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S-Z
Ectoderm
Ectoderm is the germ layers of the developing baby that include skin, teeth, the glands of the mouth, the nervous system, and pituitary gland.
Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus, sometimes referred to as a ‘tubal pregnancy’.
Eczema
A skin inflammation that causes itching and redness is eczema, and sometimes blistering and peeling as well.
Effacement
The gradual thinning of the cervix is called effacement and is measured by percentages. 100 percent indicates complete effacement.
Embryo
An embryo is the fertilized ovum shortly after fertilization up until eight weeks gestation.
Endoderm
The endoderm are the tissues of the developing baby that include the digestive tract, respiratory organs, vagina, bladder, and urethra.
Engagement
Engagement is when the baby has descended into the pelvis, up to 3 or 4 weeks before labor begins. Also referred to as ‘lightening’.
Engorgement
Engorement is an excessive fullness, liquid-filled; usually referring to the breasts.
Epidural
An epidural is anesthesia used to decrease or eliminate pain during labor which is administered using a small needle and sometimes a catheter , into a woman’s lower back. Also referred to as an ‘epidural block’.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a condition which produces brief disturbances in the brain’s normal electrical functions and typically include attacks of convulsions.
Episiotomy
An episiotomy is a surgical incision in the perineum, to enlarge the vaginal opening prior to delivery, to avoid tearing and prevent laceration.
False Labor
Braxton Hicks contractions or false labor is the tightening of the uterus without dilation or effacement of the cervix.
Fetal Distress
A rapid change in the baby’s activity or heartbeat, or me conium-stained amniotic fluid is considered fetal distress which indicates that the baby’s life may be in danger; most often as a result of too little oxygen.
Fetal Heartbeat
Fetal Heartbeat is the heartbeat of the baby before birth.
Fetal Movement
Fetal movement is the movement of the baby before birth; such as moving arms, legs or turning around in the uterus.
Fetus
An unborn baby after 8 weeks of development is called a fetus
.Folate
Folate is also known as folic acid; is a B complex vitamin shown to reduce the possibilities of neural tube defects- such as spina bifida & anencephaly.
Fontanelles
The ‘soft spots’ on a baby’s head where the skull has not fused together is the fontanelles. At birth, a baby has a fontanelle on the top and back of the head. The back one closes quickly, but the top one can take up to 2 years before it’s completely hardened and closed.
Forceps
An obstetrical instrument that fits around the baby’s head to guide the baby’s head through the birth canal is called forceps and is used during delivery and is only occasionally used.
Fundus
The top or upper, rounded portion of a woman’s uterus is the fundus.
Gas and Air (Entonox)
Entonox or gas / air is a pain-relieving gas, also known as ‘laughing gas’, which is a mixture of nitrous oxide & oxygen.
Gestation
The period of time a baby is carried in the uterus is gestation, usually referred to in weeks. Full-term gestation is between 37 and 42 weeks.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, resulting from blood glucose levels becoming too high.
Glucose
Glucose is a form of sugar that the body uses for energy.
Glucose-tolerance test
A blood test that is done to evaluate the body’s response to sugar is called a glucose-tolerance test. Blood is drawn at intervals after the ingestion of a special sugary drink.
Gravida
Gravida is the medical term for a pregnant woman.
Guthrie Test
The Guthrie Test is also known as ‘neonatal screening test’, is a blood test taken when the baby is at least 48 hours old (usually on day 2), to tell if the baby has one of many rare, but serious health problems. This test is most often done only is South Australia.
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