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Pregnancy Glossary

Pregnancy Glossary: Every Term You Need to Know

Pregnancy is an exciting, albeit very intense and sometimes confusing time. At each prenatal visit, your healthcare provider may use terminology you aren’t familiar with. That’s ok! We’ve pulled together a glossary of terms for expectant parents, partners, family and caregivers so you can understand commonly (and sometimes not so commonly) used pregnancy and birth terms. Consider this your resource for pregnancy terms A-Z.

We’ve included clinical, colloquial (AKA slang) and everyday terms. This reference guide will help you navigate the TTC (trying to conceive), pregnancy and postpartum phases.

A

Antenatal: Related to the time a woman is pregnant, before labor and delivery. Also called “prenatal.”
Amniotic fluid: Amniotic fluid is the liquid that surrounds the fetus during pregnancy. It acts like a cushion to protect the baby and the umbilical cord. It also helps fight infection, carries nutrients from the mother, and gives the baby the space and support needed to grow organs like the lungs and muscles. Doctors measure amniotic fluid to see how the baby develops and the pregnancy progresses.
Afterbirth: Also called “placental expulsion,” it’s when the placenta and fetal membranes discharge from the uterus after childbirth.
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP): A protein produced in the fetal liver and yolk sac. AFP has no function for human adults, but an AFP blood test can signify the baby’s risk for certain birth and genetic abnormalities.
Advanced maternal age (AMA): Defined as any pregnancy where the expectant mother is >35 years old. AMA is considered a risk factor.
Apgar score: An assessment of a newborn’s health, performed twice: at one minute to evaluate how the baby tolerated the labor and delivery process and at five minutes to assess how the baby is doing outside the mother’s womb.
Amniocentesis: An optional prenatal diagnostic test performed between weeks 15 and 20 in which a small amount of amniotic fluid is extracted and analyzed. The analysis checks for a risk of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down’s, Edward’s or Patau’s syndrome.
Areola: The darker colored skin on the breast that surrounds the nipple.
Artificial rupture of membranes (ARM): A method of inducing labor where the doctor or other attending provider uses a hooked tool to break the amniotic sac to induce labor. Also called an “amniotomy.”

B

Braxton Hicks contractions: Practice contractions that feel like mild tightening in the belly and help prepare for real labor, but they don’t mean labor has started.
Birth plan: A written list of labor and delivery preferences, including who the expectant mother wants in the room during labor, pain management, and the afterbirth plan.
Bloody show: Bloody discharge that contains trace amounts of mucus, which is the result of blood vessels rupturing in the cervix as it expands. Often precedes the loss of the mucus plug.
Breech position: When the position of the baby’s feet or bottom first instead of head down in the uterus, it can complicate delivery.
Biophysical profile (BPP): An ultrasound test usually performed after 28 weeks that checks the baby’s well-being by assessing four variables: breathing, movements, tone, and amniotic fluid volume.
Bonding: The emotional connection that forms between a parent and baby, often starting in the early moments after birth.
Baby blues: Feelings of sadness, mood swings, or irritability that many moms experience in the first few days after giving birth, which usually go away on their own. Not to be confused with postpartum depression, which is a type of depression.
Baseline fetal heart rate: The baby’s average heart rate in utero; helps providers assess the baby’s health during pregnancy and labor.

C

Cardiotocography: A method of tracking the fetal heart rate and the mother's contractions during labor using special equipment. Also called continuous fetal monitoring (CFM).
C-section (Caesarean section): A surgical procedure where a baby is delivered through an incision (cut) made in the mother's belly and uterus
Cervix: The lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina; it softens, shortens, and opens (dilates) during labor to let the baby out.
Cervical Dilation: The opening of the cervix during labor that allows the baby to pass through. Measured in centimeters from 0 to 10, with 10 cm commonly considered “fully dilated.” More commonly known as just “dilation.”
Contractions: The Tightening and relaxing of the uterus muscles that help push the baby out during labor
Colostrum: The first thick, yellowish milk the body makes right after birth. It’s full of nutrients and antibodies for a newborn.
Crowning: The moment during childbirth when the baby’s head starts to show at the vaginal opening.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS): A test done during early pregnancy (usually between the 10th and 12 weeks) that takes a tiny sample of the placenta to check for specific genetic conditions in the baby.
Circumcision: A procedure to remove the foreskin from a baby boy’s penis, often done for cultural, religious, or medical reasons.
Continuous fetal monitoring (CFM): A method of tracking the fetal heart rate and the mother's contractions during labor using special equipment. Also called cardiotocography (CTG).

