Glossary

A

Abdominal

In your belly, stomach or gut area

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS):

A sickness caused by a virus that wipes out the body’s power to fight infections

Abortion

When a pregnancy ends before term, either naturally or on purpose

Abruption

When the placenta separates from the wall of the womb too early

Acetaminophen

A drug used to treat pain and fever

Active labor

The time in labor when the body is opening the cervix so the baby can move into the birth canal; contractions get stronger and last longer

Allergies

When you are sensitive to certain foods, pollen, dust and other items; may cause sneezing, itching, swelling or a rash

Amniocentesis

A test where the doctor draws a small amount of fluid from the sac around your unborn baby; this test is done to check your baby's health

Amniotic fluid

The fluid around your unborn baby in the placenta (the sac that surrounds the growing baby)

Anemia

A lower-than-normal red blood cell count

Anesthesia

A drug used to reduce pain

Antacids

Drugs that lower the amount of stomach acid

Antibodies

Proteins in the body that help fight germs or infection

Anxiety

Feelings of fear or dread

Areola

The dark area around the breast nipple

Asthma

An illness that causes narrowing of the airways which may make it hard to breathe, cause coughing, fast breathing, wheezing and chest tightness

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

A problem that causes someone to have a hard time paying attention and staying focused on tasks; people with ADD may be very active, talk quickly or act before thinking

B

Bacteria

Tiny germs that can only be seen under a microscope

Bacterial vaginosis (BV)

An abnormal vaginal discharge caused by bacteria

Benefits

The health services offered by an insurance plan

Birth defects

Health problems a person is born with

Birthing ball

A large rubber ball that a woman sits or lies on during labor

Bloating

A feeling that you are too full that often happens after eating

Blood

Red liquid pumped by the heart

Blood clot

A gelled mass of blood tissue that can stop blood flow

Blood count

The number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in a sample of blood

Blood pressure

The force of blood pushing against your blood vessels

Body mass index (BMI):

A number based on height, weight and sex; tells if a person is of normal weight, too light or too heavy

Bone marrow

Soft tissue inside your long bones that makes and releases blood cells into your bloodstream

Bowel

The tube-shaped part of your body between your stomach and your anus that helps you digest and absorb food

Bowel movement

Passing solid waste through the anus

Bradley method

A childbirth method that stresses not using drugs during labor

Brain

The main part of your central nervous system

Braxton-Hicks contractions

A type of false labor when your womb tightens; this tight feeling is painless and may begin in the fifth month of pregnancy

Breast

The pair of glands located on the chest that make milk to feed your baby

Breech presentation

When a baby is positioned feet, butt or knees first instead of head first

C

Caffeine

A substance found in coffee, tea and other foods and drinks; it can improve energy and alertness, but too much can cause restlessness, irritability and inability to sleep

Calories

Energy in food; some foods have more calories than others

Canal

Tube, duct, passage or vessel in your body

Carbon monoxide

A gas that does not have a scent or color and can't be tasted

Carbohydrates

Sugar and starches in food, which are used by the body for energy

Cartilage

A firm substance that covers and cushions the ends of bones in normal joints; it allows the joint to move smoothly and without pain

Catheter

A soft plastic tube inserted into a body part; it is used to help channel fluid, to remove fluid after surgery or to guide a medical device

Cervix

The part of your womb that goes into the vagina

Checkup

An exam given by a doctor or other care giver; this may include lab tests

Childbirth

Giving birth, or labor

Chlamydia

A disease passed from one person to another during sex; it can cause infections of the sex organs

Chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

A hormone made by the placenta during pregnancy; it shows up in the urine or blood only when a woman is pregnant and is used to test for pregnancy

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

A first trimester test that checks for problems in an unborn baby by taking a small sample of the placenta (the sac that surrounds the growing baby)

Chromosomes

The part of a cell that holds genes

Circulation

The flow of blood through your body

Circulatory system

The heart, blood and system of blood vessels that move blood through the body

Circumcision

Surgery to remove the foreskin of a baby's penis

Climax

Orgasm during sex

Colostrum

A thin, white fluid from your breast milk that helps your baby fight off infection

