Abruptio placentae
Very occasionally the placenta becomes partially or completely detached from the wall of the uterus before the baby is born. This can cause sudden bleeding which may put the mother and baby at risk. It is important to get medical aid immediately.

Acceleration of labour
Occasionally labour slows down or stops, but can be speeded up with the use of the synthetic hormone syntocinon given by an intravenous drip into a vein in the mother's arm.

Afterpains
After the baby is born the womb, or uterus, shrinks back to almost the same size as it was before pregnancy. Breastfeeding helps this process as the hormones produced while feeding also make the uterus contract. Afterpains tend to be stronger with second and later babies and some women need to take paracetamol to help them cope with the pains for the first few days.

Alpha fetoprotein (AFP)
This is a protein produced by the baby which is also found in the amniotic fluid and crosses into the mother's blood. The level of AFP can be checked in a sample of the mother's blood, and used for antenatal screening. Unexpectedly high or low levels can be an indication of certain conditions such as spina bifida or Down's syndrome.

Amniotic fluid
The baby floats inside the amniotic sac, a double walled sac filled with amniotic fluid. This watery environment protects the baby as he grows and allows him to move around freely. Too much or too little amniotic fluid can indicate a problem with the baby. Some of the baby's cells are present in the amniotic fluid so if necessary a sample of the fluid can be taken and checked to detect certain conditions in the baby such as Down's syndrome. See Amniocentesis.

Anal fissure
A small tear or crack in the lining of the back passage caused by bruising during the birth. The main symptom is a sharp pain on opening the bowels. A high fibre diet, plenty of fluids and suppositories to coat the lining of the back passage will all help to heal it.

Apgar
An assessment of the baby's general wellbeing, carried out immediately after birth and again 5 minutes later. The baby's condition is given a score out of 10. Any baby with a low Apgar will be seen by a paediatrician.

Artificial rupture of membranes (ARM)
To speed up or induce labour the bag of waters may be broken by the midwife using a hooked instrument. This is often carried out in conjunction with a drip of a synthetic hormone into the arm to stimulate contractions.

Assisted delivery
A baby who is taking a long time to be born, or is showing signs of distress, may need assistance to speed up the birth. Forceps and ventouse are the two main ways of assisting a delivery.

Baby blues
A temporary feeling of weepiness that many women experience around three days after the birth. It is triggered by hormonal changes.

BP or bp
Refers to blood pressure and is usually written as bp 120/70 with the two figures showing the 'active' and 'resting' levels. Raised blood pressure can be a sign of pre-eclampsia.

Braxton Hicks contractions
Mild, irregular contractions which occur as the uterus gets into practice during the weeks leading up to the birth.

Breech presentation
The baby who sits bottom down rather than head down in the uterus is said to be in a breech position. Breech births can be quite difficult and some, though not all, doctors advise delivering breech babies by Caesarean section. Often babies sit in the breech position in mid pregnancy but turn to the head down position later on.

Brow/face presentation
Usually the baby tucks his chin down onto his chest, so that the back of his head is born first. This gives the best fit through the birth canal. Occasionally a baby will extend his neck so that his brow or face is the leading part. This can slow labour down and may mean a Caesarean section is necessary.

Cephalic presentation
The baby is in a head down position, the most usual position to be born.

Cephalopelvic disproportion
This is a medical term which means that the baby's head cannot pass through the mother's pelvis. This may be because the mother's pelvis is too small or sometimes it is because the baby's head is not in the best position. It usually means that a Caesarean section is necessary.

Cervix
The neck or opening of the uterus, which protrudes down into the top of the vagina and opens up during the first stage of labour to let the baby through.

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
Chorionic villus sampling is an antenatal screening test for genetic conditions such as Down's syndrome. A sample of the placenta is removed using a fine needle guided by ultrasound. It is usually carried out at about 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Colostrum
This is the milky fluid secreted from the breasts soon after birth which is very concentrated and contains antibodies and anti-infective agents to protect your baby. Some women notice that a little colostrum leaks from their breasts during pregnancy.

Contractions
The muscles of the uterus contract to open up the cervix when the baby is ready to be born. These tightenings are called contractions and are felt as pains that come and go at regular intervals. They may feel like period pains, backache, or as strong pulling pains low down at the front of the bump.

Crowning
The point in labour at which the widest part of the baby's head is coming through the exit of the vagina.

Deep transverse arrest
Occasionally there is a delay in the second stage of labour because the baby's head has not turned completely, and he has become caught up on two bony protrusions inside the mother's pelvis. The baby has to be pushed back slightly and turned before he can be delivered. This is usually done with forceps.

Dilation
The progressive opening up of the cervix during the first stage of labour from 0 to 10cm.

Domino
This stands for DOmicillary IN Out. It is a form of antenatal care, available in some areas, where the community midwife (the Domicillary bit) takes the mother into hospital, delivers her there herself and takes her home again as soon as she is ready.

