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	Due Date Technically speaking, the due date is calculated by subtracting 3 months from the 1st day of your last period and then adding 7 days.
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	Areola The pink or brown circular area of skin surrounding the nipple of the breast.
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	Presentation The position of the head of the fetus in relation to the cervix.
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	Mucous Plug An accumulation of mucus in the cervical canal that serves to seal off the uterus during pregnancy.
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	Linea Nigra A dark line that develops on the skin in the middle of the abdomen of some pregnant women.
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	Anemia A condition in which the number or volume of red blood cells in the blood is abnormally low. Red blood cells are the oxygen-carrying component of blood.
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	Amniotic fluid The liquid tht fills the amniotic sac and surrounds and protects the developing baby. This fluid contains cells shed by the baby.
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	Spina Bifida Failure of the spinal column to close completely in the fetus.
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	Pelvis The bony structure in the mother through which the baby passes during delivery.
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	Fetal Alcohol Syndrome A condition that can develop in the unborn baby of a mother who drinks alcohol during pregnancy. It is associated with physical abnormalities and mental retardation of the baby.
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	Transverse Presentation A fetal position in which the fetus is lying perpendicular to the mother´s body (i.e. sideways). Usually the shoulder of the fetus is closest to the cervix.
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	Toxemia A serious disorder of pregnancy (encompassing preeclampsia and eclampsia) characterized by high blood pressure, edema, and kidney malfunction in the pregnant woman.
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	Rh Incompatibility A condition in which an Rh-negative mother who has developed antibodies to the Rh factor (often from previously giving birth to an Rh-positive baby) becomes pregnant with an Rh-positive baby. This condition can lead to a form of anemia in the baby.
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	Cephalic The baby is head down. Also referred to as vertex.
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	Engagement The presenting part of the baby has settled into the pelvis, called zero station.
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	Vernix caseosa A protective, cream cheeselike substance that covers thae skin of the fetus and may be present at birth, especially in the skin folds, or in a premature baby. It does not need to be cleaned off, but should be rubbed into the baby´s skin to protect it from the dryness of it´s new environment.
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	Alpha-fetoprotein A substance formed in the fetus and excreted in the amniotic fluid. High levels may indicate a neural tube defect in the baby, a multiple pregnancy, or a miscalculated due date.
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	Caudal Anesthesia A form of regional anesthesia used for vaginal deliveries. It is achieved by injecting an anesthetic into an area of the lower spinal column.
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	Placenta Previa A condition in which the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix, often causing vaginal bleeding.
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	Episiotomy An incision made in the tissues around the vagina druing the second stage of labor.
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	Edema Swelling, excessive accumulation of fluid.
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	Dilation The enlarging of the cervical opening during labor, measured in centimeters.
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	Diastasis recti Separation of the muscles in the middle of the abdomen.
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	Afterbirth The placenta and other tissues associated with fetal development, that are expelled after the delivery of the baby.
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	Placenta The structure that develops within the uterus during pregnancy through which the baby receives nourishment and oxygen and eliminates waste products. It also produces hormones that regulate changes in the mother´s body during pregnancy and childbirth.
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	Braxton Hicks Contractions Uterine contractions, felt as a tightening in the abdominal area, that occur before labor.
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	Rubella A highly contagious viral infection, characterized by fever, a widespread pink rash, and enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck. Although generally a minor disease, it can cause serious side effects in the fetus if contractd by a woman during pregnancy.
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	Rh Factor A group of substances in the blood that stimulate the production of antibodies. Persons who have the Rh factor are termed Rh positive; those who lack it are called Rh negative.
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	Fontanel A soft, membrane-covered space on a baby´s head where skull bone has not yet grown; allows for easier passage of the baby´s head through the vaginal canal during delivery by allowing the skull plates to mold.
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	Eclampsia A potentially fatal complication in which the pregnant woman develops high blood pressure, seizures and edema and has protein in her urine.
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	Lanugo The fine hair on the body of the fetus; it is sometimes present on the forehead, shoulders and back of a newborn infant, especially one that was born prematurely.
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	Lie The position of your baby in your uterus.
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	Pre-eclampsia A disorder of pregnancy, characterized by elevated blood pressure, edema, and kidney malfunction, that may precede the development of eclampsia.
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	Stretch Marks Streaks that develop on the abdomen, breasts, hips and thighs of a pregnant woman due to stretching of the skin.
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	Sutures Long, thin spaces between the bones of the developing baby´s skull that allow the bones to slide over one another during delivery.
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	Ripe The cervix has begun to soften, indicating that you are near labor.
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	Oxytocin A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland during labor to stimulate uterine contractions. It is also released during breastfeeding to stimulate milk secretion.
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	Hormone A chemical secreted in one part of the body and transported to another, where it regulates certain vital functions.
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	Cervix The lower portion of the uterus that opens into the vagina.
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	Presenting part The part of the baby resting over the cervix.
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	Fallopian Tubes Two tubes, one extending on each side of the uterus, through which an egg passes after it is released from the ovary.
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	Effacement Softening, thinning and shortening of the cervix that takes place preceding and in the early stages of labor.
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	Fundus The top portion of the uterus.
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	Embryo The developing baby from the time the fertilized egg implants in the uterine wall until eight weeks after conception.
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	Anesthesia The loss of sensation that is medically induced to permit a painless surgical procedure. General anesthesia involves the entire body and produces loss of consciousness; regional and local anesthesia involve loss of sensation only in specific parts of the body.