Coma

A sleeplike state from illness or injury where a person is not aware or awake

Complications

Problems or bad side effects caused by an illness or medical condition

Congenital heart disease

A heart problem a baby is born with

Constipation

Trouble having a bowel movement

Contagious disease

An illness a person can spread to others

Contraception

Birth control

Contractions

When your womb tightens during labor; contractions get stronger and last longer as labor goes on; they help your cervix open up and wear away so your baby can move down the birth canal

Copper

A mineral needed by the body

Counselor

A professional who helps people talk about their problems and come up with solutions

C-section

A surgery where the doctor makes a cut in your belly and womb to deliver your baby; short for Cesarean section

Cystic fibrosis (CF)

A lung disease people are born with, which causes problems breathing and digesting food

D

Delivery

Childbirth

Depression

An illness that involves your mood, body and thoughts; some common signs include feeling hopeless, sad, tired, restless or having trouble sleeping; the signs last two or more weeks

Diabetes

A disease in which blood sugar is too high; it may be treated through diet, oral medications and insulin injections

Diagnosed

Found out what is making a person ill by doing exams and lab tests

Diagnosis

The act of determining the cause of a disease or injury; the name of a health problem

Diarrhea

Loose bowel movements that happen often

Digestion

The way the body breaks down food for growth and energy

Digestive system

A group of organs including the spit glands, mouth, food tube, liver, stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, small bowel, large bowel and anus; these organs take in food and break it down into products that your body uses to stay healthy

Dilated

Bigger, wider or opened up

Dilation

When an organ or part of the body stretches out

Disability

A physical or mental impairment; the problem may be there from birth or from injury or illness

Discharge

The flow of fluid from a body part

Doctor

A health care expert who finds and treats health problems

Douching

Using liquid to clean the vagina

Down syndrome

A birth defect causing some level of mental handicap; a baby with Down syndrome will have slanting eyes, broad hands and short fingers

E

Early labor

When labor begins and your womb contracts at regular times

Effacement

Thinning of the cervix to prepare for childbirth

Embryo

The early stages of your baby growing in your womb, from two weeks old to eight weeks old

Emergency room

A place in a hospital or clinic for treating urgent medical problems

Endometrial cancer

A cancer in the inner lining of the womb

Epidural

A way to place drugs for pain in the lower spine; this is done by using a needle and thin plastic tube called a catheter

Episiotomy

A small cut made to the vagina to keep it from tearing during the birth of the baby

Esophagus

The organ that connects the mouth to the stomach; it serves as a food tube

Estrogen

A female sex hormone produced by the ovaries

Exhaustion

Feeling very tired and weak

F

Fallopian tubes

The tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus; the egg travels from the ovary to the womb through these tubes

False labor

Contractions that do not cause any thinning or dilation of the cervix; often called Braxton-Hicks or practice contractions

Family medical history

A review of the health of your relatives

Fatigue

Low energy; feeling weak or tired

Fetal

About an unborn baby

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

Disorders that can occur in a baby whose mother drank alcohol while pregnant; FAS can cause physical, mental and behavior problems

Fetus

A baby growing in the womb from the ninth week after it is made to birth

Fever

Too high a body temperature

Fiber

A part of some foods that your body can't break down, which helps the body get rid of waste with a bowel movement

Folic acid

A needed B vitamin

Foreskin

A loose fold of skin that covers the tip of the penis

Fortified

Something added to a food or drink that makes it better for you, such as a vitamin

Full-term

A pregnancy that lasts 40 weeks

G

Genetic:

About the genes; passed down from parent to child

Genital

About the sex organs

Genital herpes

A disease passed from one person to another during sex; it is caused by a herpes virus, causes blisters on the sex organs and can be passed through having sex

Gestational diabetes

A type of diabetes that can happen when a woman is pregnant

Glucose

A sugar in your blood that gives your body energy

Gonorrhea

A disease that is passed from one person to another during sex

Gut

The area from the stomach to the bowels

H

Health care

Services given to help a person achieve a state of wellness

Health care provider

An expert who is approved to give out health services

Heart

The muscle that moves blood or pumps blood to all parts of your body

Heart attack

Damage done to the heart muscle that happens when too little blood flows to the heart

