Doula Vocabulary Words

Doula - Answer- a person who is trained to assist a woman during childbirth and who may provide support to the family after the baby is born. Midwife - Answer- a person qualified to deliver babies and to care for women before, during, and after childbirth. Obstetricians - Answer- Medical doctors who specialize in pregnancy and birth. Gestational diabetes - Answer- A type of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy. Braxton-Hicks contractions - Answer- Irregular contractions of the womb (the uterus) occurring towards the middle/ end of pregnancy. Also called false labor. Lamaze method - Answer- Natural childbirth method that focuses on relaxation and breathing techniques, using a focal point and an emotional coach. Rh Factor - Answer- When the type of protein in red blood cells do not match between the mother and baby. Pictocin - Answer- It can cause or strengthen labor contractions during childbirth, and control bleeding after childbirth. Amniotic Fluid - Answer- the serous fluid in which the embryo or fetus is suspended within the uterus. APGAR Score - Answer- an index used to evaluate the condition of a newborn infant based on a rating of 0, 1, or 2 for each of the five characteristics of color, heart rate, response to stimulation of the sole of the foot, muscle tone and respiration. 10 is a perfect score. This is usually performed in the delivery room right after the baby is born. Back Labor - Answer- Located in the lower back, pain and discomfort due to uterine contractions, which most commonly occurs with posterior presentation. Mucus Plug - Answer- blocks the opening of the cervix to prevent bacteria from entering the uterus. Is expelled before labor so that the cervix can open. It may be clear, slightly pink or blood tinged in color. It may be stringy mucus or sticky discharge. Some women may not even notice the loss of their mucus plug because there is already an increase in vaginal discharge during pregnancy. Billirubin - Answer- A common condition in newborns, jaundice refers to the yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is produced by the normal breakdown of red blood cells. Normally, bilirubin passes through the liver and is excreted as bile through the intestines. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin builds up faster than a newborn's liver can break it down and pass it from the body. Bishop Score - Answer- refers to a group of measurements used to determine a woman's readiness for labor. Bishop's Score is based on station, dilation, effacement, position and consistency. Breech - Answer- Usually a few weeks before birth, most babies will move into delivery position, with their head moving near the birth canal. If this does not happen, the baby's buttocks and/or feet, will be in place to be delivered first. This is called a breech presentation. Cervical Lip (also know as an Anterior Cervical Lip) - Answer- the entrapment of the final centimeter of cervix between the pelvic brim and the fetal head just prior to complete dilatation. Cervix - Answer- The neck of the uterus. This is what dilates to allow the baby to come out of the uterus. Contraction - Answer- the rhythmic tightening of the uterus, usually causing the cervix to dilate and allow the passage of the baby. In labor contractions get stronger, closer together and longer. Dilation - Answer- measured in centimeters, from 0 to 10. Your cervix is fully open and you should be able to push when it is dilated to 10 centimeters. Estimated Due Date - Answer- The expected date of confinement (pregnancy). The average pregnancy is calculated from the last menstrual period (LMP), by adding 280 days. Many pregnancies go beyond this time period or before this arbitrary date. Edema - Answer- swelling of any part of the body due to the collection of fluid in the tissues Effacement - Answer- Refers to the softening and thinning of the cervix. You won't feel this happening; it may only be measured with a vaginal exam. Effacement is measured in percent. Epidural - Answer- anesthesia used for labor, birth, cesarean section, and other procedures. It is an injection anesthetic into the space outside the dura mater enveloping the spinal cord. Enema - Answer- the infusion of a fluid into the rectum for cleansing. Fetal Monitor - Answer- ultrasound device used in labor and in non-stress testing to monitor the baby's heart rate and contractions. This device is secured to a belt and placed around mother's stomach during labor. Forceps - Answer- Metal tongs sometimes used to assist with the delivery of a baby. Fundus - Answer- The top of the uterus. Group B Strep - Answer- One of the numerous types of bacteria which can colonize the body. About 25% of women carry this bacteria in their vagina or rectum without symptoms. Towards the end of your pregnancy you'll be tested for Group B Strep. If your doctor finds presence of it, you will be treated with antibiotics during labor. This is done to prevent a Group B Strep infection in your newborn. Hemorrhoids - Answer- Varicose veins of the rectum. Hypertension - Answer- High arterial blood pressure, in adults, usually defined as pressures exceeding 140/90. Hypotension - Answer- Low blood pressure. Can cause dizziness and even periods of fainting. Hep Lock (Heparin Lock) - Answer- The saline or heparin lock is a type of vein access that is used for many low risk mothers in labor at a hospital. It allows immediate access to the vein in the event of a complication or to deliver IV fluids or medications. Kegel - Answer- This is a pelvic floor exercise designed to exercise the pubococcygeal muscle (PC muscle). This muscle is a part of your perineum and a well toned PC muscle can help prevent urinary incontinence, the need for episiotomy, help with giving birth to your baby and even heighten sexual pleasure. Meconium - Answer- The dark green intestinal contents formed before birth and present in a newborn. Perineum - Answer- The area between the external genitalia and the anus. Placenta - Answer- The organ within the pregnant uterus through which the fetus derives its nourishment; at term it averages one-sixth the weight of the fetus; is is disk-shaped, about 2.5 cm thick, and 17.5 cm in diameter. Posterior Presentation - Answer- When a baby is head-down but facing your abdomen, he's said to be in the occiput posterior (OP) position — or posterior position, for short. The term refers to the fact that the back of your baby's skull (the occipital bone) is in the back (or posterior) of your pelvis.