Key words

Afterbirth

The placenta. It provides the baby with food and oxygen. It’s attached to your baby by the umbilical cord.

Amniotic fluid

The liquid the baby floats in inside the uterus. Sometimes called ‘the waters’.

Amniotic sac

The bag holding the fluid and the baby inside the uterus.

Amniotomy

A midwife or doctor breaks the amniotic sac which holds the fluid and the baby inside the uterus.

Anaesthetist

A doctor who specialises in providing pain relief.

Anaemia

A deficiency in the number or quality of red blood cells.

Apnoea

The baby stops breathing and needs help to start again.

Augmentation

Medical treatment which may help labour to progress.

Birth canal

Vagina

Birth plan

A written plan which says what you would like to happen during labour and birth.

Braxton Hicks contractions

Contractions that some women feel in late pregnancy. They are not labour contractions – more like the body practising for labour.

Breech birth

When the baby is born feet or bottom first.

Caesarean section

An operation to deliver the baby. The doctor cuts the abdomen and uterus open to remove the baby.

Cervix

The neck of the uterus.

Contraction

When the muscles in the uterus (womb) tighten.

EDD or EDB

Estimated date of delivery (or estimated date of birth), also known as your “due date”.

Epidural

A type of anaesthetic that makes you numb below the waist.

Episiotomy

A surgical cut in the area between the mother’s vagina and anus that may be done during labour.

Fetus

The baby is known as a fetus after about the 12th week of pregnancy.

Forceps

Surgical instruments that fit around the baby’s head. They can be used to help the baby out of the vagina.

Hypertension

High blood pressure.

Induction

An intervention to start the labour rather than waiting for it to happen naturally.

Internal examination

The doctor or midwife puts two gloved fingers into the vagina to check on the progress of labour.

Intervention

Using a medical treatment or instrument to help in labour or birth (e.g. forceps or an induction).

Midwife

Health professional who cares for women and their babies during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period.

Neonatal

To do with the first 28 days after birth. ‘Neonatal care’ means care of newborn babies.

Neonatologist

Doctor who specialises in caring for newborn babies especially if the baby is unwell.

Obstetrician

Doctor who specialises in caring for women during pregnancy, labour and birth.

Paediatrician

Doctor who specialises in caring for babies and children.

Pelvic floor

A group of muscles which supports your uterus, bladder and bowel.

Perineum

The area between the vagina and anus.

Placenta

This provides the baby with food and oxygen while in the uterus. It is attached to the inside of your uterus at one end and at the other to the baby via its umbilical cord. It is also called the afterbirth.

Placenta praevia

When the placenta is close to or covers the cervix.

Postnatal (postpartum period)

The first six weeks after the baby is born.

Postpartum haemorrhage

Heavier than normal bleeding after giving birth.

Pre-eclampsia

Serious condition with symptoms of very high blood pressure, headaches and visual disturbances.

Premature

When a baby is born before the 37^th week of pregnancy.

Show

Passing the mucus ‘plug’ which seals the cervix.