Health and Preparation
What you'll find here: explanations of what to expect at healthcare visits, and normal feelings, during the 9 months of pregnancy. Optimally, you should have prenatal care that consists of monthly visits to your healthcare provider for the first 6 months, visits every two weeks for months 7-8, and weekly visits during month 9.
Sections:
Common Terms and Tests
Abortion: A surgical procedure, most often done at an outpatient surgery center, to electively end a pregnancy. An elective abortion usually must be done before 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Alpha-Fetoprotein Test (AFP): a blood test performed between 15 and 22 weeks gestation to detect the risk of genetic conditions and determine the baby's nervous system development.
Amniocentesis: A test performed on the amniotic fluid (fluid in the sac surrounding your baby inside your uterus) to detect the risk of genetic conditions; generally performed in the second three months of pregnancy if the alpha fetoprotein test indicates a concern. A small sample of the fluid is withdrawn by inserting a thin needle through your abdomen.
Anesthesia: Various methods of anesthesia (pain control) are available to you when your labor becomes painful. These may range from natural methods (water, backrubs and massage, imagery, or pressure) to medical methods (drugs) involving injections and IV's.
Cervix: Your cervix is located at the base of your uterus, at the innermost part of your vagina. This opening is usually closed completely until labor begins. During labor, the uterine contractions push the baby against the cervix, causing it to dilate (open) and efface (stretch and thin out). When closed, the cervix is called "0 centimeters dilated and 0% effaced"; when fully open to allow the baby to pass through, it is called "10 centimeters dilated and 100% (fully) effaced". At 10cm. /100% the mother can begin to voluntarily push.
Cesarean section: A "C-section" delivery is the surgical method of delivering a baby. This surgery may be needed if the baby needs to be delivered very quickly or cannot get out through the vaginal canal.
Fundus: The top curve of the uterus is called the fundus. As your pregnancy progresses and the baby grows, the fundus of your uterus rises up out of your bony pelvis. At about ____ months, your fundus is usually felt at the level of your belly button (also called your navel or umbilicus). By the end of your pregnancy the uterine fundus is all the way up to your breastbone.
EDC: The "Estimated date of confinement", an old term, is your due date. It is calculated as 40 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period. However, an actual normal pregnancy may range from 38-41 weeks.
Epidural: One common and popular type of anesthesia (pain relief) used during labor. The medicine is given continuously though a small plastic tube into your back, so the pain relief can be effective for a long time. Other types of anesthesia include spinals (less common) and general anesthesia (usually only used if you need to deliver surgically via a Cesarean section).
Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT): The GTT is used between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy to test your body's ability to process and eliminate a glucose (sugar) challenge.
Miscarriage: A normal pregnancy that unexplainably ends, all by itself, before the fourth month is called a "miscarriage", "spontaneous abortion", or "missed abortion". About 15% of normal pregnancies end this way. The signs of miscarriage are vaginal bleeding or blood clots, heavy cramping, and the passage of pink or gray tissues. It is OK to feel grief about losing a baby this way. Sometimes people try to comfort you by saying that you ate something bad or something was wrong with the baby "so nature is taking care of things", but these are not necessarily true. If you have a miscarriage, it is important to tell your healthcare provider and to seek emotional support. If you feel emotionally able, try to save the tissues that you pass, so the healthcare provider can examine them. Sometimes the healthcare provider can help your next pregnancy go better by understanding what happened with this one.
Ultrasound: A non-invasive, safe test to evaluate your baby's growth, development, and health. There are many types of ultrasounds. Some women may get a photo or video of their baby before birth from this test.
Uterus: The uterus or womb is the muscular organ that the baby grows in. When you are not pregnant your uterus is about the size of your fist. By the time you deliver, the growing baby will stretch your uterus to the size of a large watermelon. The extremely-efficient uterine muscle will contract starting at the top (fundus) towards the bottom to help your baby be born. These contractions are usually painful.