30/09/2022
1. Abdomen: The tummy area from the lower ribs to the pelvis.
2. Abdominal: of the abdomen.
3. Abortion: Ending a pregnancy using either medicines (medical abortion) or an operation (surgical abortion).
4. Acute: Sudden and severe.
5. Adenomyosis: Endometriosis in the muscle wall of the uterus.
6. Adhesions: Scars that connects two or more body structures together.
7. Amniocentesis: A way of testing the fluid surrounding a baby in the womb by taking a small sample with a needle put into the womb through the abdomen. It can be carried out after the 15th week of pregnancy, and can detect some conditions, like Down syndrome.
8. Amniotic fluid: The watery liquid surrounding and protecting the growing fetus in the uterus.
9. Amniotic sac: The pregnancy sac containing the baby and the amniotic fluid. It is sometimes also called "the membranes".
10. Anaemia: A condition when the level of haemoglobin, the protein in blood which carries oxygen round the body, is lower than normal. It can be mild or severe and can cause tiredness, breathlessness, fainting, headaches. It can also cause your heart to beat faster.
11. Anaesthesia: A medical way of relieving pain.
12. Anaesthetist: A doctor trained to administer anaesthetics.
13. A**l sphincter: The muscle around the a**s that is squeezed to prevent passing wind or opening the bowels involuntarily.
14. Anaphylaxis: Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that needs immediate treatment.
15. Antiphospholipid syndrome: A condition caused by your immune system mistakenly attacking healthy cells in your body. It can increase your risk of blood clots and of pregnancy complications such as recurrent miscarriage or stillbirth.
16. Antenatal (prenatal): Before birth.
17. Anthracyclines: Antibiotic drugs used in cancer chemotherapy.
18. Antibiotics: Medicines to fight an infection caused by bacteria.
19. Antibody: Blood protein that helps fight attacks on the immune system, such as those caused by bacteria and viruses.
20. Anticoagulant medication: Medicines to reduce clotting in the blood vessels.
21. Antigen: A substance in the blood that helps trigger the immune system to develop antibodies. See blood group.
22. Anti-inflammatory drugs: Medicines to stop or reduce swelling and redness.
23. Antiretroviral drugs/therapy: Medicines used to block the action of retroviruses (such as the HIV/AIDS virus) and the progress of infection. See also HAART, HIV and retrovirus.
24. Antispasmodic drugs: Drugs which relieve cramps or spasms of the stomach, intestines, bladder and womb (uterus).
25. A**s: The opening of the re**um to the outside of the body.
26. Assisted birth (instrumental birth/operative va**nal delivery): When special instruments (forceps or ventouse) are used to help deliver the baby during the pushing part of labour.
27. Assisted conception/assisted reproductive techniques (ART): Treatments to help people conceive a baby. See also: intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilisation, intracytoplasmic s***m injection, donor insemination.
28. Autoimmune response: When the body produces antibodies which react against the bodyβs own tissues.
29. Bacteria: Tiny organisms that may cause certain infections.
30. Bicornuate uterus (womb): A heart-shaped uterus. Usually the uterus would be pear-shaped.
31. Bile acids: Bile acids are made in your liver and they help you to digest fat and fat soluble vitamins. Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (obstetric cholestasis) is where you have a build up of bile acids in your body.
32. Bacterial vaginosis (BV): A very common va**nal infection which results in discharge and soreness. It is caused by an imbalance in the types of bacteria in the va**na. It is not sexually transmitted and does not affect men.
33. Biopsy: The taking of a small sample of tissue for examination.
34. Birth asphyxia: When a baby has experienced a reduced level of oxygen around the time of birth. Affected babies may not breathe normally and may have a low heart rate.
35. Bladder: The organ in the pelvis which stores urine before it is passed out through the urethra.
36. Bladder training: A way of teaching your bladder to hold more urine. It helps to reduce the number of times you need to pass urine and reduce urgency.
37. Blood group: The way blood is classified by proteins (known as antigens) on the surface of your red blood cells. Group A blood has A antigens, group B blood has B antigens, group AB blood has both A and B antigens and group O blood has no antigens.