Doppler
An ultrasound device, usually hand held, that picks up the heartbeat of the baby

Fallopian tubes
Part of the female reproductive system. The eggs produced in the ovaries have to travel down the fallopian tubes before embedding in the lining of the uterus. Occasionally a fertilised egg will embed in the tube, causing an ectopic pregnancy.

Fetal blood sampling (FBS)
If a baby appears to be in distress during labour a small amount of blood can be taken and checked. This is a more reliable method of assessing the baby's condition than using a belt monitor alone which can only indicate that the baby may be in distress.

Fetal distress
Sometimes the strength of labour contractions can reduce the baby's oxygen supply, causing the baby to become distressed. This is usually indicated by a persistently abnormal heartbeat or an irregular rhythm.

Fetus
From 10 weeks onwards the baby is called a fetus. Before this the baby is called an embryo.

First stage
The time from the beginning of labour until the cervix is fully dilated to 10cm. The first stage can vary from a few hours to 12 hours or more.

Fontanelles
The two soft spots on a newborn's head where the skull bones do not yet meet.

Forceps
A pair of hollow blades, rather like large salad servers, which are placed either side of the baby's head to assist with the birth. When this happens, it is known as a forceps delivery.

Fundus
The top of the uterus. The height of the fundus is sometimes measured to help determine the length of the pregnancy.

Haemorrhage
Sudden and severe bleeding. In pregnancy it is usually called antepartum haemorrhage and after the birth it is called postpartum haemorrhage. Any bleeding in pregnancy should be reported to a doctor or midwife. Spotting or slight bleeding is not unusual in early pregnancy and not usually an emergency. Sudden bleeding, especially if accompanied by signs of shock - pale skin, sweating, feeling faint and a weak pulse - all indicate a medical emergency. Call an ambulance and/or doctor straight away.

Hb
This stands for haemoglobin, the red pigment in blood cells which allows the cells to transport oxygen around the body. Low haemoglobin levels may cause anaemia.

Hyperventilation
This occurs when breathing becomes too shallow or too fast, causing dizziness and feelings of faintness. In labour it can upset the baby's blood gases so that he does not breathe readily at birth. It can be reduced by breathing slowly and steadily into cupped hands or a paper bag to help rebalance the blood gases.

Induction
A medical stimulus to get labour started. Induction may be necessary, for example, if the mother has pre-eclampsia or is overdue.

Inverted nipples
Nipples that do not protrude when cold or during sexual stimulation. A baby can still breastfeed from an inverted nipple and often breastfeeding itself will help the nipples protrude.

Ketones
These are substances found in the blood which show that the body has used up all the available carbohydrate for energy and has begun to utilise protein instead. Often a woman in labour with ketones in her blood will feel shaky and weak, and labour can slow down. Eating little and often in early labour can help prevent this happening. Some hospitals put up a glucose drip if a blood test shows that ketones are present.

Lanugo
A fine covering of tiny hairs over the baby's body at birth. Premature babies often have a great deal of this fine hair which eventually falls out.

Lie
The position of the baby in the uterus.

Lithotomy position
A position used for assisted deliveries, where the mother lies flat on her back with her legs raised and apart, supported by stirrups.

LOA or LOP
Describes the position of the baby in the uterus. The L stands for left, O stands for occipito, the part of the baby that will be born first (usually the back of the head), A for anterior or towards the front and P for posterior or towards the back. So LOA means the baby is lying on the mother's left, the back of his head is coming first and his back is turned towards the front of the mother or, if LOP, towards the back of the mother. (See ROA or ROP)

Lochia
For a couple of weeks or more after the birth the woman loses a mixture of blood and mucus through the vagina, like a very heavy period at first but lessening over time. It generally begins as a bright red discharge and gradually turns a brownish colour. Some women find it becomes bright red again if they are too active too soon.

Meconium
In the uterus the baby's bowel is lined with a thick black tarry substance called meconium. Usually the first few nappies after the birth are full of this substance. Occasionally a baby in distress will empty his bowels before birth. If he then inhales amniotic fluid as he is born, the meconium can damage his lungs. If the amniotic waters are meconium stained the baby will be carefully monitored.

Moulding
The compression and overlapping of the bones of the baby's skull during the birth process. It is a normal response to labour and not dangerous to the baby.

Multigravida
A mother having a second or subsequent baby.

Obstetric cholestatis
A liver disease which causes a pregnant women to experience widespread and severe itching. Other symptoms can include pale or white stools, dark urine, stomach pain and jaundice. A blood test can be used to help identify the condition. It is usual to delivery the baby early as the risk of stillbirth is high after 38 weeks gestation. Localised itching, especially over the abdomen, is common in pregnancy and not linked to this condition.

Oedema
Some retention of fluids during pregnancy is usual and can lead to swelling, noticeably of the hands and feet. This is called oedema. Severe oedema can be one of the indicators of pre-eclampsia.

Oxytocin
The hormone secreted by women when they are in labour which stimulates labour contractions. The same hormone also stimulates milk flow from the breasts by contracting the muscle fibres in the milk ducts.