D

Doula: A trained professional who provides emotional and physical support before, during, and after birth. Doulas do not provide medical care.
Due date (EDD): The estimated day the baby is expected to be born, calculated from the first day of the last period or an early ultrasound.
Delivery: The process of giving birth, which includes vaginal birth or having a C-section.
Down syndrome screening: Diagnostic tests that calculate the risk of the fetus developing Down syndrome, a condition in which a person is born with an extra chromosome or extra piece of a chromosome.
Developmental milestones: Skills or behaviors most children learn by a certain age, like sitting up, walking, or talking. Commonly used as a diagnostic marker to gauge development.
Discharge (vaginal): Fluid or mucus that comes from the vagina. Some discharge is normal, and it can change during ovulation and pregnancy. During pregnancy, it is usually milky and mild-smelling, caused by hormonal changes and increased blood flow.

E

Edema (swelling): Puffiness or swelling, often in the feet, ankles, or hands during pregnancy, caused by extra bodily fluid.
Epidural: A common type of pain relief administered during labor through a small tube in the lower back that helps numb the body’s lower half.
Ectopic pregnancy: When a fertilized embryo attaches anywhere outside of the uterus, most often in the fallopian tube. It can be dangerous to the mother’s health.
Effacement: The thinning and softening of the cervix in preparation for labor, measured in percentages (0% to 100%).
Episiotomy: A surgical procedure where a small cut is made at the vaginal opening during delivery to help the baby come out more easily (though it’s not always needed).
Eclampsia: A rare but serious condition during pregnancy that causes seizures, usually linked to high blood pressure.
EDD (Estimated Due Date): The estimated day the baby is expected to be born, calculated from the first day of the last period or an early ultrasound.
Early labor: The first stage of labor, characterized by painful contractions and other cervical changes like the loss of the mucus plug or the water breaking. Also called the ‘latent phase.”
Engagement (baby engaging in pelvis): When the baby’s head moves down into the pelvis and settles in position for birth. For first-time moms, it may occur around week 36, but can commonly happen later ot even during labor.
Estrogen: A key female reproductive hormone that plays a key role in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy by helping the uterus grow and supporting the baby’s development.

F

Fetus: The clinical term for a baby growing in the womb after the first 9 weeks of pregnancy until birth
Fetal heart rate (FHR): The number of times a baby’s heart beats per minute while in the womb, usually checked to make sure the baby is healthy
Fundal height: A measurement from the top of the uterus to the pubic bone that helps track fetal growth.
False labor: Contractions that feel like labor but don’t lead to the cervix opening; they’re usually irregular and go away on their own. Also known as ‘Braxton Hicks Contractions.’
First trimester: The first 12 weeks of pregnancy, counted from the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) to the end of the 12th week of gestation.
Forceps delivery: A type of assisted birth where doctors use special curved tools (forceps) to gently guide the baby out during pushing. Not commonly used in recent decades.
Fourth Trimester: Refers to the period from the birth of a baby to around three months after. The first three months of the postpartum period.
Fetal movement: Movement of the fetus in vitro (such as kicks, rolls, punches, etc.) that the expectant mother can typically start to feel as early as 18-25 weeks.
Folic acid: A form of folate, a B vitamin that helps the body make new cells. A critical vitamin for fetal development.

G

Gestational age: The age of a pregnancy measured in weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period.
Gestational diabetes: A type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy and usually goes away after birth, but requires careful monitoring of blood sugar levels.
Group B Streptococcus (GBS): A common type of bacteria that can be found in the body and potentially passed on to the baby during birth. In newborns, the infection can lead to neonatal sepsis and/or meningitis.
Genetic screening: Any of the diagnostic tests done during pregnancy to assess the risk of certain inherited conditions or chromosomal abnormalities in the baby.
Gravida: A term used to describe the total number of times a person has been pregnant, regardless of the outcome.
Growth scan: An ultrasound performed to check the baby’s size, development, and overall health during pregnancy.
Gynecologist: A medical doctor specializing in the overall well-being of female reproductive health.

