Labor & Delivery
Terms
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- Amnioinfusion
- Infusion of warm sterile saline into the uterus in an attempt to increase the fluid around the umbilical cord to prevent cord compression during labor contractions; also used to dilute thick meconium-stained amniotic fluid.
- Amniotomy
- Artificial Rupture of Membranes. Pitocin/Oxytocin/Cervidil/Cytotec
- Augmentation of labor
- Bishop score
- A prelabor scoring system to assist in predicting whether an induction of labor may be successful.
- Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD)
- A condition in which the fetal head is of such a shape or size, or in such a position, that it cannot pass through the pelvis.
- Cesarean Section
- Birth of a fetus accomplished by performing a surgical incision through the abdomen & uterus.
- Dystocia
- Difficult labor. Fetal or pelvic factors.
- External (cephalic) Version (ECV)
- Procedure involving external manipulation of the abdomen to change the presentation of the fetus from breech to cephalic.
- Hypertonic uterine dysfunction
- No dilation or enfacement with contractions.
- Hypotonic uterine dysfunction
- Weak ineffective contractions
- Induction of Labor
- The process of causing or initiating labor by use of medication or surgical rupture of membranes.
- Labor graph (Friedman’s curve)
- Cervical dilation at a steady pace.
- Malpresentation
- A presentation of the fetus into the birth canal that is not "normal" - that is, brown, face, shoulder, or breech presentation.
- Malposition
- Abnormal position of the fetus in the birth canal.
- Precipitate Labor
- Labor lasting less than 3 hours.
- Premature labor
- Regular contractions between 20
- Tocolytic agents
- Medications that are used to stop contractions. Magnesium Sulfate, Brethine, Ritodrine
- Trial of labor (TOL)
- Uterine Inversion
- Prolapse of the uterine fundus through the cervix and into the vagina. May occur prior to or during expulsion of the placenta; associated with massive hemorrhage, requiring emergency treatment.
- Uterine rupture
- Tearing of the muscle wall of the uterus.
- VBAC
- Vaginal birth after cesarean
- Precipitous Birth
- Rapid progression of labor. Also can be a birth in which no physician is in attendance.