A-Z of Pregnancy Terms (I to Q)
IImmune 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 abortion: Miscarriage in which part, but not all, of the uterine contents are expelled.Inevitable abortion: Pregnancy complicated with bleeding and cramping. Usually results in miscarriage.Insulin: Peptide hormone made by the pancreas. It promotes the use of glucose.Invasive squamous-cell carcinoma: Cancer of the cervix that extends beyond the cervix into surrounding tissues or deeper layers.Iron-deficiency anemia: Anemia produced by lack of iron in the diet. Often seen in pregnancy.Isoimmunization: Development of specific antibody directed at the red blood cells of another individual, such as a baby in utero. Often occurs when an Ph-negative woman carries an Ph-positive baby or is given Rh-positive blood.J Jaundice: Yellow staining of the skin, sclera (eyes) and deeper tissues of the body. Caused by excessive amounts of bilirubin. Treated with phototherapy.K 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.L Laaoo: 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 colour. Primarily composed of mucus.Lightening: Change in the shape of the pregnant uterus a few weeks before labour. Often described as the baby “dropping.”Linea nigra: line of increased pigmentation running down the abdomen from the bellybutton to the pubic area during pregnancy.M Malignant GTN: Cancerous change of gestational trophoblastic disease.Mammogram: X-ray study of the breasts to identify normal and abnormal breasttissue.Mask of pregnancy: Increased pigmentation over the area of the face under each eye. Commonly has the appearance of a butterfly.Meconium: First intestinal discharge of the newborn; green or yellow in colour. It consists of epithelial or surface cells, mucus and bile. Discharge may occur before or during labour 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.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: See Abortion.Missed abortion: 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.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.Moruaa: Cells resulting from the early division of the fertilized egg at the beginning of pregnancy.Mucus plug: Secretions in cervix; often released just before labour.Mutations: Change in the character of a gene. Passed from one cell division to another.N Neural-tube defects: Abnormalities in the development of the spinal cord and brain in a fetus. See Anencephaly; Hydrocephalus; Spina bifida.O Oligohydramnios: Lack or deficiency of amniotic fluid.Omphalocele: Presence of congenital outpouching of the umbilicus containing internal organs in the fetus or newborn infant.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.Oxytocin: Medication that causes uterine contractions.P Pap smear: A Routine screening test that evaluates presence of premalignant or cancerous conditions of the cervix.Paracenrical block: local anesthetic for cervical dilatation.Pelvimetry: Evaluation of the size of the birth canal or pelvis. Performed by X-ray.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.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.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 accreta: Placenta that attaches to muscle of uterus.Placenta increta: Placenta that grows into muscle of uterus.Placenta percreta: Placenta that penetrates muscle of uterus. 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.Premature baby: Baby born before 38 weeks.Postnatal blues: Mild depression after delivery. Postpartum depression-Depression after delivery.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.Premature delivery: Delivery before 38 weeks gestation. Presentation-Describes which part of the baby comes into the birth canal first.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.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.Q Quickening: Feeling the baby move inside the uterus.
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