Heart rate

The speed of your heartbeat

Hematocrit

The amount of red blood cells in the blood

Hemoglobin

The substance in red blood cells that helps them carry oxygen; it also gives the cells their red color

Hepatitis B

A serious liver infection

High blood pressure

Also known as hypertension, it is most often defined as a repeated measurement of 140/90 mmHg

High-risk pregnancy

Having a higher-than-normal chance of health problems for you or your baby

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus; it is the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS; HIV damages a person's body by destroying cells that are crucial to helping fight diseases

Hormones

Chemicals that are made by one part of your body, yet affect another part of your body; hormones most often travel in the bloodstream and control how some cells and organs behave in your body; hormones also can be man-made

Hospital

A place where you get health care, urgent care or surgery

Hyperemesis

Throwing up in pregnancy that leads to 5 percent or more of body weight loss; severe morning sickness

Hyperventilation

Breathing that is too fast

I

Ibuprofen

A drug that lessens pain, swelling and fever

Immune

When the body is able to protect itself from illness

Immune system

The part of your body that fights off infection and disease

Immunizations

Also known as vaccines; shots that are given to protect your body from bacteria or viruses

Incompetent cervix

A weaker-than-normal cervix that widens from the weight of the growing baby in the womb; it may cause a pregnant woman to have a baby early or lose the baby

Incontinence

Not able to control the bladder or bowels

Indigestion

Heartburn or upset stomach

Infection

An illness caused by germs

Infertility

Not being able to produce a child; a couple is considered infertile after trying to make a baby for one year without using any form of birth control

Influenza

The flu; a bad illness that affects the airways and lungs and causes fever, headache, body aches, runny nose, sore throat or cough; it spreads fast from person to person

Insomnia

Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep

Insulin

A hormone made by the pancreas to help the body use blood sugar for energy; it is used as a drug to treat high blood sugar in people who are diabetic

Internal organs

The inside parts of your body; organs inside your body

Intervention

A drug or practice that tries to solve a medical problem

Intestines

The long, tube-shaped part of your body that helps digest and break down food

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)

When the fetus is growing at a slower-than-normal rate; after birth, the baby is smaller than normal; formerly known as intrauterine growth retardation

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

The joining of a man's sperm and woman's egg outside a living body, as a way to make a woman pregnant

J

Jaundice

Too much bile in the blood, which causes the skin, gums and whites of the eyes to turn a yellow color

Joint

The bendable area where the ends of two bones meet

K

Kegel exercises

A type of exercise that strengthens the pelvic muscles; this helps control urine from flowing

Kidney disease

A health problem when there is damage to one kidney or both kidneys

Kidneys

A pair of organs that are shaped like kidney beans and are found in your lower back; they serve as your body's filters by cleaning waste from your blood and make urine that is stored in your bladder

L

Labor

Giving birth to a baby from the time contractions start to delivery

Lactation

Making milk to breastfeed babies

Lamaze

A method that teaches pregnant women deep breathing and relaxation

Leukemia

Cancer of the blood where too many white blood cells are made in the body

Leukorrhea

White discharge from the vagina when a woman is pregnant

Lifestyle

The choices you make about the way you live; examples: whether or not to exercise and whether or not to eat foods that are healthy

Lightening

When a baby settles into the mother's pelvis to prepare for birth

Lochia

Normal pink to red colored discharge from the vagina after a woman gives birth; it may last one or two weeks

Lungs

The two main organs in your chest for breathing

Lupus

A disease where the body's immune system attacks the body's cells and tissue; it can cause problems with the skin, joints and organs

M

Magnesium

A mineral that your body needs

Marijuana

Dried leaves of the cannabis plant used as a drug; people smoke it or eat it

Maternity leave

The time spent at home after your baby is born before going back to work

Meconium

A baby's first stool that is green, sticky or tarry

Medications

Medicines or drugs, often prescribed by a doctor

Medicine

Compounds that prevent or treat illness; also called drugs or medications

Menstraul

About periods

Miscarriage

Loss of pregnancy that happens when the fetus has been in the womb for 20 weeks or less

