Pregnancy Glossary
Every medical term you'll hear during pregnancy — explained in plain English.
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Trying to Conceive & Fertility
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🔤 All Terms A–Z
Amniotic Fluid
Protective fluid surrounding the baby in the womb
Amniotic Sac
The fluid-filled sac that surrounds and protects the baby
Amniocentesis
Prenatal test sampling amniotic fluid to detect chromosomal abnormalities
Apgar Score
Quick assessment of a newborn's health at 1 and 5 minutes after birth
AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone)
A hormone that reflects ovarian reserve — how many eggs remain
Anovulation
A menstrual cycle in which no egg is released
Afterbirth (Third Stage of Labor)
Delivery of the placenta after the baby is born
Anemia in Pregnancy
Low hemoglobin levels during pregnancy, most commonly iron-deficiency anemia
Augmentation of Labor
Stimulating contractions in labor that has stalled or is too slow
Active Labor
When contractions are strong, regular, and cervix dilates from 6–10 cm
Active Management of Third Stage (AMTSL)
A package of interventions to reduce postpartum hemorrhage after delivery
Braxton Hicks Contractions
Irregular "practice" contractions that are not true labor
BBT (Basal Body Temperature)
Your resting temperature, which rises slightly after ovulation
Blastocyst
A fertilized egg 5–6 days after conception, ready to implant
Baby Blues
Mild, brief mood changes in the first 1–2 weeks after birth
Biophysical Profile (BPP)
An ultrasound + NST test assessing fetal well-being in the third trimester
Birth Plan
A written outline of your preferences for labor, delivery, and newborn care
Bloody Show
Blood-tinged mucus discharge signaling the cervix is preparing for labor
Breech Presentation
When the baby is positioned feet- or bottom-first instead of head-down
Blighted Ovum (Anembryonic Pregnancy)
A fertilized egg that implants but the embryo never develops
Cervical Effacement
Thinning and shortening of the cervix before and during labor
Cervical Dilation
Opening of the cervix measured in centimeters during labor
Cervix
The lower, narrow end of the uterus that opens into the vagina
Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
Early prenatal test sampling placental tissue for chromosomal analysis
Chromosomes
Thread-like structures carrying genetic information
Colostrum
The first milk produced after birth, rich in antibodies
Contractions
Tightening of the uterine muscles that help push the baby out
Crowning
When the baby's head becomes visible at the vaginal opening during delivery
Cervical Mucus
Vaginal discharge that changes texture around ovulation to indicate fertility
Chemical Pregnancy
A very early pregnancy loss, often before a missed period
Corpus Luteum
The structure left after ovulation that produces progesterone
Cesarean Section (C-Section)
Surgical delivery of the baby through incisions in the abdomen and uterus
Cord Blood Banking
Collecting and storing stem cells from the umbilical cord after birth
Calcium
A mineral essential for fetal bone development — needed in higher amounts during pregnancy
Cerclage (Cervical Stitch)
A stitch placed in the cervix to prevent premature dilation in women at risk
Down Syndrome
A chromosomal condition caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21
Doula
A trained birth companion who provides non-medical support during labor
Due Date (EDD)
The estimated date of delivery, typically 40 weeks from the last menstrual period
Delayed Cord Clamping (DCC)
Waiting 30–60+ seconds to cut the umbilical cord after birth
Diastasis Recti
Separation of the abdominal muscles during or after pregnancy
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
An omega-3 fatty acid critical for fetal brain and eye development
Eclampsia
A severe complication of preeclampsia involving seizures
Effacement
Thinning of the cervix in preparation for labor
Embryo
The developing baby from fertilization through week 8
Epidural
Regional anesthesia injected into the epidural space to relieve labor pain
Episiotomy
A surgical cut made to enlarge the vaginal opening during delivery
Endometrium
The lining of the uterus that thickens each cycle and sheds as menstruation
Endometriosis
A condition where uterine-lining tissue grows outside the uterus, affecting fertility
EWCM (Egg White Cervical Mucus)
Fertile-quality cervical mucus — clear, stretchy, like raw egg whites
Ectopic Pregnancy
A pregnancy implanted outside the uterus — most often in a fallopian tube
External Cephalic Version (ECV)
A procedure to manually turn a breech baby head-down before labor
Fetal Heart Rate
The baby's heartbeat monitored during pregnancy and labor
Fetal Movement
Baby's kicks, rolls, and movements felt by the mother
Fetus
The developing baby from week 9 until birth
Fontanelle
Soft spot on a baby's head where skull bones have not yet fused
Forceps
Surgical instrument used to assist in delivering the baby during labor
Fallopian Tube
The tube that carries the egg from the ovary to the uterus where fertilization occurs
Fertile Window
The ~6 days each cycle when pregnancy is possible
Fertilization
When a sperm successfully penetrates and unites with an egg
Follicle (Ovarian)
The fluid-filled sac in the ovary that contains a developing egg
Follicular Phase
The first half of the menstrual cycle when a follicle develops
FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)
A hormone that stimulates egg development; elevated levels can indicate reduced ovarian reserve
Folic Acid
A B vitamin critical for preventing neural tube defects — take before and during pregnancy
Fundal Height
A measurement from pubic bone to the top of the uterus to estimate fetal growth
First Trimester
Weeks 1–13 of pregnancy — when all major organs form
Gestational Age
The age of the pregnancy measured in weeks from the last menstrual period
Gestational Diabetes
Diabetes that develops during pregnancy due to insulin resistance
Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)
Screening test for gestational diabetes done around 24–28 weeks
Group B Streptococcus (GBS)
A common bacteria screened for late in pregnancy that can affect newborns
Implantation
