Chapter 24 Terms

Question 1

Abruptio placentae

Answer 1

Placental abruption; a life-threatening emergency that occurs when the placenta detaches from the uterus.

Question 2

Amniotic fluid

Answer 2

The fluid in the amniotic sac; bathes and protects the fetus.

Question 3

Amniotic sac

Answer 3

Bag of waters.

Sac that encloses the fetus during pregnancy and bursts during the birthing process.

Question 4

APGAR score

Answer 4

A mnemonic that describes five measures used to assess the newborn: Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity and Respiration.

Question 5

Birth canal

Answer 5

The passageway from the uterus to the outside of the body through which a baby passes during birth.

Question 6

Bloody show

Answer 6

Thick discharge from the vagina that occurs during labor as the mucous plug (mucus with pink or light red streaks) is expelled; often signifies the onset of labor.

Question 7

Braxton Hicks contractions

Answer 7

False labor; irregular contractions of the uterus that do not intensify or become more frequent as genuine labor contractions do.

Question 8

Breech birth

Answer 8

The delivery of a baby’s feet or buttocks first.

Question 9

Bulb syringe

Answer 9

Small nasal syringe to remove secretions from the newborns mouth and nose.

Question 10

Cervix

Answer 10

The lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb) that forms a canal that opens into the vagina which leads to the outside of the body.
The upper part of the birth canal.

Question 11

Cesarean section

Answer 11

C-section; delivery of a baby through an incision in the mother’s belly and uterus.

Question 12

Contraction

Answer 12

During labor, the rhythmic tightening and relaxing of muscles of the uterus.

Question 13

Crowning

Answer 13

The phase during labor when the baby’s head is visible at the opening of the vagina.

Question 14

Dilation

Answer 14

The process of enlargement or stretching; during delivery, refers to the opening of the cervix to allow the baby to be born.

Question 15

Dropping

Answer 15

Engagement or lightening; when the baby drops to a lower position and is engaged in the mother’s pelvis; usually takes place a few weeks before labor begins.

Question 16

Eclampsia

Answer 16

A complication during pregnancy in which the patient has convulsions or seizures associated with high blood pressure.

Question 17

Ectopic pregnancy

Answer 17

A pregnancy outside of the uterus; most often occurs in the fallopian tubes.

Question 18

Embryo

Answer 18

The term used to describe the early stage of development in the uterus, from fertilization to the beginning of the 3rd month.

Question 19

Fetal monitoring

Answer 19

A variety of tests used to measure fetal stress, either internally or externally.

Question 20

Fetus

Answer 20

The term used to describe the stage of development in the uterus after the embryo stage, beginning at the start of the third month.

Question 21

Hemorrhagic shock

Answer 21

Shock due to excessive blood loss.

Question 22

Implantation

Answer 22

The attachment of the fertilized egg to the lining of the uterus, 6 or 7 days after conception.

Question 23

Labor

Answer 23

The birth process, beginning with the contraction of the uterus and dilation of the cervix and ending with the stabilization and recovery of the mother.

Question 24

Meconium aspiration

Answer 24

Aspiration of the first bowel movement of the newborn; can be a sign of fetal stress and can lead to meconium aspiration syndrome.

Question 25

Miscarriage

Answer 25

A spontaneous end to pregnancy before the 20th week; usually because of birth defects in the fetus and placenta.
AKA spontaneous abortion.

Question 26

Mucous plug

Answer 26

A collection of mucus that blocks the opening into the cervix and is expelled, usually toward the end of pregnancy when the cervix begins to dilate.

Question 27

Multiple birth

Answer 27

Two or more births in the same pregnancy.

Question 28

Obstetric pack

Answer 28

A first aid kit containing items especially helpful in emergency delivery and initial care after birth; items can include personal protective equipment, towels clamps, ties, sterile scissors and bulb syringes.

Question 29

Placenta

Answer 29

An organ attached to the uterus and unborn baby through which nutrients are delivered; expelled after the baby is delivered.

Question 30

Placenta previa

Answer 30

Placental implantation that occurs lower in the uterine wall, touching or covering the cervix; can be dangerous if it is still covering part of the cervix at the time of the delivery.

Question 31

Preeclampsia

Answer 31

A type of toxemia that occurs during pregnancy; a condition characterized by high blood pressure and excess protein in the urine after the 20th week of pregnancy.

Question 32

Premature birth

Answer 32

Birth that occurs before the end of the 37th week of pregnancy.

Question 33

Prolapsed cord

Answer 33

A complication of childbirth in which a loop of the umbilical cord protrudes through the vagina before delivery of the baby.

Question 34

Stabilization

Answer 34

The final stage of labor in which the mother begins to recover and stabilize after giving birth.

Question 35

Stillbirth

Answer 35

fetal death; death of a fetus after 20 weeks gestation or of a fetus weighing more than 350 grams.

Question 36

Toxemia

Answer 36

An abnormal condition associated with the presence of toxic substances in the blood.

Question 37

Trimester

Answer 37

A three-month period; there are three trimesters in a normal pregnancy.

Question 38

Umbilical cord

Answer 38

A flexible structure that attaches the placenta to the fetus, allowing for the passage of blood, nutrients and waste.

Question 39

Uterus

Answer 39

A pear-shaped organ in a woman’s pelvis in which an embryo forms and develops into a baby.
AKA womb.

Question 40

Vagina

Answer 40

Tract leading from the uterus to the outside of the body; often referred to during labor as the birth canal.