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	Identical Twins Two babies resulting from the fertilization of one egg; they are alike in all physical traits.
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	Umbilical Cord The structure through which fetal blood flows to and from the placenta to obtain oxygen and nutrients and eliminate the fetal waste.
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	Vagina The muscular canal extending from the vulva to the uterus.
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	Position The way the fetus is facing in relation to the mother´s back.
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	Miscarriage Spontaneous expulsion of an embryo or fetus before it is capable of living outside the uterus.
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	Fetus The developing baby from the eighth week after conception until birth.
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	Forceps Long tong-like instrument sometimes used to assist delivery of the baby´s head.
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	Posterior The back of the baby´s head faces toward the mother´s tailbone, usually causing more back pain during labor and/or delivery.
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	Progesterone A hormone produced by the ovaries and placenta.
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	Chloasma A patchy, brownish discoloration of the skin of the mother´s face during pregnancy.
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	Amniocentesis A prenatal diagnostic technique in which a needle is inserted through the mother´s abdominal wall and into the uterus in order to remove a sample of amniotic fluid. The fluid is then analyzed to determine if certain abnormalities are present in the fetus.
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	Vulva The external female genital organs surrounding the openings of the vagina and urethra.
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	Cephalic presentation The baby´s head is nearest the cervix (head down.)
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	Transition The period in the first stage of labor during which the cervix dilates from approximately seven to ten centimeters.
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	Parity The number of births a woman has had, noted on her chart along with "gravida"; G2 P1 means a currently pregnant woman has had one previous pregnancy resulting in a birth.
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	Toxoplasmosis A disease that is transmitted either through contact with the feces of infected animals (especially cats) or through the consumption of undercooked, infected meat. Infection of a pregnant woman can cause fetal death or birth defects, especially mental retardation and blindness.
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	Premature Refers to birth that occurs before the thirty-seventh week of pregnancy.
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	Analgesic A drug that inhibits the perception of pain.
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	Varicose Veins Swollen, distended veins, usually in the legs, but may also occur during pregnancy in the vaginal area.
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	Lightening The descent of the baby into the pelvis; may occur before or during labor. Also called the baby "dropping."
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	Labor Progressive contractions of the uterus that lead to effacement and dilation of the uterus and the descent of the baby through the pelvic and vaginal canals.
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	hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) A hormone produced by the placenta that stimulates the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone. It is this hormone tested for in the urine when taking a home pregnancy test.
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	Fraternal twins Two babies resulting from the fertilization of two separate eggs, carried at the same time. The may or may not be of the same sex and generally have no more in common physically than do siblings resulting from separate pregnancies.
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	Fetal monitor An electronic device using ultrasound technology to record the baby´s heart rate and the mother´s uterine contractions during labor. May be internal (inserted into the baby´s scalp) or external (via belts worn over the mother´s abdomen.)
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	Ectopic Pregnancy A pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants outide the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. It is incompatible with continued development and life of the fetus, and can be life-threatening to the mother if not treated.
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	Bloody Show Blood-tinged mucus that is released from the cervix before or during labor.
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	Gravida The total number of pregnancies a woman has had. Gravida 1 (or G1) on your chart means this is your first pregnancy. Noted on chart with "parity."
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	Breech presentation The baby´s feet or buttocks, rather than the baby´s head, are nearest the cervix.
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	Quickening The first fetal movements felt by the mother, usually occurring between the sixteenth and twentieth weeks after the last menstrual period.
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	Descent Baby dropping down into the pelvis.
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	Trimester One of the three traditional divisions of pregnancy, each lasting approximately three months.
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	Uterus The hollow, muscular organ of the female in which the fertilized egg implants and develops; womb.
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	Stillbirth Delivery of a dead baby after the twenty-eighth week after conception.
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	RhO (D) Immune Globulin A substance injected into an Rh-negative woman shortly after she delivers an Rh-positive baby that destroys any Rh-positive blood cells that may have entered her body, thus preventing the development of antibodies against Rh-postive blood.
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	Doppler An instrument used to listen to fetal heartbeat; operates by ultrasound.
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	Colostrum The yellow liquid secreted by the breasts during pregnancy and for a few days after childbirth, until milk production begins. It is sticky and rich in protein.
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	Cesarean Section Delivery of the baby through a cut made in the abdominal and uterine walls of the mother.
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	Spider nevi/Spider veins Minute broken blood vessels that appear under the skin.
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	Birth canal Vagina.
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	Estrogen A hormone produced by the ovaries and the placenta during pregnancy.
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	Station How far down the baby´s presenting part is in the pelvis. Station zero is the middle of the pelvis. A negative number indicates that the baby is still higher, while a positive number means the baby´s head has made its way through the pelvic inlet.
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	Syphilis An infectious venereal disease that may be transmitted through sexual contact or from mother to baby.
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	Anterior The bakc of baby´s head faces forward toward the mother´s pubic bone.
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	Epidural A form of regional anesthesia used in both vaginal and cesarean deliveries. It is administerd by injection of an anesthetic into a space outside the covering of the spinal cord.
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	Spinal Anesthesia A form of regional anesthesia used in vaginal and cesarean births; administered by injecting an anesthetic into the fluid-filled canal surrounding the spinal cord.
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	Floating The baby´s presenting part is above the pelvic inlet.
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	Placental Abruption Premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall.
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	Surfactant A substance produced by the fetal lungs that prevents them from collapsing at birth; sometimes lacking in sufficient quantity in premature babies.
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