H

Hormones (HCG, progesterone): Chemicals that help control pregnancy. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is the hormone detected in pregnancy tests, and progesterone helps maintain the pregnancy and support the baby’s growth.
Hypnobirthing: A childbirth method that uses breathing, relaxation, and visualization techniques to reduce fear and pain during labor.
Hemorrhoids: Swollen veins in the rectum area, common during pregnancy due to increased pressure in the pelvic area. They can be internal (in the lining of the anus) or external (under the skin around the anus), and often cause discomfort, itching, or bleeding.
Hyperemesis gravidarum: A severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy that can lead to dehydration and weight loss and may require medical treatment.
Home birth: A planned birth that takes place at a private residence instead of in a hospital, usually with the support of a midwife or trained birth professional.
Hemoglobin levels: A measure of the amount of oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells, checked during pregnancy to screen for anemia.

I

Induction: The process of medically starting labor using methods like medication or breaking the water when labor hasn’t begun on its own.
Implantation: When a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining, marking the beginning of pregnancy.
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR): Poor growth of the baby while in the womb, caused by placenta problems, multiple pregnancies or preeclampsia or eclampsia
Incompetent cervix: A condition where the cervix opens too early during pregnancy, which can increase the risk of preterm birth or miscarriage. Also known as ‘cervical insufficiency.’
Incision (C-section): A surgical cut made in the abdomen and uterus to deliver a baby during a Caesarean section.
Iron supplements: Pills or liquids taken to help increase iron levels in the blood, especially during pregnancy, to help prevent or treat anemia.

J

Jaundice (newborn): A common condition in newborns where the skin and eyes look yellow due to a buildup of bilirubin in the blood, usually treated with light therapy
Just-in-time education: Personalized information or guidance provided at the exact moment it’s needed, often used in prenatal care to help expectant parents understand what’s happening during each stage of pregnancy or birth.

K

Kick counts: A method of tracking how often a baby moves in the womb, frequently used in the third trimester to check on the baby’s health. Also called ‘fetal movement.’
Kegel exercises: Exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles can help with bladder control and recovery after childbirth.
Ketones: Substances that appear when the body breaks down fat for energy instead of carbs; during pregnancy, high levels can be a sign of dehydration or poor nutrition.
Karyotype testing: A lab test that analyzes the size, shape, and number of chromosomes to check for genetic problems, often done when there’s a concern about inherited conditions.
Kangaroo care: Skin-to-skin contact between a newborn and parent, usually by placing the baby on the bare chest to promote bonding, warmth, and health benefits.

L

Labor: The process the body goes through to give birth, including contractions, dilation of the cervix, and delivery of the baby.
Lochia: Postpartum vaginal bleeding and discharge, made up of blood, tissue, and mucus as the uterus heals.
Linea nigra: A dark vertical line that may appear on the belly during pregnancy due to hormonal changes; it usually fades after birth.
LMP (Last Menstrual Period): The first day of the most recent period, used by healthcare providers to estimate the due date and track pregnancy progress.
Lactation: The process of producing and releasing breast milk from the breasts after childbirth. Also known as ‘breastfeeding.’
Lightening (baby drops): When the baby moves lower into the pelvis in preparation for birth, it can often cause additional pressure in the pelvic region.

M

Miscarriage: The loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks, often due to natural causes.
Meconium: A newborn’s first poop, which is thick, sticky, and dark green, made up of things the baby swallowed in the womb.
Membrane sweep: A procedure where a doctor or midwife gently separates the membranes around the baby from the cervix to help induce labor if the baby is past due.
Midwife: A healthcare professional trained and certified to care for low-risk pregnancies during pregnancy, birth, and after delivery.
Maternal-fetal medicine: The branch of medicine focused on high-risk pregnancies.
Morning sickness: Nausea and sometimes vomiting that often happens in early pregnancy, not just in the morning.
Monozygotic twins: The medical term for identical twins. This means that both twins were born from one fertilized egg.
Multiples (twins, triplets): A pregnancy with more than one baby growing in the womb simultaneously.
Mucus plug: A thick clump of mucus that seals the cervix during pregnancy and helps protect against infection; it may come out as labor approaches.
Maternity leave: Time off from work taken by a parent before and/or after childbirth.
Milk letdown: The reflex that causes breast milk to flow from the milk ducts, often triggered by a baby sucking or even hearing a baby cry.

