Labor: The rhythmic contractions of the uterine muscles that work to open the cervix and allow a baby to be born.
Lightening: When the fetus descends into the pelvic cavity, causing the mother to experience a sense of "lightening" through her chest and rib cage.
Lochia: A vaginal discharge made up of mucus, blood, and tissue that begins after birth. Can usually last four to six weeks, beginning as a bright red discharge and tapering off to a brown.
Bag Of Waters: The sac of amniotic fluid in which the fetus grows and develops.
Birth Canal: The passageway the baby travels through during birth.
Bloody Show: A mucus discharge that can be tinged with blood that occurs as labor approaches. Can also be yellow tinged and very thick.
Cephalopelvic Disproportion: An occurrence of when a baby's head is too large to pass through the mother's pelvis.
Contraction: The rhythmic tightening of the uterus. Meconium: A newborn's first bowel movements, which are very dark black/green and sticky.
Membranes: Also called the bag of waters.
Please check my next article on October 23 for more labor and delivery terminology!
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