Misoprostal

A drug used to treat problems in the digestive system or to start labor

Mucus

A clear, slimy substance found in the nose and other body passages

Mucus plug

A plug of mucus that blocks the cervix of a pregnant woman to keep germs from getting into the womb; when the plug is passed, it means labor is near

Muscle

The type of tissue that allows your body to move; it is classified as skeletal, cardiac or smooth muscle

N

The National Institutes of Health

National agencies that study and give out information about health problems

Nausea

A sick, upset feeling in the stomach

Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

An area of a hospital that cares for sick or premature infants

Nerves

A bundle of fibers that carry messages to and away from the brain and spinal

Nervous system

The brain, brain stem, spinal cord, nerves and nerve tissue

Niacin

A B vitamin that your body needs

Nicotine

A drug found in tobacco plant; in small amounts it forms a habit, but in larger amounts it is very toxic

Non-invasive

Not breaking, cutting or entering the skin

Non-stress test

A test to check an unborn baby's heartbeat in the womb

Nurse midwies

Nurses who are trained and certified in birthing; these nurses do many of the same tasks as a doctor during childbirth

Nurse practitioner

A nurse with special training in primary or a specialty health care field such as pediatrics who can do many tasks performed by doctors

Nutrition

The way your body takes in and uses food and drinks for helping growth and replacing worn or injured tissue

Nutritious

Healthy food; good for you

O

Obstetrician

A doctor who treats pregnant women and delivers babies

Obstetrics

The area of health care that treats women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant

Organs

Groups of tissues in your body that perform a special function

Orgasm

Sexual climax

Osteoporosis

A condition where bones are thin and weak and break easily

Over-the-counter (OTC)

Drugs that a person buys at the store without a prescription from a doctor

Overweight

Weighing more than is healthy; too heavy

Oxytocin

A hormone made by the pituitary gland in a woman during labor; also used as a drug to speed up labor

P

Pancreas

A large organ that helps you digest food; it also makes some important hormones, such as insulin

Pantothenic acid

A B vitamin that your body needs

Pap smear

Scraping cells from a woman's cervix to check for any cells that may be cancer or lead to cancer

Patient

A person who receives health care

Pediatrician

A doctor who treats babies and children

Pediatrics

The area of health care that treats the health needs of children

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

An infection that can spread through the vagina and womb into a woman's pelvis

Penis

A man's outer sex organ; semen and urine leave the body through the penis

Pitocin

A drug given through an IV to help start labor

Placenta

The tissue that connects you and your unborn baby in your womb; it brings food to your baby and takes waste out

Placenta previa

When the placenta is attached too low in the womb

Platelets

Blood cells that help blood to clot and can clump to form a blockage

Postpartum

The period of time right after a baby's birth

Preeclampsia

An emergency health problem causing high blood pressure and swelling during pregnancy

Pregnancy

Carrying an unborn baby in your womb

Premature birth

Babies born before spending 37 weeks in the womb

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

A health problem some women get in the last half of their menstrual cycle before their period; signs include sore breasts, bloating, anger or depression

Prenatal

Before a baby is born

Prescription

An order written by a doctor for a drug, test or other health service

Prescription drugs

Drugs and medications that, by law, must be dispensed by a written prescription from a licensed doctor

Preterm birth

Babies born before spending 37 weeks in the womb; also known as premature birth

Progesterone

A female hormone

Q

R

Rectum

The lower part of the large bowel that ends at the anus

Red blood cells

Blood cells that carry oxygen to your body's tissues

Reproductive organs

Body parts for making or having children

Retardation

Slowness in developing

Riboflavin

A B vitamin that your body needs

Risk factors

Factors that may affect a person's health, such as genes, habits and family history

Rubella

Also known as German measles; it is dangerous to a woman in early pregnancy; signs include a skin rash and fever

Ruptured membranes

When the fluid around the baby in the womb breaks or tears; it may gush out or leak out slowly; pregnant women should call the doctor when the water breaks

