The A-Z of Pregnancy & Common Pregnancy Terms

THE A – Z OF PREGNANCY

Preparing for the birth of a child is quite a journey, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and often confused during your healthcare visits. Here’s an A-Z of pregnancy to help demystify some of the terms and phrases you may encounter during your pregnancy and labour journey.

A – is for Amniotic fluid

The liquid that surrounds, protects and cushions your baby whilst in the uterus. So important as it maintains the temperature in the uterus and prevents the umbilical cord from getting squashed.

B – is for Braxton Hicks

Contractions that are really not contractions if you get what we mean! These practice contractions are very common during the 3^rd Trimester and can last up to 15- 30 seconds, often feeling like mild menstrual cramps.

C – is for Constipation

Yes, one of the most uncomfortable and lesser-known symptoms of pregnancy is constipation. There can be any number of reasons for constipation, taking iron supplements and pressure on uterus from the lower intestines being just two. But don’t worry, drinking plenty of water, eating foods high in fibre and avoiding high carb foods like rice and bananas can really help get you going…if you know what we mean!

D- is for feeling Dizzy

This usually starts in the 2^nd Trimester and can be a sing of low blood sugar or iron levels. Getting up too quickly or changing positions in the later months of pregnancy can also leave you feeling dizzy. Our tips are to eat regular meals and healthy snacks to keep energy levels up, get enough exercise, ensure your room is not too warm and wear breathable clothing.

E – is for Episiotomy

Not for the squeamish but good to know that whilst the body is designed to stretch during childbirth, sometimes a small surgical cut is made between the vagina an anus, if your baby needs to be delivered quickly, or if there is a risk that you may tear down there. If this happens, don’t worry you will be stitched up after delivering your baby and the healing process takes just a few weeks.

F – is for Foetus

It can be confusing to know when after fertilisation an embryo becomes a foetus …so we thought we’d clear these terms up for you.

• Germinal Stage – the first two weeks after conception, when the fertilised egg (zygote) travels from the fallopian tube to the uterus.
• Embryonic Stage – three to eight weeks into your pregnancy is the time when your baby is starting to have human characteristics, such as face, neck, blood vessels, lungs and stomach all starting to develop.
• Foetal Stage – Nine weeks in and right up until birth is called the foetal stage, and whilst most of us are referring to our growing bump as a baby, sometimes it’s good to know the technical terms so you are not overwhelmed or worried if your healthcare professional uses them in their chats.

G – is for GDM Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Unfortunately, some pregnancies can lead to gestational diabetes, often thought to be caused by a hormone that is made in the placenta during pregnancy that prevents the body from using insulin effectively.  When this happens, glucose builds up in the blood instead of being absorbed by the body’s cells. Your doctor will be able to diagnose treatment for this condition and for most new mums, GDM does away following birth.

H – if for Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG)

Whilst many pregnancies bring with them morning sickness, for some this experience can leave them with excessive nausea and vomiting causing them to be sick many times a day and unable to keep any food or drink down. This condition does need to be brought to the attention of your doctor as very often a stay in hospital may be needed to keep you hydrated.

I – is for Induced Labour

There can be many reasons why your labour needs to be artificially started, possibly you are over your due date, maybe your baby has shown signs of distress, or even your health may be at risk if the pregnancy continues. There are two methods for inducing labour; hormones placed inside the vagina in a tablet form, or a balloon full or water or dilator that is used to widen the cervix. It can take hours for these treatments to start working and you will most likely be asked to stay in hospital once these procedures have been completed.

J- is for Jaundice

Many babies are born with a slight yellow tinge to their skin and whites of the eyes. In darker skinned babies it is often easier to see by looking at the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.   Caused by a build-up of the chemical Bilirubin in the blood, it’s common in babies as they have such a high number of red blood cells and is easily treated once identified.

K – is for Vitamin K

With their parents’ permission Vitamin K is given as an injection immediately following. Babies are born with very little Vitamin K, but they do need it to help form blood clots.  Reduced Vitamin K can lead to even the smallest of cuts or bruises to bleed and take longer to heal.

L- is for Linea Nigra

Here’s the interesting bit…we all have this line!  It, called the ‘Linea alba’, which is a band of fibres that help separate the abdominal walls. But during pregnancy when hormones are all over the place the skin can produce more melanin, which is why some of us will notice a dark line running from the navel to the pubic bone. Once your baby has been born and hormones revert to their pre-pregnancy levels this discolouration will disappear.

M – is for Meconium

Strictly not pregnancy related but it is your baby’s first stool, sticky and green in colour, it’s made up of all the things your baby has swallowed when in the uterus, things such as amniotic fluid, bile and mucus, quite a shock for any new mum to be presented with this in a first nappy but perfectly normal.

N- is for Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)

After your 10^th week of pregnancy doctors can now analyse the DNA in a mother’s blood, by taking a sample to help identify any foetal abnormalities or conditions. This is often carried out if a first scan has highlighted the possibility of chromosomal disorder. It’s completely safe and will not harm you or your baby should you be offered it.