When the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall
Induction of Labor
Medically stimulating labor to begin before it starts naturally
Implantation Bleeding
Light spotting that can occur when a fertilized egg embeds in the uterus
IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)
A fertility treatment where prepared sperm are placed directly into the uterus
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)
A procedure where eggs are fertilized outside the body and transferred to the uterus
IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction)
When a baby grows more slowly than expected inside the womb
Iron
An essential mineral in pregnancy — needed for increased blood volume and fetal development
Linea Nigra
A dark vertical line that appears on the abdomen during pregnancy
LMP (Last Menstrual Period)
The first day of your last period — used to calculate your due date
Lochia
Vaginal discharge after childbirth as the uterus heals
LH Surge
The hormone spike that triggers ovulation 24–48 hours later
Luteal Phase
The second half of the cycle after ovulation, when progesterone rises
Luteal Phase Defect (LPD)
An abnormally short luteal phase that may prevent implantation
Lanugo
Fine, downy hair that covers the fetus and may still be present at birth
Macrosomia
A baby significantly larger than average (over 8 lbs 13 oz at birth)
Meconium
A baby's first stool, which can sometimes appear in amniotic fluid before birth
Midwife
A trained healthcare professional specializing in pregnancy and childbirth care
Miscarriage
Loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks
Morning Sickness
Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, most common in the first trimester
Mucus Plug
A thick plug of mucus that seals the cervix during pregnancy
Mittelschmerz
One-sided lower abdominal pain at the time of ovulation
Mastitis
An infection of breast tissue causing pain, swelling, and flu-like symptoms
Membrane Stripping (Sweeping)
A procedure where the provider separates the amniotic membranes from the cervix to encourage labor
Melasma (Chloasma)
Dark patches on the face caused by increased pigmentation during pregnancy
Missed Miscarriage (Silent Miscarriage)
A pregnancy loss with no symptoms — discovered at an ultrasound
Neural Tube Defect
Birth defects affecting the brain or spinal cord
Non-Stress Test (NST)
A prenatal test monitoring fetal heart rate in response to movement
Nuchal Translucency (NT) Scan
An ultrasound measuring fluid at the back of the baby's neck to screen for chromosomal conditions
Nesting Instinct
A surge of energy and urge to clean and organize before birth
NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
A specialized unit for premature or sick newborns needing intensive medical care
Obstetrician (OB/GYN)
A doctor specializing in pregnancy, childbirth, and women's reproductive health
Oxytocin
The hormone that triggers uterine contractions — also used medically as Pitocin
OPK (Ovulation Predictor Kit)
A urine test strip that detects the LH surge to predict ovulation
Ovarian Reserve
The number and quality of eggs remaining in the ovaries
Ovulation
The release of a mature egg from the ovary — once per cycle
Oligohydramnios
Abnormally low amniotic fluid levels during pregnancy
Perineum
The area of tissue between the vagina and anus that may stretch or tear during birth
Pitocin
Synthetic oxytocin used to induce or strengthen labor contractions
Placenta
The organ connecting mother and baby, providing nutrients and oxygen
Placenta Previa
A condition where the placenta covers the cervical opening
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
A mood disorder affecting mothers after childbirth, more severe than "baby blues"
Preeclampsia
A pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure and organ damage
Prenatal Vitamins
Supplements containing folic acid, iron, DHA, and other nutrients critical for pregnancy
Preterm Labor
Labor beginning before 37 weeks of pregnancy
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
A hormonal disorder causing irregular cycles and often affecting fertility
Progesterone
The hormone produced after ovulation that maintains pregnancy in early weeks
Pelvic Floor
The muscles supporting the bladder, bowel, and uterus — key to recovery after birth
Polyhydramnios
Excess amniotic fluid during pregnancy
Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH)
Excessive bleeding after delivery, the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide
PPROM (Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes)
Water breaking before 37 weeks, often requiring hospital monitoring
Preterm Birth
Birth before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy
Perineal Tear
A tear in the tissue between the vagina and anus during delivery
Sperm Count / Semen Analysis
A test measuring sperm quantity, motility, and morphology — key for male fertility
Skin-to-Skin Contact (Kangaroo Care)
Placing the newborn directly on the parent's bare chest after birth
Spina Bifida
A neural tube defect where the spinal column does not close completely
Stretch Marks (Striae Gravidarum)
Pink or purple lines on skin caused by rapid stretching during pregnancy
Shoulder Dystocia
When the baby's shoulder gets stuck behind the pubic bone during delivery
Second Trimester
Weeks 14–27 of pregnancy — often called the "honeymoon trimester"
Third Trimester
Weeks 28–40 of pregnancy — the final stage before birth
Trimester
One of three stages of pregnancy, each approximately 13 weeks long
Two-Week Wait (2WW)
The waiting period between ovulation and when a pregnancy test is accurate
TTC (Trying to Conceive)
Common shorthand for actively trying to become pregnant
Transverse Lie
When the baby is lying sideways across the uterus instead of head- or feet-first
Transition (Labor)
The most intense phase of labor — cervix dilating from 8–10 cm
Ultrasound
Imaging using sound waves to visualize the baby and uterus during pregnancy
Umbilical Cord
The cord connecting the baby to the placenta, delivering nutrients and oxygen
Uterus
The muscular organ where the baby develops during pregnancy
Urinary Incontinence in Pregnancy
Leaking urine when coughing, sneezing, or laughing — very common during pregnancy