Pregnancy & Childbirth: Essential Medical Terms
Understanding Pregnancy & Childbirth Terms
Pregnancy Journey Vocabulary
Morning Sickness
When you are pregnant, you sometimes feel sick in the morning.
Unborn Baby
A baby that is still in your womb.
To Be Pregnant
When you are carrying an unborn baby.
First Trimester
The first stage of pregnancy (0-12 weeks).
Second Trimester
The second stage of pregnancy (13-27 weeks).
Third Trimester
The third stage of pregnancy (28 weeks to birth).
Prenatal Care
Taking care of a baby before it is born.
Folic Acid
A vitamin that pregnant women need to take.
Belly, Tummy, Abdomen
A pregnant woman’s stomach.
Womb
Female muscle where gestation occurs.
Foetus (Fetus)
Embryo with human characteristics.
Cravings
Desire to eat something specific during pregnancy.
Gestational Age
Age of a pregnancy, often calculated from the woman’s last menstrual period or early ultrasound.
Placental Abruption
When the placenta separates early from the uterus.
Childbirth & Postpartum Vocabulary
Childbirth
The process of giving birth to a child.
Labour
Process that ends with birth.
Induced Labour
The process or treatment that stimulates childbirth and delivery.
Pain
Something that hurts or feels uncomfortable.
Epidural
Anesthesia for the lower part of the body.
Pain Relief
When the pain ends or disappears.
Caesarean Section
Operation to remove the fetus from the uterus.
Dilatation
Opening of the cervix.
Postpartum Period
Period after birth.
Breastfeed
Feeding the baby with breast milk.
Mammary Gland
Milk-producing gland.
Stillborn (Child)
Baby born deceased.
Medical Professionals & Procedures
Midwife
A woman who delivers babies.
A Doctor
A person who cares for sick people.
Paediatrician (Pediatrician)
Specialist doctor for children and babies.
Check-up, Exam
What happens to you at the doctor’s office, to check that you are healthy.
Doctor’s Appointment
Time with the doctor.
Miscarriage
Natural and spontaneous loss of pregnancy.
Ultrasound
Test where the uterus and fetus are displayed.
Sonogram
A visual image produced from an ultrasound examination.
Blood Pressure
Pressure exerted by blood in the blood vessels.
Oxygen Therapy
Medical treatment that involves oxygen inhalation.
Cotton Swab
Instrument used to get a sample.
Pap Smear
Preventive exam to detect cervical cancer.
Uterine Curettage
Scraping of the uterus.
Fundal Height
Measurement of the uterus.
Speculum
Instrument used to dilate an orifice or canal in the body.
Hysterometer
Instrument for measuring the depth of the uterine cavity.
General Medical & Hospital Terms
Operation Room
A room in a hospital where surgical operations are performed.
I.V. (Intravenous)
Within a vein. IV is the abbreviation for “intravenous.”
Fraternal Twins
Twins resulting from the development of separate fertilized ova.
Attachment
Affection, fondness, or sympathy for someone or something.
Clinical Chart
Complete record of a patient’s key medical history.
Work Shift
The time period during which you are at work.
Precocious Puberty
Puberty occurring at an unusually early age.
Contraception
Artificial methods or techniques to prevent pregnancy.
Stretch Mark
Stretching of the skin.
Infant
A very young child.
Incubator
Where premature or small babies are placed to provide care.
Premature
Baby born before term.
Menopause
Last menstruation.