N

Nesting: A hormone-driven instinct to clean, organize and prepare the home for the arrival of the baby that some pregnant women experience.
Nausea: A queasy feeling in the stomach that can lead to vomiting, commonly experienced during early pregnancy.
Nuchal translucency scan: An optional ultrasound done in the first trimester that measures the fluid at the back of a baby’s neck to help assess the risk of certain genetic conditions.
NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit): A special hospital unit that cares for newborns born early, have health problems, or need extra medical attention.
NST (Non-Stress Test): A test that monitors the baby’s heart rate to see how it responds to movement, helping check the baby’s well-being during pregnancy.
Neonatal: Referring to the first 28 days of a baby’s life, a critical time for growth and development.
Natural birth: A vaginal delivery without the use of pain medication or medical interventions.

O

Obstetrician (OB): A medical doctor specializing in pregnancy, childbirth, and the health of the reproductive system during and after pregnancy.
Ovulation: The release of an egg from the ovary, which usually happens about halfway through the menstrual cycle and is the most fertile time.
Oxygen saturation: A measure of how much oxygen is in the blood, which is important for checking the health of both mother and baby.
Oligohydramnios: A condition with too little amniotic fluid around the baby in the womb, which may affect the baby’s growth or movement. Sometimes caused by post-term pregnancy (pregnancies that go longer than 42 weeks), high blood pressure, or other causes.

P

Placenta: An organ that forms during pregnancy to deliver oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the baby and remove waste.
Placenta previa: A condition where the placenta covers part or all of the cervix, which can cause bleeding and may require a C-section for delivery.
Preterm labor: Labor that begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy, which can lead to early delivery and may require medical care.
Postpartum: The period after childbirth when the body heals and adjusts, lasting about six weeks or longer.
Perineum: The area between the vagina and the anus, which stretches during childbirth and may tear or be cut to help the baby come out.
Prenatal vitamins: Special supplements taken during pregnancy that contain nutrients like folic acid, iron, and calcium to support the health of both mother and baby.
Preeclampsia: A pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure and signs of organ stress, which can be dangerous if not treated .
Progesterone: A female reproductive hormone produced in the ovaries that regulates the menstrual cycle and supports early pregnancy.
Pelvic floor: A group of muscles at the bottom of the pelvis that support the bladder, uterus, and bowels, and play a role in childbirth and recovery
Polyhydramnios: A condition where there is too much amniotic fluid around the baby, which may increase the risk of certain complications.

Q

Quickening: When the expectant mother can start to feel the baby move. It typically happens between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, but can occur as early as 13 weeks.

R

Round ligament pain: Sharp or aching pain in the lower belly or groin during pregnancy, caused by stretching ligaments that support the growing uterus.
Rh factor: A protein found on the surface of red blood cells, along with A and B antigens, determines blood type. If the expectant mother is Rh-negative and the baby is Rh-positive, it may lead to pregnancy complications.
Rupture of membranes: When the amniotic sac breaks and fluids leak, more commonly known as "water breaking."Usually signifies the start of labor.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS): A condition that causes an uncontrollable and often uncomfortable urge to move the legs, which is usually worse at night and can occur during pregnancy.
Reflux (baby): When an excess of milk or stomach acid comes back up into a baby’s throat or mouth after feeding, often causing spitting up or discomfort.
Resuscitation (newborn): Emergency help, such as oxygen and clearing airways, given to a newborn with trouble breathing or responding after birth.

