Acini cells
Special cells in the breast that make milk.

Afterbirth
Another name for the placenta.

Amniotic fluid
A colourless fluid that surrounds the baby in your uterus. It helps to protect and cushion your baby inside the amniotic sac and protects against infection to the baby and your uterus. Amniotic fluid also plays a vital role in the development of internal organs, such as the lungs and kidneys.

Anaemia
A condition where the blood is unable to carry enough oxygen due to a low number of red blood cells, or because each red blood cell is unable to carry as much oxygen as normal. Common symptoms of anaemia include feeling tired, faint, or breathless.

Antenatal classes
A series of classes that can help mums-to-be prepare emotionally and physically for childbirth.

Amniocentesis test
Amniocentesis is a method of detecting serious, or potentially serious, disorders in the unborn child.

APGAR test
A test used one minute and five minutes (sometimes ten) after birth to assess a newborn baby’s health. It assesses activity level, pulse, grimace (response to stimulation), appearance and respiration.

Areola
The dark area on the breast surrounding the nipple. This can enlarge and darken during pregnancy.

Birth canal
The channel through the exit of the womb, through the pelvis and out of the vagina, through which a baby will travel on its way to being born.

Birth centre
An alternative to a hospital for labour and delivery of a low-risk birth.

Blood spot screening
Tests carried out on newborn babies in order to identify any serious conditions that might be present. Small spots of blood are collected from the baby’s heel and dabbed onto a special card.

Body mass index (BMI)
A formula set by the World Health Organisation to determine if you’re a healthy weight for your height.

Bradycardia
A pulse rate of below 60 beats per minute.

Braxton Hicks
“Practice” contractions of the uterus that occur throughout pregnancy, but especially in months eight and nine. They are irregular and not as intense as real contractions, and can usually be relieved by a warm bath.

Breech position
When a baby is “bottom down” rather than “head down” in the uterus just before birth.

BS 1877 and BS 7177 – British Safety Standards for performance and flammability of mattresses. All reputable sellers will only have products which comply with these standards.

Caesarean section
Or “C-section”. This is when a baby is delivered through an incision in the mother’s abdomen and uterus.

Cardiovascular fitness
Exercise that helps to maintain heart health.

Cerebral palsy (CP)
A condition caused by damage to the brain or poor development of the brain. Approximately one in 10 cases are caused by problems during labour and birth, where a baby’s brain is damaged due to lack of oxygen. Cerebral palsy can also be caused by infections, such as meningitis and encephalitis, that affect the brain when a child is very young.

Cervicitis
Inflammation of the cervix caused by a bacterial or viral infection, or infection of the cervix during childbirth or surgery.

Cervix
The lower end or neck of the uterus, which leads into the vagina and gradually opens during labour.

Chloasma
Brown markings on the skin of a pregnant woman, caused by hormonal changes. These fade after pregnancy. (www.babycentre.co.uk)

Contractions
When the muscles of your uterus tighten in preparation for labour. As opposed to Braxton Hicks contractions, which last anywhere from 30 to 60 seconds, labour contractions are noticeably longer as well as more intense, regular and frequent.

Chickenpox
Caused by the varicella-zoster virus and common among children. It is spread by touching chickenpox blisters, or by breathing in droplets of air that are contaminated with the virus, for example, from the coughs and sneezes of people with chickenpox.

Colic
A condition that makes babies cry, often frantically. It may be more high-pitched than normal, and the crying may continue on and off until the baby finally settles and falls asleep.

Colostrum
A yellowish substance produced by the breasts for the first few days after birth. This is rich in fats and protein and easy for your baby to digest.

Comforter
A cuddly item, such as a soft toy, piece of cot blanket or even a ragged piece of clothing that a toddler forms an attachment to.

Cot death
See Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Cradle cap
A skin condition that can affect babies during their first year (usually on the scalp), causing crusting, scaling and discolouration.

Crowning
The term for when a baby’s head can be seen at the opening of the vagina during labour.

CVS
Chorionic villus sampling is a diagnostic test sometimes carried out in weeks 10 to 12 of pregnancy. Cells are tested to see whether a foetus has Down’s Syndrome or any other genetic abnormalities.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
This occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein. The DVT usually forms in a deep leg vein, and can cause immobility.

Dilation
The gradual opening (or dilation) of the cervix during labour. The cervix is considered “fully dilated” at around 10cm.

Diphtheria
A highly contagious disease spread by direct physical contact or breathing the aerosolised secretions of infected individuals. The name alludes to the leathery membrane that grows on the tonsils, throat, and in the nose. (www.reference.com).

Down’s Syndrome
The most common chromosomal disorder and one of the most common causes of mild to severe learning difficulties. Named after the first person that described it, Dr J. L. Down, the condition affects one in every 1,000 people. Babies with Down’s Syndrome usually weigh less than average at birth and are usually shorter than average as adults.

