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L & D Terminology
Labor and Delivery Terminology, Medical Terminology
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Bloody Show | passage of blood or blood-tinged mucus. Usually indicates that labor is nearing because it indicates that the cervix is changing shape |
| Endorphins | Hormones produced naturally by the body – producing sedation and euphoria effects and raising the pain threshold |
| Intrapartum | Intra/partum During labor |
| Lightening | Not to be confused with electrical energy that shoots from the sky – this is when the mother feels a physical relief from pressure under the diaphragm due to the fetal head descending into the pelvic brim |
| Lithotomy position | Mother lies on back with thighs and legs flexed and open, held in place with lithotomy poles, feet in stirrups. May be used during assisted vaginal deliveries or perineal suturing. Personally, this position represents everything about the medical model! |
| Prodromal | Preceding Usually accompanied by a following word – prodromal labor, prodromal symptoms, etc |
| Oxytocin | Hormone secreted by posterior pituitary gland. In reproduction - causes stimulation of uterus, causing contracts, as well as expulsion of milk during breastfeeding. “Feel good” hormone, also aids in orgasm. Three cheers for oxytocin. |
| Compound presentation | Malpresention during labor in which more then one part of the fetus presents – example, head and hand, or even head and cord |
| Median | Middle Refers to middle or midline plane of the body or a structure |
| Medio-lateral | Relating to or extending from side to side. The “left-right axis” |
| Position (fetal) | Eight different position of the fetus in the mother's pelvis – most favorable for delivery is left occiput anterior (LOA) |
| Presentation | How the fetus is occupying the uterus, and usually which part will show first during birth. There are six main presentations (vertex, brow, face, breech, shoulder anterior, shoulder posterior) |
| Station | The location of the presenting fetal part in the birth canal. -5 to -1 is above the ischial spine, 0 is right at the ischial spine, +1 to +5 is below the ischial spine. (+5 is crowning) |
| Curve of Carus | Arc of pelvis axis, route taken by fetus during their passage through birth canal |
| Ketones | Normal metabolic product of liver – excess ketones in urine often indicate diabetes |
| Perineal | Pertaining to the perineum |
| Perineum | muscles, tissue, and skin between vagina and anus. Perineum stretches significantly during childbirth |
| Suprapubic | Supra / pubic Above the pubic bones |
| Acromion | point of the shoulder – tip of scapula |
| Asynclitism | asymmetrical Type of fetal presentation – the head is presenting first but it is tipped at the shoulder. Not favorable and can increase both first stage and second stage labor. |
| Attitude | The relationship of fetal parts to one another inside the uterus |
| Breech | Considered a malpresentation – baby is presenting butt (or feet) first. Opposite of vertex |
| Bregma | The anterior fontanelle – also known as the “soft spot” |
| Cardinal movements | Seven specific movements the fetus makes during birth to fit through the pelvis as it moves through the birth canal. Engagement, descent, flexion, internal rotation, extension, external rotation, and expulsion |
| Cephalic | Pertaining to the head |
| Caul | “born in the caul” When the amniotic sac fails to rupture during labor - fully enveloping baby as it is born. |
| Lie (fetal) | Relation of the long axis of fetus to long axis of mother's uterus – they are normally parallel. |
| Meconium | Baby's first bowel movement after birth – greenish-black material that has been in the fetal intestinal tract. Can sometimes be passed during labor. |
| Mentum | Another term for chin. Used as a point of reference in face presentation. |
| Nuchal | Pertaining to the back of the neck. Size of nuchal fold of fetus can indicate congenital problems, such as Down Syndrome. |
| Oblique | Slanting Usually refers to a type of abnormal lie of the fetus – slanted in the uterus, which can present problems in labor and difficult or impossible delivery |
| Occiput | Ox-eye-putt Refers to the back part of the head or skull. Term is used when referring to vertex positions |
| Saggital suture | where the fetal parietal bones meet – if a third fontanelle is noted, down syndrome may be present |