38. Body mass index (BMI): A measurement to work out the range of healthy weights for a person. It is calculated by dividing your weight (in kilograms) by your height (in metres squared β that is, your height in metres multiplied by itself). The healthy range is between 19 and 25.
39. Brachial plexus injury: Damage to the nerves in a babyβs neck.
40. BRCA: The name βBRCAβ is an abbreviation for βBReast CAncer gene.β BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two different genes that have been found to impact a person's chances of developing cancer. Every human has both the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which play an essential role in keeping our DNA intact. Alterations (mutations) causing loss of function in either of these genes are associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Mutations in BRCA2 are also associated with prostate and pancreatic carcinoma, melanoma and sarcomas.
41. Breech position: When the baby is lying bottom first in the womb.
42. CA125: A protein in the blood that is raised in ovarian cancer. It can also be raised in endometriosis, pregnancy and infection.
43. Caesarean birth: An operation in which a baby is born through a cut made in the wall of the abdomen and the uterus. It may be done as a planned (elective) or an emergency procedure.
44. Cancer: A disease of the cells.
45. Cardiotocography (CTG): A machine which traces the babyβs heart rate and the womanβs contractions before and during birth to assess the babyβs wellbeing.
46. Catheter: A small tube that can be passed through a part of the body, for example through the urethra (to empty the bladder).
47. Cell: The tiny building blocks which make up the organs and tissues of the body.
48. Cephalhaematoma: A bruise on the newbornβs head caused by a suction cup being used to help deliver the baby.
49. Cervical screening: An internal swab test to check your cervix is healthy. It is sometimes called a smear test.
50. Cervix: The entrance or neck of the womb, at the top of the va**na.
51. Chickenpox: A viral infection (also called herpes zoster, varicella or varicella zoster). If a pregnant woman catches chickenpox, it may cause problems for her baby.
52. Chignon: A swelling on the babyβs head as a result of a ventouse birth. It settles within a day or so.
53. Cholesterol: The name for a group of blood fats. It includes LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, which is βbadβ cholesterol; HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, which is βgoodβ cholesterol; and triglycerides (TG). A high level of cholesterol in the blood is a major risk factor for heart attack and indirectly increases your risk of stroke.
54. Chlamydia trachomatis: A sexually transmitted infection which can damage the reproductive system of both men and women if it is not treated promptly. Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics. Both partners require treatment.
55. Chocolate cysts: Cysts which form on the ovaries in some women who have endometriosis. Also known as endometriomas.
56. Chorioamnionitis: An infection inside the uterus affecting the membranes (called the chorion and amnion) which surround the amniotic fluid.
57. Chromosomal abnormality: A different number or arrangement of chromosomes from the usual pattern.
58. Chromosomes: The genetic structures within cells which contain our DNA (the material that carries genetic information). A normal cell contains 46 chromosomes. See also gene.
59. Chronic: Something that persists or continues for at least six months.
60. Clear margins: When no cell changes are present along the edge of tissue removed during treatment for cervical cell changes.
61. Clinical guidelines: Statements based on properly researched evidence which help healthcare professionals and patients to make decisions about medical care and treatments.
62. Cl****is: A small organ under a fold of skin at the top of the v***a. The external part is about the size of a pea. When a woman is sexually aroused it swells with blood and produces feelings of sexual pleasure when stimulated.
63. CMV: A common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus that is spread from person to person by bodily fluids (blood, breast milk, saliva and semen). CMV does not usually cause symptoms in healthy people, but if you catch it for the first-time during pregnancy it can sometimes be passed to the baby which can cause them to have health problems.
64. Colostrum: The first breastmilk produced during pregnancy and in the first few days after your baby is born.
65. Colposcope: A type of microscope used to see the cervix in detail during colposcopy. It has a light attached and stays outside of the body.
66. Colposcopist, colposcopy nurse specialist or nurse colposcopist: A doctor or nurse who has completed medical or nursing training and continued onto colposcopy training.
67. Colposcopy: A hospital examination used to diagnose, monitor and treat cervical cell changes.
68. Complementary therap: Treatments and therapies that are not part of conventional medicine. Examples include acupuncture, homeopathy and herbal medicine.
