Pregnancy Terms & AcronymsHelpful Pregnancy terms and acronyms used by medical personnel and in pregnancy and c-section forums. AFP - Alpha-Feto Protein test for certain birth defects (also called MSAFP at times) AROM - Artificial Rupture of Membranes (when the doctor or midwife breaks the waters) B/P - Blood Pressure
Breech - baby that is positioned with its head-up instead of head-down. Frank breech is butt-first, footling breech is feet first. CBAC - Cesarean Birth After Cesarean; a better term than "failed VBAC." Refers to a cesarean that occurs after a trial of labor (VBAC attempt) Cephalic - A Head-down position of the baby Classical incision/vertical incision - vertical (up-down) c/s incision but extending into upper uterine segment; most providers reluctant to encourage a future vaginal birth after this incision CNM - Certified Nurse-Midwife; a midwife that is a nurse before becoming a midwife. Mostly does birth center and hospital births; can do most medical procedures (but not surgery) C/S - cesarean section; cutting the baby out thru the mom's abdomen instead of a vaginal birth D - Dilation and Curettage, or dilating the cervix in order to scrape out the contents of the uterus. Can be done as an abortion to terminate a pregnancy or as medical treatment after a natural miscarriage (although a D&C is not required after a miscarriage) DEM - Direct-Entry Midwife; a midwife that does not become a nurse first. Usually trained through accredited schools and apprenticeship; if they complete certification on a national level, they can become a CPM (Certified Professional Midwife). Some states also license midwives through state agencies DH - Darling Husband (or damn husband, as the case may be!) DS - Darling Son DD - Darling Daughter Dilation - the amount a cervix has opened in preparation for the baby's birth Doula - a professional labor support person to assist you and your partner in labor Effacement - the thinning and shortening of the cervix in preparation for dilation EFM - External Fetal Monitoring; checking the heartbeat of the baby, usually through an elastic/velcro band placed around the mother's belly in labor. Restricts the mother's movement Engaged - when the baby's head has descended into the mother's pelvix and is putting pressure on the cervix, hopefully causing it to dilate and efface External Version - trying to turn a poorly positioned baby (i.e. breech) manually from the outside of the mother's uterus; also called ECV, for External Cephalic Version GD - gestational diabetes. A type of temporary diabetes in pregnancy. Often times it disappears after delivery but comes back at a later time. Group B Strep or GBS - an infection in the mother's vagina that can cause serious or even fatal damage to a baby during birth in a few cases; often treated with antibiotics during labor HBAC - Home Birth After Cesarean, see also VBAC Hematoma - a fluid-filled 'bruise' of types on baby's head from birth or a vacuum extractor Induction - starting labor through artificial means instead of letting it start spontaneously IUI - Intra-Uterine Insemination, a fertility-assistance procedure IUGR - Intra-Uterine Growth Retardation, where the baby does not grow at optimal rate Ketones - acid by-product produced when fat is used for energy; can potentially be harmful in pregnancy and is particularly a concern with gestational diabetes lithotomy - flat on the back with legs in stirrups, or partially propped up with legs in stirrups or pulled up by woman and partner/nurses; worst position for pushing physiologically Low Transverse Incision - Low bikini (horizontal) incision made during a C-Section. This is the best option for future vaginal birth and is the easiest to heal. Low Vertical Incision - Low vertical (up-down) incision made during a c-section, if made in lower uterine segment future vaginal birth may be possible. Macrosomia = A baby that is larger-than-average - about 9+ lbs. NST - Non-Stress Test, a prenatal test near term to determine the condition of a baby at risk for problems OB - obstetrician or obstetrics doctor. PIH - Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension or preeclampsia. A rise in blood pressure during pregnancy. Also called pre-eclampsia (when other symptoms are present) or Toxemia of Pregnancy. Pit - Pitocin, synthetic version of labor hormone 'oxytocin'. Placental Abruption - When the placenta pulls away from the wall of the uterus prematurely. Causes significant bleeding and can threaten the life of the baby and/or the mother Placenta Accreta - placenta that grows into the wall of the uterus. May require a hysterectomy Placenta Previa - a Placenta that is low-lying and partially or fully covering cervix; often requires a c-section. PCO (PCOS) - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. A disease of too much insulin production and resistance to using that insulin effectively. PCO women often experience symptoms like facial hair, infertility, a tendency towards diabetes/high blood pressure/high cholesterol, acne, etc. Post-dates - A pregnancy term past 42 weeks. Some providers may also call shorter terms 'post-dates' Posterior - Baby positioned 'sunny side up', or face towards the mother's front; makes a much more difficult and painful labor. Can be birthed vaginally but often requires a c-section. Pre-Eclampsia - Rise in blood pressure in pregnancy accompanied by symptoms such as protein in urine, edema (swelling), etc. PROM - Premature Rupture of Membranes. This is when waters break before term RE - Reproductive Endocrinologist. A specialist in infertility treatment Seroma - The pocket of fluid that accumulates underneath an incision. Larger women are somewhat more prone to this. SNS - Supplemental Nursing System; a way to feed the baby formula while the baby is nursing at the mother's breast. A container goes around the mother's neck and a small tube is taped to the mother's breast so that while nursing the baby also sucks on the tubing to get supplemental formula. A way to supplement baby without sabotaging nursing by using bottles SROM - Spontaneous Rupture of Membranes (when the waters break on their own) Transverse - Baby that is positioned sideways in the womb. Requires a c-section. Uterine Rupture - This is rare but potentially catastrophic pulling apart of the uterus. More common after previous uterine surgery or c-section, but can occur without labor or even without previous c-section. UTI - Urinary Tract Infection - An infection within the urinary tract. Requires antibiotics if infection does not clear on its own. VBAC - Vaginal Birth After Cesarean, VBAC VBA2C - Vaginal Birth After 2 Cesareans (and VBA3C, after 3 cesareans; or VBAMC, after multiple cesareans....) VBAMC - Vaginal birth after multiple c-sections, VBAMC ===> Check out our frequently asked C-Section Questions that women regarding having and recovering from a Cesarean Section. For Lots More Help, Tips and Personal Advice with making critical decisions regarding your C-Section, Planing, avoiding pain/risks and Recovering quickly including getting your life & your shape back, please see the Worry free C-Section at www.worry-free-c-section.com. Please share "C-Section Scars"
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