Paul M. Insel,
Stanford University School of Medicine
Walton T. Roth,
Stanford University School of Medicine
| preconception care | Health care in preparation for pregnancy.
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| fetus | The developmental stage of a human from the 9th week after conception to the moment of birth.
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| conception | The fusion of ovum and sperm, resulting in a fertilized egg.
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| fertilization | The initiation of biological reproduction: the union of the nucleus of an egg cell with the nucleus of a sperm cell.
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| ovary | One of the two female reproductive organs that produce ova (eggs) and sex hormones.
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| *follicle | One of many saclike structures within the ovary in which eggs mature.
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| uterus | The hollow, thick-walled, muscular organ in which the fertilized egg develops; the womb.
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| endometrium | The mucous membrane that forms the inner lining of the cavity of the uterus.
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| fertilized egg | The egg after penetration by a sperm; a zygote.
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| testis | One of two male reproductive organs; the testes are the site of sperm production.
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| gene | A package of chemical instructions, or hereditary material, that defines an individual's unique traits.
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| fraternal twins | Twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs; not genetically identical.
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| identical twins | Twins who develop from the division of a single zygote; genetically identical.
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| infertility | The inability to conceive after trying for a year or more.
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| trimester | One of the three 3-month periods of pregnancy.
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| human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) | A hormone produced by the fertilized egg that can be detected in the urine or blood of the mother within a few weeks of conception.
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| artificial (intrauterine) insemination | The introduction of semen into the vagina by artificial means, usually by syringe.
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| in vitro fertilization (IVF) | Combining egg and sperm outside the body and inserting the fertilized egg into the uterus.
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| gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) | Surgically introducing eggs and sperm into the fallopian tube prior to fertilization.
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| zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) | Surgically introducing a fertilized egg into the fallopian tube.
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| cloning | Asexual reproduction in which offspring are genetically identical to one parent. DNA from the cell of one animal is transferred to an egg from which DNA has been removed; the egg is then placed in a surrogate and develops as though it were an embryo derived from two parents.
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| colostrum | A yellowish fluid secreted by the mammary glands around the time of childbirth until milk comes in, about the third day.
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| Braxton Hicks contractions | Uterine contractions that occur during the third trimester of pregnancy, preparing it for labor.
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| lightening | A process in which the uterus sinks down because the baby's head settles into the pelvic area.
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| blastocyst | A stage of development, days 6-14, when the cell cluster becomes the embryo and placenta.
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| embryo | The stage of development between blastocyst and fetus; about weeks 2-8.
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| placenta | The organ through which the fetus receives nourishment and empties waste via the mother's circulatory system; after birth, the placenta is expelled from the uterus.
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| umbilical cord | The cord connecting the placenta and fetus, through which nutrients pass.
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| amniotic sac | A membranous pouch enclosing and protecting the fetus, containing amniotic fluid.
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| ultrasonography | The use of high-frequency sound waves to view the fetus in the uterus; also known as ultrasound.
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| sonogram | The visual image of the fetus produced by ultrasonography.
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| amniocentesis | A process in which amniotic fluid is removed to detect possible birth defects.
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| chorionic villus sampling (CVS) | Surgical removal of a tiny section of chorionic villi to be analyzed for genetic defects.
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| teratogen | An agent or influence that causes physical defects in a developing embryo.
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| congenital malformation | A physical defect existing at the time of birth, either inherited or caused during gestation.
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| fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) | A combination of birth defects caused by excessive alcohol consumption by the mother during pregnancy.
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| ectopic pregnancy | A pregnancy in which the embryo develops outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube.
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| *spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) | Termination of pregnancy at less than 20 weeks gestation when the uterine contents are expelled; causes include an abnormal uterus, insufficient hormones, and genetic or physical fetal defects.
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| *preeclampsia | A condition of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure, edema, and protein in the urine.
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| *eclampsia | A severe, potentially life-threatening form of preeclampsia, characterized by convulsions and coma.
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| low birth weight (LBW) | Weighing less than 5.5 lb at birth, often the result of prematurity.
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| sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) | The sudden death of an apparently healthy infant during sleep.
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| labor | The act or process of giving birth to a child, expelling it with the placenta from the mother's body by means of uterine contractions.
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| contraction | Shortening of the muscles in the uterine wall, which causes effacement and dilation of the cervix and assists in expelling the fetus.
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| transition | The last part of the first stage of labor, during which the cervix becomes fully dilated; characterized by intense and frequent contractions.
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| *Apgar score | A number that reflects the general condition of the newborn soon after birth.
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| electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) | The use of an external or internal electronic monitor during labor to measure uterine contractions and fetal heart rate.
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| episiotomy | An incision made to widen the vaginal opening to facilitate childbirth and prevent uncontrolled tearing during delivery.
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| rooming-in | The practice of allowing the mother and baby to remain together in the hospital or birth center after delivery.
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| cesarean section | A surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus, performed to extract a fetus.
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| postpartum period | The period of about 3 months after delivering a baby.
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| lactation | The production of milk.
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| postpartum depression | An emotional low that may be experienced by the mother following childbirth.
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| triple marker screen | Measurement of alpha-fetoprotein, estriol, and human chorionic gonadotropin to assess risk of fetal anomalies.
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2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education