancy.

malignant GTN. Cancerous change of gestational trophoblastic disease. See gestational trophoblastic disease.

mammogram. X-ray study of the breasts to identify normal and abnormal breast tissue.

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

McDonald cerclage. Surgical procedure performed on an incompetent cervix. A drawstring-type suture holds the cervical opening closed during pregnancy. See incompetent cervix.

meconium. First intestinal discharge of the newborn; green or yellow in color. It consists of epithelial or surface cells, mucus and bile. Discharge may occur before or during labor 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.

menstrual age. See gestational age.

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. Termination or end of pregnancy. Giving birth to an embryo or fetus before it can live outside the womb, usually defined as before 20 weeks of gestation.

missed miscarriage. 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.

molar pregnancy. See gestational trophoblastic disease.

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. Also see hyperemesis gravidarum.

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

mucus plug. Secretions in cervix; often released just before labor.

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

neural-tube defects. Abnormalities in the development of the spinal cord and brain in a fetus. See anencephaly; hydrocephalus; spina bifida.

nurse-midwife. Nurse who has received extra training in the care of pregnant patients and the delivery of babies.

obstetrician. Physician who specializes in the care of pregnant women and the delivery of babies.

oligohydramnios. Lack or deficiency of amniotic fluid.

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

opioids. Synthetic compounds with effects similar to those of opium.

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.

ovulatory age. See fertilization age.

oxytocin. Medication that causes uterine contractions.

palmar erythema. Redness of palms of the hands.

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

paracervical block. Local anesthetic for cervical dilatation.

pediatrician. Physician who specializes in the care of babies and children.

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

perinatologist. Physician who specializes in the care of high-risk pregnancies.

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.

phototherapy. Treatment for jaundice in a newborn infant. See jaundice.

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. See anemia.

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 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.

polyhydramnios. See hydramnios.

postmature baby. Pregnancy of 42+ weeks gestation.

postpartum blues. Mild depression after delivery.

postpartum distress. A range of symptoms including baby blues, postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.

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.

pregnancy diabetes. See gestational diabetes.

premature delivery. Delivery before 38 weeks gestation.

presentation. Describes which part of the baby comes into the birth canal first.

propylthiouracil. Medication used to treat thyroid disease.

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.

pudendal block. Local anesthesia during labor.

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.

quickening. Feeling the baby move inside the uterus.

radiation therapy. Method of treatment for various cancers.

radioactive scan. Diagnostic test in which radioactive material is injected into the body and scanned to find a problem within a particular part of the body.

Rh-negative. Absence of rhesus antibody in the blood.

RhoGAM«. Medication given during pregnancy and following delivery to prevent isoimmunization. See isoimmunization.

Rh-sensitivity. See isoimmunization.

round-ligament pain. Pain caused by stretching ligament on the sides of the uterus during pregnancy.

rupture of membranes. Loss of fluid from the amniotic sac. Also called breaking of waters.

seizure. Sudden onset of a convulsion.

sexually transmitted disease (STD). Infection transmitted through sexual intercourse.

sickle-cell anemia. Anemia caused by abnormal red blood cells shaped like a sickle or a cylinder.

sickle-cell trait. Presence of the trait for sickle-cell anemia. Not sickle-cell disease itself.

sickle crisis. Painful episode caused by sickle-cell disease.

skin tag. Flap or extra buildup of skin.

sodium. Element found in many foods, particularly salt. Ingestion of too much sodium may cause fluid retention.

spina bifida. Congenital abnormality characterized by a defect in the vertebral column. Membranes of the spinal cord and the spinal cord protrude outside the protective bony canal of the spine.

spinal anesthesia. Anesthesia given in the spinal canal.

spontaneous miscarriage. Loss of pregnancy during the first 20 weeks of gestation.

stasis. Decreased flow.

station. Estimation of the descent of the baby.

steroids. Group of medications of hormone origin. Often used to treat various diseases. Includes estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, prednisone.

stigma. Area on the ovary where the egg has been released at the time of ovulation.

stretch marks. Areas of the skin that are torn or stretched. Often found on the abdomen, breasts, buttocks and legs.

striae distensa. See stretch marks.

sulci. Groove or furrow on the surface of the brain.

surfactant. Phospholipid present in the lungs. Controls surface tension of lungs. Premature babies often lack sufficient amounts of surfactant to breathe without assistance.

syphilis. Sexually transmitted venereal infection caused by treponema pallidum.

systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Connective-tissue disorder common in women in the reproductive ages. Antibodies made by the person act against his or her own tissues.

Tay-Sachs disease. Inherited disease characterized by mental and physcial retardation, convulsions, enlargement of the head and eventually death. Trait is usually carried by Ashkenazi Jews.

telangiectasias. Dilatation or swelling of a small blood vessel. Sometimes called an angioma. During pregnancy, another common name is a spider angioma.

tertatogen. Anything that causes abnormal development in an embryo.

teratogenic. Causes abnormal development.

teratology. Branch of science that deals with substances that cause abnormal development.

thalassemia. Group of inherited disorders of hemoglobin metabolism, which results in a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin formed. Found most commonly in people of Mediterranean descent.

threatened miscarriage. Bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy without cramping or contractions.

thrombosis. Formation of a blood clot (thrombus).

thrush. Monilial or yeast infection occurring in the mouth or mucous membranes of a newborn infant.

thyroid disease. Abnormality of the thyroid gland and its production of

thyroid hormone. See hyperthyroidism; hypothyroidism.

thyroid hormone. Chemical made in the thyroid that affects the entire body.

thyroid panel. Series of blood tests done to evaluate the function of the thyroid gland.

thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Hormone made in the brain that stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroid hormone.

tocolysis. Stopping contractions during premature labor.

tocolytic agents. Medications to stop labor. See beta-adrenergics.

toxemia. See pre-eclampsia.

toxoid. Poison.

toxoplasmosis. Infection caused by toxoplasma gondii.

transverse lie. Fetus is turned sideways in uterus.

trichomonal vaginitis. Venereal infection caused by trichomonas.

trimester. Method of dividing pregnancy into three equal time periods of about 13 weeks each.

trophoblast. Cell layer important in early development of the embryo and fetus. It provides nourishment from the mother to the fetus and participates in the formation of the placenta.

umbilical cord. Cord that connects the placenta to the developing baby. It removes waste products and carbon dioxide from the baby and brings oxygenated blood and nutrients from the mother through the placenta to the baby.

umbilicus. Bellybutton.

ureters. Tubes from the kidneys to the bladder that drain urine.

urinary calculi. See kidney stones.

uterine atony. Lack of tone of uterus.

uterus. Organ an embryo/fetus grows in. Also called a womb.

vaccine. Mild infection given to cause production of antibodies to protect against subsequent infections.

vacuum extractor. Device used to provide traction on fetal head during delivery.

varicose veins. Blood vessels (veins) that are dilated or enlarged.

vascular spiders. See telangiectasias.

vena cava. Major vein in the body that empties into the right atrium of the heart. It returns unoxygenated blood to the heart for transport to the lungs.

venereal warts. See condyloma acuminatum.

vernix. Fatty substance made up of epithelial cells that covers fetal skin inside the uterus.

vertex. Head first.

villi. Projection from a mucous membrane. Most important within the placenta in the exchange of nutrients from maternal blood to the placenta and fetus.

womb. See uterus.

yeast infection. See monilial vulvovaginitis; thrush.

zygote. Cell that results from the union of a sperm and egg at fertilization.

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From Your Pregnancy Week by Week by Glade B. Curtis, M.D., OB/GYN. Copyright by Fisher Books. Electronic rights by Medical Data Exchange.

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