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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
