chapter 2

Question 1

puberty

Answer 1

when a boy or a girl matures sexually into a man or a woman

Question 2

menstruation

Answer 2

a regular flow of blood from the vagina as the lining of the uterus breaks down

Question 3

ovum

Answer 3

medical term for a womans egg

Question 4

hormone

Answer 4

chemical released into the blood stream that has a specific effect on a certain area of the body e.g. oestrogen and progesterone are key to sexual development and reproduction

Question 5

conception

Answer 5

when a mans sperm has fertilised a womans egg

Question 6

fertilisation

Answer 6

the process of the sperm entering the ovum

Question 7

uterus (womb)

Answer 7

a strong muscle that expands during pregnancy to contain the growing baby

Question 8

placenta

Answer 8

this develops alongside the baby throughout pregnancy providing vital hormones and nutrients and dealing with waste products

Question 9

health visitor

Answer 9

a qualified nurse with additional specialist health visitor training

Question 10

antenatal

Answer 10

care given to a mother and a baby before birth

Question 11

EDD

Answer 11

estimated date of delivery (roughly when the baby is due to be born

Question 12

ectopic pregnancy

Answer 12

implantation occurs in the fallopian tubes instead of the wall of the uterus

Question 13

miscarriage

Answer 13

the sudden loss of an unborn baby

Question 14

threatened abortion

Answer 14

signs of potential miscarriage are seen but all is eventually okay

Question 15

inevitable abortion

Answer 15

when the foetus is pushed from the uterus by the womans body

Question 16

missed abortion

Answer 16

when the foetus is dead in the uterus and needs to be surgically removed

Question 17

General Practitioner (GP)

Answer 17

a family doctor

Question 18

obstetrician

Answer 18

a doctor specialising in the care of women during pregnancy

Question 19

gynaecologist

Answer 19

a doctor specialising in problems of fertility and reproduction

Question 20

paediatrician

Answer 20

a doctor specialising in the care of babies and children

Question 21

routine

Answer 21

straightforward and offered to everyone

Question 22

hyperemesis

Answer 22

severe vomiting during pregnancy

Question 23

ketosis

Answer 23

a dangerous condition which high levels of ketones build up In a pregnant woman’s urine

Question 24

intravenous

Answer 24

fluids given straight to the blood via a drip

Question 25

salmonella

Answer 25

a bacteria that causes food poisoning. It is sometimes found in raw eggs and chickens

Question 26

listeria

Answer 26

a bacteria, sometimes found in soft cheeses and raw fish, which can cause miscarriage

Question 27

toxoplasmosis

Answer 27

an infection caused by a microorganism found in animal faeces

Question 28

infertility

Answer 28

being unable to conceive a child

Question 29

fertility treatment

Answer 29

ways of overcoming infertility

Question 30

surrogate mother

Answer 30

a woman who bears a baby on a behalf of another woman

Question 31

screening test

Answer 31

a test to check for any potential problems

Question 32

diagnostic test

Answer 32

a test to try and identify a problem

Question 33

birth plan

Answer 33

a plan of how the mother wishes her labour to progress if there are not any complications

Question 34

contraction

Answer 34

the tightening of the muscles in the uterus

Question 35

birth canal

Answer 35

the vagaina,cervix and the uterus form one channel

Question 36

crowning

Answer 36

the babys head appears at the entrance of the vagina

Question 37

perineum

Answer 37

the skin between the rectum and the vagina

Question 38

oxytocin

Answer 38

a hormone that stimulates contractions and reduces bleeding after the birth

Question 39

pethidine

Answer 39

one of several drugs that relive pain during labour

Question 40

entonox

Answer 40

a gas and air mixture

Question 41

epidural

Answer 41

an anaesthetic given via the spine

Question 42

Anaesthetic

Answer 42

something that stops you feeling pain

Question 43

TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)

Answer 43

electrical impulses that affect pain messages from the brain

Question 44

endorphins

Answer 44

the body's natural pain relieving chemicals

Question 45

confinement

Answer 45

the time a woman give birth

Question 46

syntocin

Answer 46

a drug used to induce labour

Question 47

episiotomy

Answer 47

a cut made in the perineum to avoid a woman tearing during the birth

Question 48

forceps

Answer 48

a toll like BBQ tongs that holds and helps pull the baby through the vagina

Question 49

ventouse extraction

Answer 49

delivering the baby using suction

Question 50

caesarean section

Answer 50

delivering a baby by surgery