Glossary of Terms – Pregnancy Definitions
Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy is a complication of pregnancy in which the fertilized ovum is implanted in any tissue other than the uterine wall. Most ectopic pregnancies occur in the Fallopian Tube (so-called tubal pregnancies), but implantation can also occur in the cervix, ovaries, and abdomen.
Last Menstrual Period (LMP)
The date when a woman started her last menstrual period before conception. This is the point in time from which the pregnancy and the age of the unborn baby are measured.
Pregnancy Test
A pregnancy test attempts to determine whether or not a female is pregnant. Records of attempts at pregnancy testing have been found as far back as the ancient Greek and ancient Egyptian cultures. Modern pregnancy tests look for chemical markers associated with pregnancy.
Fetus
A developing unborn baby with an observable human structure.
Pregnancy Calendar
Your day-by-day guide to your body’s changes and baby’s development from conception to birth.
Trimester
An interval of three months used to measure three successive stages of pregnancy; first trimester, second trimester, and third trimester.
Uterus: Female organ where the unborn baby develops during pregnancy.
Natural Childbirth
Natural Childbirth is a philosophy of childbirth that is based on the notion that women, who are adequately prepared, are innately able to give birth to their child without external intervention.
Epidural Anesthesia
The term epidural is often short for epidural anesthesia, a form of regional anesthesia involving injection of drugs through a catheter placed into the epidural space. The injection can cause both a loss of sensation (anaesthesia) and a loss of pain (analgesia), by blocking the transmission of signals through nerves in or near the spinal cord.
Cervix
The bottom opening to the uterus which stretches during labor or abortion.
Conception(also known as fertilization): Joining of a male sperm and the female egg to form a human being at its earliest stage.
Embryo
Human life in the earliest weeks of development when all the organs are formed.
Full Term Pregnancy
The stage at about 40 weeks when the unborn baby is ready for birth.