S

Second trimester: The middle of pregnancy, from week 13 to 27. Sometimes referred to as the “golden trimester” due to the reduction in early pregnancy symptoms and increase in energy.
Stretch marks: Lines or streaks on the skin that appear as it stretches quickly during pregnancy. Often found on the belly, breasts, hips, or thighs.
Show (bloody show): Bloody discharge that contains trace amounts of mucus, which is the result of blood vessels rupturing in the cervix as it expands. Often precedes the loss of the mucus plug.
Skin-to-skin: Direct contact between a newborn and a parent’s bare chest, which helps with bonding, breastfeeding, and regulating the baby’s temperature and heart rate. Also called ‘kangaroo care.’
Spina bifida: A condition where the spine doesn’t fully close during early development, which can affect the baby’s nerves and mobility.
Spotting: Light bleeding from the vagina, usually lighter than a period, which can happen for various reasons during pregnancy and may or may not be a concern
Suction delivery: A type of assisted birth where a soft cup is placed on the baby’s head, and gentle suction helps guide the baby out during pushing. Also called ‘vacuum-assisted delivery.’
Surfactant: A substance made by a baby’s lungs that helps keep the air sacs open for breathing after birth, especially important for premature babies
Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD): Pain or discomfort in the pelvic joint caused by the loosening of ligaments during pregnancy, often felt in the hips, groin, or lower back.

T

Trimester: One of the three stages of pregnancy, each lasting approximately 12 weeks or three months; the first, second, and third trimesters.
Third stage of labor: The final part of labor, when the placenta is delivered after the baby is born
TENS machine: A Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine is a small device that sends mild electrical pulses through the skin to help reduce pain during labor
Toxoplasmosis: An infection caused by a parasite that can be harmful during pregnancy and is primarily spread through raw meat or cat litter.
Tearing: A rip in the skin or tissue around the vagina that can happen during childbirth as the baby comes out.
Transition phase: The most intense part of labor, just before pushing begins, when the cervix finishes dilating from 8 to 10 centimeters.
Tocolytics: Medications used to slow down or stop contractions and delay preterm labor by stopping uterine contractions.

U

Umbilical cord: The cord that connects the baby to the placenta, carrying oxygen and nutrients to the baby and removing waste. It is still attached when the baby is born and must be severed or fall off.
Ultrasound: A non-invasive scan that uses sound waves to create images of the baby inside the womb, helping monitor growth and development
Urinary tract infection (UTI): An infection in any part of the urinary tract caused by bacteria. UTIs are more common during pregnancy due to the changes in the uterus and bladder.
Uterus: The muscular organ in the pelvis where the baby grows during pregnancy, sometimes called the ‘womb.’
Urinalysis: A test of urine used to check for signs of infection, sugar levels, or other health conditions during pregnancy.

V

Vanishing twin syndrome: When one of two twins stops developing early in pregnancy and is absorbed by the body, often without causing symptoms or problems for the remaining baby
VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean): Giving birth vaginally after having had a previous C-section
Vernix caseosa: A white, creamy substance that develops in the third trimester and covers a baby’s skin in the womb. It may have multiple functions, including temperature regulation or as part of the baby’s innate immunity.
Vaginal birth: The natural delivery of a baby through the birth canal, without surgery.
Vaccinations in pregnancy: Immunizations given during pregnancy, like the flu or Tdap shot, that help protect both the mother and the baby from certain illnesses.
Varicose veins: Swollen, twisted veins often appear in the legs during pregnancy due to increased blood flow and pressure.
Viable: Able to survive outside the womb; in pregnancy, this usually means the baby has developed enough (typically around 24 weeks or later) to live with medical support if born early.
Vitamin D: An essential nutrient that supports bone health and the immune system, often recommended during pregnancy to help the baby’s growth.

W

Waters breaking: When the amniotic sac breaks, causing fluid to leak, which usually signifies the start of labor. Also called the ‘rupture of membranes.’
Weight gain: An increase in body weight during pregnancy as the body supports the growing baby, placenta, and extra fluids.
Womb: Another name for the uterus, the organ where the baby grows during pregnancy.
Walking epidural: A type of pain relief during labor that provides some numbness but allows enough movement to stand or walk, depending on the situation.

X

X-linked disorders: A collection of genetic conditions caused by a mutation on the X chromosome, often affecting males more seriously because they have only one X chromosome.
X-ray in pregnancy: An imaging technique that uses electromagnetic radiation to create images of the inside of the body. X-rays of the expectant mother’s lower abdomen or back, pelvis, or kidney may pose a threat to the fetus.