Dystocia
A term meaning difficult childbirth. Uterine dystocia occurs when contractions are not strong enough to deliver a baby. Shoulder dystocia occurs when a baby’s shoulders get stuck after the head has already been delivered.

Ectopic pregnancy
This occurs when a fertilised egg implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube, which means there is not enough room for a baby to grow.

Eczema
A non-contagious skin condition that can result in dry, red and flaky skin. The skin may feel hot and very itchy and scratching can lead to the skin becoming damaged and infected.

EDD
Estimated date of delivery or the date a baby is due to be born on.

Edward’s Syndrome
Also know as trisomy 18, this is a chromosomal abnormality, which is more severe and less common than Down’s Syndrome. Symptoms include severe learning disabilities and often many defects, such as cleft lip and palate, club foot and malformation of the internal organs.

Electronic Foetal Monitor (EFM)
A device used to monitor progress and vital signs of a baby during labour.

Emergency caesarean section
An emergency procedure during labour that calls for urgent delivery of the baby by cutting through the front wall of the abdomen to open the womb.

Endorphins
The body’s natural painkillers.

Engagement
Also called ‘lightening’ or ‘dropping’, this is when the foetus descends into the pelvic cavity. In first-time mums, this usually happens two to four weeks before delivery. Babies of women who have already had children usually don’t engage until labour begins.

Entonox
Gas and air to relieve pain and aid breathing during labour.

Epidural
An anaesthetic injection, to numb the lower half of the body during labour.

Episiotomy
A deliberate cut made in the perineum, an area of skin and muscle between the vagina and the anus, which is sometimes carried out during delivery of a baby.

Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
The term used to describe a number of foetal abnormalities which occur in the babies of women who have abused alcohol during the course of their pregnancy.

Foetal distress
Signs of foetal distress, such as slowed heartbeat or lack of movement – are monitored throughout labour. If a baby’s life is believed to be in danger, immediate delivery is necessary.

Folic acid
Or vitamin B9, is very important for the development of a healthy foetus, as it can significantly reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs), such as spina bifida.

Follicle
A small, fluid-filled sac in which an egg has developed.

Fontanelles
Soft spots on a baby’s head that enable the soft bony plates of the skull to flex during birth, allowing the head to pass through the birth canal. Fontanelles are usually completely hardened by the age of two. }

Forceps
A hinged, tong-like instrument used to ease the baby’s head through the birth canal.

Fundus
The upper, rounded part of the uterus.

Haemophilia
A disorder of the blood-clotting system, which means that after a cut, blood does not clot normally, bleeding may go on for longer than normal or internal bleeding will occur, particularly into the joints such as knees, elbows and ankles.

Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib)
A serious disease caused by bacteria that has been linked to causing meningitis in children less than five years of age. The Hib vaccine is available at the age of two months to prevent this. (www.cdc.gov)

Haemorrhoids
Swollen blood vessels in the anus. These are common during pregnancy as pressure is applied from the uterus to the veins of the legs and pelvis.

Health visitor
A registered nurse with qualifications in obstetrics and midwifery, who visits new mothers and babies at home.

Hernia
A bulge of tissue caused by a weak area or tear in the muscle through which tissue protrudes. In babies, hernias are most common in boys or premature infants.

Hypnobirthing classes
Teach both partners self-hypnosis and visualisation techniques to promote relaxation and release tension during labour.

Hypotonia
Limp muscles in a baby.

Hysteroscopy
A procedure using an endoscope to examine the health of the uterus.

Incubator
A box-like device in which premature babies are kept at a constant temperature.

Infant botulism
A serious illness that occurs when Clostridium Botulinum or related bacteria produce toxins in the intestines of babies under a year old.

Intrauterine system (UIS)
A small, T-shaped plastic contraceptive device that releases the female hormone progestogen into the body to prevent pregnancy.

In utero surgery
Surgery to correct an abnormality in a developing foetus while it is still in the uterus.

In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
When an egg is surgically removed from a woman and fertilised by a sperm outside of the body.

Jaundice
More common in boys than girls, jaundice is very common in newborn babies. It is caused by the liver not yet being fully developed. A jaundiced baby’s skin will look slightly yellow and in some babies the yellowing can be noticed in the whites of the eyes. It usually disappears after a couple of weeks.

Lactation
The production of breast milk.

Lactose intolerance
A body’s inability to completely break down lactose, a type of sugar found in milk.

Landau reflex
The arched back and raised head movement of a three to12-month-old baby when it is laid face down.

Lanugo
Downy, fine hair that a foetus develops around 15 weeks. This disappears before birth.