Pelvic floor
The sling of muscles that forms the soft tissue base to the bony pelvis. These muscles are stretched by childbirth and need to be exercised regularly both during and after pregnancy to improve their tone. See pelvic floor exercises.

Perineal block
A local anaesthetic given before an episiotomy is carried out.

Perineum
The triangular area of skin and underlying muscles between the vagina and the anus.

Pessary
A plug containing medication inserted into the vagina. In labour prostaglandin pessaries are used to induce labour.

Pethidine
A form of pain relief given by injection into the thigh or bottom. Pethidine usually makes women in labour sleepy and very relaxed. It can make the baby slow to breathe when he is born, in which case he may need an antidote.

Pica
A craving for specific and often unusual foods or food combinations during pregnancy. Some experts think that these cravings may indicates that the mother isn't eating a healthy, balanced diet.

Placenta
The organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy to transfer nourishment and oxygen to the baby from the mother's system, and to take away the baby's waste matter.

Placenta praevia
The placenta lies partly or completely over the cervix, instead of on the upper wall of the uterus. If the placenta remains in this position the baby will need to be born by Caesarean section. A placenta that partly covers the cervix in early pregnancy usually moves up and away as the uterus grows.

Postnatal depression
A form of depression which some women suffer from in the weeks or months after the baby is born. See Postnatal depression.

Postpartum
After the birth.

Presenting part (presentation)
The part of the baby coming first through the birth canal.

Primagravida
A woman having her first baby.

Prolapsed cord
Usually the baby's cord is born along with the baby and it continues to supply oxygen to the baby until it is clamped and cut. Occasionally the cord slips down in front of the baby and the oxygen supply to the baby is reduced or cut off. This can happen with a breech baby or with a transverse or unstable lie. This is a medical emergency and the baby has be delivered very quickly, usually by an emergency Caesarean section.

Prostaglandin
A natural substance used in pessaries to soften the cervix and stimulate the start of labour.

Pudendal block
A local anaesthetic given to block pain around the cervix and vagina before using forceps.

Puerperal psychosis
A rare and extreme form of postnatal depression in which the woman hears voices and suffers delusions.

ROA or ROP
Describes the position of the baby in the mother's uterus. The R stands for right, O stands for occipito, the part of the baby that will be born first (usually the back of the head), A for anterior or towards the front and P for posterior or towards the back. So ROA means the baby is lying on the mother's right, the back of his head is coming first and his back is turned towards the front of the mother or, if ROP, towards the back of the mother.

Second stage
The time from full dilation of the cervix to the moment when the baby is outside the mother's body. Pushing during the second stage can last from a few minutes up to a couple of hours.

Show
A show is when the thick mucus which plugs the narrow channel of the cervix during pregnancy comes away. It is a sign that the body is getting ready for labour.

Spinal
A regional anaesthetic inserted in the lower back which gives complete numbing very quickly. Usually used for a Caesarean section.

Stretch and sweep
A traditional method of trying to nudge the body into labour when overdue. The doctor or midwife does an internal examination and attempts to stretch the cervix and sweep a finger around the membranes. Sometimes this is enough to get labour going if the cervix is ripe.

Syntocinon
A synthetic form of the hormone oxytocin which women produce when in labour. The synthetic version is sometimes given to women in a drip if they are not producing enough naturally to keep labour progressing.

TENS
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, a device for relieving the pain of labour. Sticky pads are attached to the woman's back to produce electrical impulses which stimulate her own natural painkillers and block some of the pain signals from the uterus. The unit is battery operated and the woman can control the amount of stimulation herself with a push button device and a variable control dial.

Third stage
Delivery of the placenta or afterbirth.

Transition
The tough-going, final part of the first stage of labour, when the mother may begin to feel the urge to push*. Contractions may come thick and fast and can feel very hard to cope with.

Transverse lie
A baby who is lying across the uterus horizontally, rather than vertically. In this position the baby cannot be born and there is a high risk of the cord prolapsing.

Trial of labour
A woman with known complications, for example a previous Caesarean birth, may be given a trial of labour to see if she is able to give birth naturally. After a certain time, if labour fails to progress satisfactorily and it seems unlikely that the baby can be delivered safely through the vagina, she will be offered a Caesarean.

Ultrasound scan
A screening or diagnostic technique in which very high frequency sound waves are passed into the body, and the reflected echoes are detected and analysed to build a picture of the internal organs or of a fetus in the uterus. See Ultrasound scans.

Umbilical cord
The thick cord of intertwining blood vessels that links baby and placenta, and carries oxygen and nourishment to the baby.

Unstable lie
The baby changes position often and cannot be considered to be in any definite position.

Uterus or womb
The hollow muscular organ in which the baby lives until birth.

VBAC
Vaginal birth after Caesarean.

Ventouse
A device using a vacuum cup which the obstetrician fixes onto the baby's head to help pull him down through the last stretch of the birth canal. Ventouse is an alternative to forceps.

Vernix
The white waxy substance that coats a baby's skin while in the uterus. It can sometimes still be seen after the birth, especially around the creases in the baby's skin.