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through the urethra.
m. C-section (cesarean section) -- delivery of the baby and the placenta through
an incision made into the abdominal wall of the uterus.
n. Cephalic delivery -- in normal circumstances, presentation of the head first.
o. Cervix -- neck of the uterus; "mouth of the womb" which dilates and effaces
during labor (dilates to 10 centimeters to accommodate the head of the baby passing
through the cervix during the birth process).
p. Colostrum -- thin, yellowish fluid preceding breast milk; usually present by the
second day after the birth of the baby. Sugar content of this fluid is the same as breast
milk. Colostrum contains as much or more protein material and salts as breast milk but
less fat. Colostrum carries protective antibodies.
q. Contractions -- also called labor, the term contractions refers to the muscles
of the uterus contracting rhythmically and forcefully just before birth. Terms associated
with contractions are as follows:
(1) Intensity -- strength of the muscle contractions.
(2) Duration -- length of time from start to end of the contraction.
(3) Frequency -- time from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning
of the next contraction.
(4) Braxton Hicks contractions -- also called false labor, this refers to
irregular uterine contractions occurring after the 28th week of pregnancy; felt mainly in
the abdomen; changes in the woman's activity will usually cause these contractions to
go away.
r. Crowning -- appearance of the baby's head at the vaginal opening.
s. Dilation (or dilatation) -- opening of the cervix. The cervix opens from 1 to 10
centimeters during the birth process.
MD0584 2-3
t. Effacement -- shortening and thinning of the cervix. During childbirth, the
cervix becomes a part of the body of the uterus. Measurements are from 0 to 100
percent.
u. Episiotomy -- incision through perineum, enlarging the vaginal outlet.
v. Engagement -- refers to the entrance of the presenting part into the pelvis.
w. Fetus -- developing baby; the developing offspring in the uterus from the
second month of pregnancy to birth.
x. Multigravida -- a woman who has been pregnant two or more times.
y. Perineum -- area between the vaginal opening and the anus.
z. Placenta -- also called afterbirth, a special organ of pregnancy which
nourishes the fetus. It is expelled following the birth of the baby.
aa. Placenta abruptio -- premature separation of the placenta from the uterine
wall, this separation resulting in bleeding from the separation site.
bb. Placenta previa -- placenta that is implanted in the lower uterine segment,
possibly totally or partially covering the opening of the cervix.
cc. Prenatal -- refers to the period of time prior to the birth of the baby.
dd. Presenting part -- also called presentation, this is the part of the baby that
will deliver first.
ee. Primigravida -- a woman having her first pregnancy.
ff. Primipara -- a woman who has produced one infant of 500 grams or 20
weeks gestation, regardless of whether the infant delivered dead or alive.
gg. Prolapsed cord -- the umbilical cord appears in the vaginal orifice before the
head of the infant.
hh. Puerperium -- the time period following the delivery until about six weeks.
ii. Quickening -- feeling of life within the uterus. This is usually noticed during
the 16th to the 19th week of gestation.
jj. ROM -- rupture of membranes.
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kk. Station -- the location of the presenting part in relation to the level of the
ischial spines (midpelvis). Measures from -5 to +5.
ll. Umbilical cord -- cord connecting the baby and the placenta; cord contains
blood vessels, usually 19 blood vessels.
mm. Uterus -- also called womb, a pear-shaped muscular organ which holds and
nourishes the developing fetus.
nn. Vagina -- also called birth canal, a muscular tube that connects the uterus to
the external genitalia; the passage for normal delivery of the fetus.
2-3. SIGNS/SYMPTOMS OF LABOR
a. Contractions. Rhythmic, involuntary contractions of the uterus accomplish
the process of birth which is called parturition. These involuntary contractions (also
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