Laparoscopy
When a flexible tube is inserted through an incision in the abdomen to view internal organs. This procedure is often used to check for causes of infertility. (www.babycentre.co.uk)

Linea nigra
A dark, vertical line that appears down the middle of your stomach, often crossing the navel. It tends to appear during the second trimester and is caused by pigmentation in the skin where your abdominal muscles stretch and slightly separate to accommodate your baby as it grows.

Listeria
Or listeriosis, is a rare type of bacterial infection that can be picked up from infected food, particularly pâté, certain cheeses, and unwashed fruit and vegetables, including pre-packed salad.

Lochia
Vaginal discharge of mucus, blood and tissue that can continue for up to six weeks after giving birth.

Low-lying placenta
Also known as placenta praevia, this is a complication of pregnancy, when the placenta is in the lower segment of the uterus and covers part or all of the cervix. As the lower part of the uterus stretches in the second half of pregnancy, the placenta may become detached, causing severe bleeding. (www.babycentre.co.uk)

Luteinising Hormone (LH)
A hormone produced by another hormone, oestrogen, during the middle of the menstrual cycle. The increased level of LH causes a follicle in the ovary to release an egg, which is ready to be fertilised within 36 hours.

Mastitis
An infection caused by bacteria that enters the breast through a crack or a break in the skin of the nipple during breastfeeding.

Measles
A highly infectious disease that mainly affects young children, but can be caught at any age. The measles virus is easily spread in droplets from coughs and sneezes in the air. It can also be caught from contact with the skin of an infected person.

Meconium
Dark, sticky substance released from a newborn’s intestines into his/her first poo.

Meningitis (bacterial and viral)
Meningitis is an infection of the meninges (the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord), that can be caused by bacteria or viruses.

Metatarsus varus
In-turning feet, commonly known as “pigeon toed”. This condition usually corrects itself, but severe cases may require surgery.

Milia
Very small white spots on a newborn. These usually disappear by themselves.

MMR
Measles, mumps, rubella. The vaccine against these, usually given at 13 months of age, makes the body produce antibodies that will fight off the viruses.

Moro reflex
The movement a newborn makes of extending its arms, legs and feet and arching its back when startled by a sudden, loud noise.

Multiple birth
When more than one baby is delivered at the same time.

Mumps
A viral infection of the parotid salivary glands, which are located just below and in front of the ears. Mumps is caused by a contagious virus, transmitted through airborne droplets from the coughs and sneezes infected people.

Muscular dystrophy (MD)
An inherited condition where slow, progessive muscle wasting leads to increasing weakness and disability. Most types of muscular dystrophy are rare, with about one in 20,000 babies being born with the condition in the UK each year.

Naevus
A mole or birthmark on the skin.

Neck-righting reflex
A newborn’s reflex to turn its trunk and shoulders to the same side its head is turned. (www.babycentre.co.uk)

Neonatal
This term refers to the first four weeks after a baby is born.

Night terror
Also known as pavor nocturnis, these are very extreme nightmares often experienced by children. The child looks as though they are living through a terrifying encounter, and may yell out or stare with their eyes fully open.

Nuchal translucency (NT) scan
NT is the fluid under the skin at the back of the baby’s neck at 10-14 weeks. All babies have some fluid, but many babies with Down’s Syndrome have increased NT. An NT scan is a screening test, offered by some hospitals at 12 weeks, that can estimate the risk of your baby having Down’s. A diagnostic test will give you a definite diagnosis.

Pedometer
An instrument worn by a walker or runner for recording the number of steps taken, thereby showing approximately the distance travelled. (www.dictionary.com)

Pelvic floor muscles
Muscles that hold the bladder and urethra (tube that urine comes out of) in place.

Perinatal
The period just before, during and immediately after birth.

Perinatologist
A doctor who treats women with high-risk pregnancies.

Perineum
The area between the vagina and the anus.

Pethidine
Pain-relief drug that can be used during labour. It is usually given as an injection into the thigh.

Phototherapy
Ultraviolet light treatment used to speed up recovery from jaundice in newborn babies.

Placenta
An organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy, providing nutrients for the foetus and eliminating its waste products. It is also called “afterbirth” as it is delivered after the baby during a vaginal birth.

Pneumococcal vaccine (PPV)
Known as the 'pneumo jab', it protects against the most common strains of pneumococcus bacteria and substantially reduces the chance of developing a range of pneumococcal diseases.

Polio
Now very rare in the UK, polio, or poliomyelitis, is an infectious disease that used to be the most common cause of paralysis in young people. The anterior pole cells of the spinal cord are inflamed, which affects the spinal nerve and all voluntary muscles of the body.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Also known as the Stein-Leventhal syndrome, this is a condition associated with multiple cysts in the ovaries, where many follicles are produced but often none develop enough to release an egg, meaning that ovulation does not take place.

Possetting/Reflux
When babies vomit sour sick after feeding because their stomach is very full.

