{"id":563,"date":"2017-08-09T16:26:29","date_gmt":"2017-08-09T16:26:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mudpielullaby.com\/?p=563"},"modified":"2017-09-23T03:41:33","modified_gmt":"2017-09-23T03:41:33","slug":"pregnancy-dictionary-terminology-birth-class","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mudpielullaby.com\/pregnancy-dictionary-terminology-birth-class\/","title":{"rendered":"A Pregnancy Dictionary — All The Terminology You Want To Familiarize Yourself With"},"content":{"rendered":"
Getting ready for birth class? I’m so glad to hear it! Everybody should spend time being educated and prepared for the birth process!<\/p>\n
Hopefully, your class will include introductory terminology before jumping into the processes of labor and birth and understanding the postpartum phase, but in case they don’t, I thought I’d give you a run down on terms you have probably been hearing in prenatal appointments, and will definitely hear during your childbirth education course.<\/p>\n
To search this page for a specific term, hold down your “control” key and press “f”, then type the term you are searching for. It will be highlighted on the page.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
Anatomy – Your Pregnant Body<\/h2>\nImage by HA! Designs – Artbyheather on flikr with creative commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Uterus<\/strong> – The muscular organ located above and behind the bladder that expands during pregnancy to hold and protect your growing baby. When not pregnant it is the size of a small piece of fruit and works with your ovaries on a monthly cycle to maintain a healthy hormone cycle and production.<\/li>\n
Fundus<\/strong> – the top of the uterus. \u00a0“fundal height” is a measurement from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus and is used to measure uterine growth.<\/li>\n
Cervix<\/strong> – the bottom of the uterus, which is thickened and closed into a tight “neck” during pregnancy, but stretches out and becomes like the rest of the uterine wall during labor.<\/li>\n
Vagina<\/strong> – the canal that is an opening in your body that allows sperm to enter the uterus before pregnancy, and allows baby to exit the body during birth.<\/li>\n
Perinium<\/strong>\u00a0– the span of skin between the anus and the vaginal opening.<\/li>\n
Placenta<\/strong> – a temporary organ that attaches to the wall of the uterus to filter and supply the baby’s blood by pulling vital nutrients and oxygen from the mother’s blood and passing them to the baby. Usually around 1.5 pounds and 6-8″ across by full term. The placenta is also responsible for a great deal of hormone production and acts as a part of the endocrine system.<\/li>\n
Amniotic Membranes<\/strong> – the “amniotic sac<\/strong>” that is made up of a double layer of semi transparent\u00a0tissue. \u00a0The outer layer of tissue connects to the placenta, but the membranes work together to surround baby.<\/li>\n
“Water<\/strong>” – Amniotic Fluid<\/strong> – This is the fluid buffer that surrounds baby — typically around a quart of fluid is contained in the sac. It acts as an incredible\u00a0cushioning system for the baby. It is clear, and protects baby.<\/li>\n
Mucus Plug<\/strong> – When pregnancy is established a thick layer of mucus seals the neck of the uterus (the cervix) from microorganisms and infections.<\/li>\n
Round Ligaments<\/strong> – These ligaments that attach to the wall of your abdomen and stretch down to your labia and keep the uterus pulled downward and forward can be annoying boogers during pregnancy. When not pregnant, they are around 2″ long, but during pregnancy, they are eventually stretch up to as much as 12″. “Round Ligament Pain” is a common irritation during pregnancy and something to discuss with your caregiver.<\/li>\n
Uterosacral Ligaments<\/strong> – These attach from the sides of the uterus and go back to the sacrum (a small bone at the base of your spine). These can also be a cause of pain, typically low back pain, at the later stages of pregnancy as the weight of the uterus pulls them forward.<\/li>\n
Pelvis<\/strong> – The bone structure that attaches your legs and hips to your spine — the pelvis was designed with a structure that can shift and change to allow baby’s head to work its way through.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Stages of Pregnancy<\/h2>\n
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Gestation<\/strong> – the full period of time from the first day of the fertile cycle in which you conceived until the time of birth. The average gestation period of humans is 40 weeks.<\/li>\n
Due Date<\/strong> – the approximate point when your body will have reached the average gestation period of 40 weeks. Based on first day of last period OR conception date.<\/li>\n
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