P - is for Perineum

The perineum is the skin found between the anus and your vulva and during a vaginal birth, it can often tear or be cut by your healthcare provider to help baby’s head be released. Once birth and delivery of the placenta have taken place, the area will be stitched back together. A doctor or midwife can often prevent tearing by asking you to slow down during labour and by encouraging you to massage the perineum a few weeks before birth. Most tears will have healed after 4 - 6 weeks.

Q- is for Quickening

One of the most joyous moments for any mum is when they first feel their baby move inside them. Usually this is felt between 20-22 weeks for first time mum, and earlier for those who have been pregnant before. It can feel similar to your own body movements at first, like little flutters or even if you have a bit of gas or trapped wind.  It’s a great sign that your baby is happy, and the pregnancy is progressing well, and can help forge an even closer connection between you both.

R - is for Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

It can affect 1 in 5 pregnant women, and symptoms can include tingling of the legs and feet generally in the 3^rd Trimester and often gets worse at night. It’s a bit of a mystery as to why some pregnancies result in this condition, but the good news is that it usually disappears once you have given birth.

S – is for  Stretchmarks

You can get stretchmarks pretty much anywhere on the body, they appear when there has been a sudden growth or weight gain, so it’s not surprising that some pregnancies can result in stretchmarks being noticed. Now let’s do some myth busting here, even though maintaining a healthy weight is great for reducing these marks appearing, genetics can play a part in this too. So, during your pregnancy, massage the body daily using body moisturisers, try to eat healthily and remember that you’re actually not eating for two! Finally, stretchmarks whilst never completely disappearing will fade over time and become barely visible.

T - is for Telogen Effluvium (TE)

Or to give it t’s mainstream name, hair loss during pregnancy. Whilst many will say their hair has never looked shinier or thicker, some will notice that the stress of those early pregnancy months and hormonal shifting in the body can cause hair loss. It’s important to remember that hair does have a life cycle comprising of growth, regression and shedding. On average we lose around 50-100 hairs every day, and this can increase during and post pregnancy. Based on these figures it’s not unusual to have to wait for between 6-12 months before your hair is back to its pre-pregnancy condition.

U – is for Umbilical cord

The stretchy cord linking mum to her unborn baby is called the umbilical cord and it’s got an extremely important job to do. Connecting the foetus to the placenta it carries oxygen and essential nutrients from mum to her baby…and removes any waste products too! It contains two arteries and one large vein which is why if you look closely it looks like two smaller blue veins wrapped around a wider red one.

V – is for Vernix Caseosa

Did you know that babies have their own skin routine when happily developing inside mum. It’s called Vernix caseosa and is a white creamy substance, almost waxy in appearance that covers your baby’s skin during pregnancy and after birth. It’s the baby itself that makes this substance produced by its own sebaceous glands and is a combination of water, protein and lipids.  It’s pretty cool too, as it protects from infection, regulates temperature, and helps your baby adapt quickly to life outside of the uterus. Following childbirth, you may be tempted to remove the vernix layer, but honestly if you can leave it for around 24 hours it will absolutely help your baby adjust to its new surroundings.

W- is for Water Breaking

Yes, we know we could have said ‘womb’ but we’re sure we’ve all got that one clear in our heads. So, let’s look at Amniorrhexis, or to give it its common term when your waters break! This is when the amniotic sac surrounding your baby has ruptured, releasing the fluid inside. This can feel like a sudden gush of water or a slow trickle, and it may be clear or slightly tinged. It’s a sign that labour may be starting soon, though for some, it can still mean your contractions are still some way off.

If your waters break, contact your healthcare provider, especially if the fluid has an unusual colour or smell, or if you don’t go into labour within a few hours. In the meantime, wear a maternity pad to absorb the fluid and keep as comfortable as possible.

X – is for Exhaling

Practising your breathing prior to childbirth is a great way to be in control during labour and your partner can get involved too! During the first state of labour when regular breathing is best, breathe in through your nose on the count of 1,2,3 and then out through the mouth, again on the count of 1,2,3, these breaths should almost be like a sigh.

During the second stage of labour your breathing will be needed to help you push and control your baby’s journey through the birth canal.  Panting can sometimes be helpful during this stage and your midwife or gynaecologist will be on hand to encourage you to not hold your breath whilst pushing.

Y- is for Yeast Infection

Yes, you can still find yourself suffering from vaginal candidiasis when pregnant, just as you can at any other time in your life. The good news is that this infection is not a risk to pregnancy or the baby and can often be triggered by the change in oestrogen levels and an increase in glycogen content in discharge. Now, whilst it’s fine to use antifungal creams to treat this infection do speak to the pharmacist or your doctor before starting this treatment.

Z – is for Zzzzz

We can’t say this enough, getting between 7-9 hours of sleep and resting when you can be so important for you and your baby. A good night’s sleep may elude you during the night, especially if you must keep popping to the loo to pee, suffer with restless leg syndrome, or at the end of your pregnancy when finding a comfortable position is difficult. So, grab a nap whenever you can, and if it’s in the day pop your feet up too, to reduce any swelling of the feet and ankles.

If sleep is becoming an issue, consider cutting out the caffeine, getting fresh air for between 15-30 minutes a day, avoiding heavy meals at night, practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga or mindfulness an hour before bed.