69. Conception: When an egg is fertilised by s***m and then starts to grow in the womb.
70. Consultant-led: A consultant led maternity unit is a maternity unit where there are specialist doctors (obstetricians and anesthetists) as well as midwives, available at all times to look after you during your labour and the birth of your baby. There will also be neonatologists (doctors who specialize in the care of new born babies) available to look after your baby if they need additional support at birth. You may be advised to give birth in a consultant led unit if you have risk factors which may make labour or birth more complicated for you or your baby.
71. Complications: Problems that develop after an operation, treatment or illness.
72. Complete miscarriage: When all the tissue associated with a pregnancy has gone and the uterus is empty.
73. Condition: A state of being, like being healthy or fit, or having a problem, such as a heart problem.
74. Continence: Having full control of the bladder and/or bowel. See also stress incontinence.
75. Contraception: Contraception, or birth control, is what you and your partner can use to help prevent an unwanted pregnancy or to space out your pregnancies. There are many different forms of contraception including condoms, hormonal pills and implants, hormonal and non-hormonal coils and permanent methods such as female sterilization or vasectomy. You can get more information about contraception from your GP or a family planning clinic.
76. Corticosteroids: A group of hormones which may be used to suppress the bodyβs immune response or to reduce inflammation. Also used during pregnancy in women who are thought may have their baby prematurely. They reduce the chance of the baby having problems from being born prematurely. See also steroids.
77. Counsellor: A trained professional who helps people to make sense of feelings and issues.
78. CTG (cardio-tocograph): This is a machine that measures your baby's heart beat and your contractions by using sensors that are attached to your abdomen with an elastic belt.
79. Cystocele: When the bladder bulges into the weakened wall of the va**na. A lump may be seen or felt.
80. Dilatation and evacuation (D&E): Surgery using instruments to end the pregnancy.
81. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): A blood clot that forms in a deep vein.
82. Delayed cord clamping: Delaying the cutting of the umbilical cord for a few minutes, which allows time for extra blood to flow from the placenta into the baby.
83. Delayed miscarriage/missed miscarriage/silent miscarriage: A pregnancy that has ended although the fetus is still inside the uterus. Sometimes, because the fetus hasnβt developed, it can no longer be seen and there is just a fluid-filled sac inside the womb.
84. Delivery: Birth of a baby and its afterbirth (see placenta). A baby may be delivered through the va**na or by caesarean section.
85. Diabetes: A condition caused by high levels of glucose (a form of sugar) in the blood. The amount of glucose in your blood is controlled by a hormone called insulin. See also Diabatetes Type 1 and Type 2 below.
86. Diabetes β Type 1: A serious, lifelong condition where your blood glucose level is too high because your body can't make a hormone called insulin, which controls blood glucose.
87. Diabetes β Type 2: A serious condition where the insulin your pancreas makes canβt work properly, or your pancreas canβt make enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that controls blood glucose levels. If you blood glucose levels are too high it can cause a variety of health problems for you.
88. Diathermy: A surgical procedure to heat up and destroy body tissue or stop bleeding. Also known as electrocoagulation.
89. Diagnosis: The way a medical professional recognises a condition or disease.
90. Discharge letter: A letter a hospital doctor sends to a GP once treatment has finished telling the GP what has been done. The patient should be given a copy.
91. Dilatation: The process of your cervix opening during labour.
92. Disease: An abnormal condition in the body causing harm.
93. Donor insemination: When s***m from a donor is put into a womanβs va**na, cervix or womb to help start a pregnancy.
94. Doppler: A method for measuring the flow of blood, for example through the umbilical cord during pregnancy.
95. Dysmenorrhoea: Painful periods.
96. Dyspareunia: Pain during or after sexual in*******se.
97. Ectopic pregnancy: When a fertilised egg (embryo) implants outside the womb (usually in one of the fallopian tubes).
98. Early miscarriage: When a woman loses her baby in the first three months of pregnancy.
99. Early pregnancy assessment unit: A clinic that specialises in problems in early pregnancy (under 12 weeks) where a woman receives medical care, counselling and treatment as required.
100. Eclampsia: Seizures/fits that are a potentially life-threatening complication of pre-eclampsia.
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