Post-natal depression (PND)
Long periods of feeling tearful and depressed after the birth of a baby. The condition affects about one in 10 mothers in the UK, and usually develops in the first four to six weeks after childbirth. Although more common in women, men can be affected, too.

Pre-eclampsia
A condition that occurs during pregnancy, or immediately after the delivery of a baby. Women develop high blood pressure, together with protein in their urine (leaked from their kidneys) and fluid retention (oedema).

Premature labour
When labour begins before 37 weeks.

Progesterone
A female hormone that can dilate, or widen, veins.

Prolactin
A hormone that activates a woman’s milk-producing glands.

Prolapsed cord
When the umbilical cord comes through the cervix before the baby.

Quickening
The first movements of the foetus a pregnant woman feels, usually between 16 and 20 weeks.

Relaxin
A hormone produced during pregnancy that loosens the joints, making you more prone to injury. (http://babycentre.co.uk)

Rhesus incompatibility
When a baby inherits a blood type from its father, which is different from and incompatible with its mother’s.

Rooting reflex
A baby’s automatic reaction to turn its head and start sucking when the cheek is stroked. This helps babies to breastfeed. (http://www.babycentre.co.uk/)

Salmonella
A type of bacteria that can grow in food and cause food poisoning. Salmonella is sometimes found in unpasteurised milk, eggs and raw egg products, meat and poultry. (www.eatwell.gov.uk)

Sciatica
Pain arising in the sciatic nerve (the largest nerve in the body, running from the spinal cord down through the buttocks and back of each leg to supply all muscles of the lower limb), most often from abnormal pressure on its roots at the spinal cord. This condition is common during pregnancy.

“Show”
Discharge of mucus and a small amount of blood resulting from the mucus plug dislodging from the cervix as labour begins.

Stepping reflex
A newborn’s action of lifting one leg then the other, as though they were taking steps, when held upright on a flat surface and supported under the arms.

Spina bifida
The failure of an embryo’s neural tube to develop properly. The neural tube forms in the first few weeks of pregnancy and eventually goes on to form the baby’s brain, spinal cord and their coverings.

Stress incontinence
When urine leaks occur because the sphinctre muscle that keeps the bladder sealed tight isn’t as strong as it used to be, so it gives way if the pressure rises, for instance when you cough.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Also known as cot death. It is the sudden unexpected death of an apparently well baby, aged from birth to two years.

Tachycardia
An unusually rapid heartbeat.

TENS
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is a method of pain relief used during labour. It uses electrode pads placed on the skin to interfere with pain signals to the brain and help the body produce its own pain-killing hormones.

Tetanus
A condition caused by bacteria getting into the body through a wound, such as a cut or an animal bite. The most common symptom of tetanus is a spasm of the muscles nearest to the infected wound.

Thyroid gland
This gland in the throat makes hormones to help control growth and metabolism (the process that turns the food we eat into energy).

Toxoplasmosis
A disease that occurs worldwide in most birds and warm-blooded mammals, including humans. It is caused by infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), one of the world’s most common parasites found in undercooked or raw meat, cat faeces and any soil or cat litter contaminated with infected cat faeces.

Transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS machine)
A type of electrotherapy that helps reduce pain during labour and also helps the muscles to repair themselves.

Transverse abdominus muscle
The deep lower abdominal muscle that attaches across the pelvis, and the one that most often bulges out below the belt line.

Trimester
Period of three months.

Trisomy 18
See Edward’s Syndrome.

Ultrasound
High-frequency sound waves used to create a moving image on a screen. Ultrasounds are carried out at various stages of a pregnancy to check for any anomalies.

Umbilical cord
The spongy, cord-like connection between a foetus and the placenta. It carries nourishment to the unborn baby and also removes waste.

Varicella
Another name for chickenpox – a mild but contagious disease common among children.

Varicose veins
Swollen, irregular shaped veins that often develop in the legs, particularly on the calves. They occur when the vein wall weakens, causing the vein to dilate.

VBAC
Vaginal birth after caesarean.

Ventouse delivery
A technique used to help in labour using a ventouse - a device that has a cup attached to a small vacuum pump. The cup fits on top and slightly towards the back of your baby's head, and is used to help with delivery.

Weaning
The gradual introduction of foods, other than breast milk or infant formula, to a baby's diet.

Witch’s milk
A secretion of colostrum-type milk that sometimes occurs in the glands of newborns, three to four days after birth. It usually lasts a week or two.

Whooping cough
Also known as pertussis, this is a very infectious disease that can be extremely serious in babies under six months old. Children are usually vaccinated against whooping cough at two, three and four months, and again before they start school.

Zygote
The medical term for a newly fertilised egg before it implants into the uterus.

The above glossary contains terms and phrases you will see on this website. Unless otherwise stated, these terms have been taken from NHS Direct.