S

Screening test

A test that can find an illness early, before a person shows signs of having the disease

Scrotum

The bag of skin that holds a male's testicles

Secretions

When fluid comes out of a body part

Selenium

A mineral that your body needs

Sexually transmitted disease (STD)

A disease that can be passed from one person to another during sex

Sickle cell anemia

A genetic disease of people of African descent and other areas of the world where the blood cells suddenly become an abnormal shape

Sickle cell disease

A genetic disease where the red blood cells suddenly become an abnormal shape and leads to pain and organ damage

Side effects

Unwanted reactions from a drug or treatment

Sorbitol

A sugar alcohol used in some diet foods; also used in some low-sugar drugs for diabetics

Sperm

The male sex cell that joins together with the female's egg to make a baby

Spina Bifida

When bones in the spine are not closed at birth; the nerves and the spinal cord push out through this opening

Spine

The backbone

Sternum

The breastbone

Steroid

A drug to lower swelling and pain

Stethoscope

A tool used to listen to the sounds made by the heart, lungs, bowels and other organs

Stroke

When blood supply to the brain is cut off and sudden death of some brain cells occurs

Sugar

Crystal-like, fine granules made from sugar beets or sugar cane and used to make food sweet; types of sugar include sucrose, lactose and fructose; glucose is the sugar in the blood

Suppository

A drug form that is placed into the rectum or vagina

Sugery

Treating people by opening them up to remove or repair parts of the body

Swab

A small piece of gauze or cotton used to clean wounds or other parts of the body; mucus or other material taken from the body for a sample that can be tested

Sweat glands

Glands that make sweat

Symptoms

Signs of illness, disease or other medical conditions

Syndrome

A group of signs brought on by disease that a doctor can recognize

Syphilis

A sexually transmitted disease caused by germs spread by having sex

T

Temperature

A measure of how hot or cold something is

Testicles

The male sex glands that make sperm and the hormone testosterone

Thiamine

A B vitamin that your body needs

Throat

The passage of the stomach and lungs between the mouth and food tube (esophagus); the throat is used for swallowing

Thyroid gland

A gland in the front of your neck that is under your voice box; it helps control metabolism

Tissue

A group of cells that work together to make up parts of the body

Toxemia

High blood pressure in pregnant women

Toxoplasmosis

Health problem caused by germs found in garden soil and stools from cats; it is not very harmful to healthy adults, but it can hurt an unborn baby in the womb

Transparent

Clear, or see-through

Treatment

Medical care received for a specific illness or condition

Trimester

Each three-month period during the nine months you are pregnant

U

Ultrasound

A test using sound waves to make a picture of body parts

Umbilical cord

The cord that carries blood, air and nutrients to your unborn baby from your placenta

Urgent care

Situations that are not life threatening and are not medical emergencies, but require prompt medical attention; examples: sprains, high fever and cuts requiring stitches

Urinary

About urine

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

An infection of the bladder or the tubes leading to the bladder

Urinate

To pass urine or pee out of the body

Urine

Yellow fluid that is stored in the bladder and contains body waste; also called pee

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

A federal government agency that reviews and approves new drugs

Uterus

The organ where an unborn baby develops and grows; also known as the womb

V

Vagina

The canal from your womb to the outside of your body

Varicose veins

Bulging, twisted and swollen veins just below the skin

Veins

Tubes inside your body that carry blood back to your heart

Vernix

A white, greasy coat that protects your baby's skin in the womb

Vertebral column

The spine

Virus

A tiny germ that can make a person sick

Vision

Eyesight. What a person can see

Vomiting

The forceful throwing out of stomach contents through the mouth, or throwing up

W

White blood cells

Cells that help the body heal wounds and fight infection and illness

X

X-rays

Tests that use radiation to make pictures of the tissues, bones and organs onto film

Y

Yoga

A workout that combines breathing with physical and mental exercise; a lifestyle designed to bring spiritual and physical well-being; yoga techniques are used to improve health problems and reduce stress and to increase strength and flexibility

Z

Zinc

A mineral needed by the body