| Sinciput | Sin-say-putt Another term for forehead. Point of reference in brow presentation, opposite of occiput |
| Synclitism | Type of fetal lie – plans fetal head is parallel with maternal pelvis. Opposite of asynclitism |
| Counter pressure | External pressure that is directed towards a point of pain or pressure. Example, pressure applied to small of back to help relieve pelvic pain in labor. |
| Hydrotherapy | Therapeutic use of water to release discomfort. Laboring in birth pool or in shower considered hydrotherapy |
| Psychoprophylaxis | Type of education method aimed at preventing pain in labor and changing the conceptions of pain in unmedicated childbirth. Also known as.. Lamaze! |
| Anaphylaxis | Abnormal and acute allergic reaction effecting the lungs, airways, and ability to breathe |
| Anoxia | An/ox/ia Oxygen deprivation |
| Bandl’s ring | Extreme thickening of a muscle ring in the uterus during labor – both palpable and often visible. Usually sign of imminent uterine rupture and can trap the fetus inside. |
| Bradycardia | Brady/cardia Abnormally slow heart beat – below 60 beats a minute for adults, below 100 beats a minute for fetus |
| Chorioamnionitis | Chorio/amnion/itis Inflammation of the fetal membranes due to an infection – usually by way of bacteria infection introduced in the vagina. |
| Classical Incision | Vertical uterine incision during a c-section – usually reserved for emergencies so the doctor may deliver the baby faster. Women with a classical incision are not advised a VBAC. |
| Cystocele | Cysto/cele Herniation of bladder into the vagina – due to pelvic floor damage during childbirth |
| Deep transverse arrest | When the fetal head fails to rotate in labor, despite steady descent. Essentially “skipping” cardinal movements. Cesarean or assisted vaginal deliver is usually required |
| Dehiscence | Bursting open or rupturing Can be normal or abnormal – abdominal wound after surgery, or Graafian follicle at ovulation |
| Dystocia | Diss-toe-she-ah Difficult, abnormal, or obstructed labor. Commonly used with the term shoulder dystocia |
| Hyperventilation | Hyper/ventilation Rapid and deep breathing – usually hand in hand with physical stress or emotional stress, or both |
| Hypoxia | Hyp/ox/ia Lack of oxygen reaching the bodily tissues |
| Inertia (uterine) | Inability of uterine muscles to contract efficiently – usually the cause of prolonged labor and overexerted mother |
| Rectocele | Wreck-da-seal Hernia of the rectum into the vagina - usually caused by overstretched vaginal walls during childbirth. Sometimes result of baby “stuck” in the birth canal – more common in developing countries. |
| Sepsis | Infection of pathogenic bacteria – can be fatal if left untreated |
| Tachycardia | Tachy/cardia Abnormally fast heart beat and pulse Over 100 in adults and over 180 in fetus |
| Turtle Sign | In labor, involves the appearance and retraction of the fetal head. Often indicates shoulder dystocia, sometimes cord entanglement |
| Umbilical cord prolapse | When the umbilical cord presents first or alongside a fetal part. Considered an emergency as the baby's oxygen and blood supply is cut off due to pressure in the vagina. Assisted delivery or c-section is usually required. |
| Amniotomy | Amnio/tomy Another term for artificial rupture of membranes – outside rupture of membranes to induce or facilitate labor |
| Contraindications | A symptom or condition that makes a particular treatment or procedure inadvisable |
| Episiotomy | Midline surgical incision in the stretched perineum during childbirth to enlarge vaginal opening and help with delivery. |
| Fern test | In pregnancy or labor, it is a test used when there is a concern that amniotic fluid may be leaking. Cervical mucus from a pregnant woman is tested - “ferning” is present when amniotic fluid is present in the mucus |
| McRobert’s position | Position in labor where mother is supine and brings knees to chest in order to release a shoulder dystocia |
| Nitrazine test | Swab test to check for the presence of amniotic fluid. Can be used in conjunction with a fern test. |
| Pudendal block | Local anesthetic administered to the pelvic floor area (into the pudendal nerve) during childbirth. Usually given during second stage to relieve pain while the fetus comes down the birth canal. |
| Tocolytic | Toke-oh-lyt-ic Drugs that inhibiting uterine contractions. Often used to stop or slow preterm labor |
Created by:
elisaself
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