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Childbirth Related Terms

Amniotic Fluid- The fluid or "waters" surrounding the fetus in the uterus throughout pregnancy
Amniotomy- Artificial rupture of membranes
Areola- The dark area of the nipple
Augmentation- Speeding up labor
Birth Canal- The passage through which the baby passes during childbirth
Cervix- The organ comprising the lower part of the neck of the uterus
Chloasma/Mask of Pregnancy- Pigmentation on the face during pregnancy
Chorion- The outermost membrane of the amniotic sac
Coccyx- The small triangular bone at the base of the spine
Crowning- The point in labor where the baby's head no longer recedes between pushing, maximizing the stretching of the vaginal opening
Dilation- Widening or opening of the cervix
Effacement- Thinning of the cervix
Engagement- The arrival of the baby's head into the mother's pelvis
External Version- External manipulation of the baby's position in the womb
Fetal Distress- Physical stress experienced by the fetus during labor due to lack of oxygen
Fontanel- One of the two soft spots on the baby's scalp (a membrane-covered gap between the bones of the skull)
Fundus- Top of the uterus
Gravida- Pregnant, pregnancies
Lanugo- Fine, soft, downy hair that covers the fetus 
Leboyer- Birth Birthing without violence (based on a method of childbirth that tries to minimize the trauma to newborn) 
Lightening- A feeling experienced by pregnant women when the baby's head drops into the pelvic cavity
Linea Nigra- The dark line between the pubic bone and naval (caused by hormones)
Lochia- Discharge after birth (blood and fragments of the lining of the uterus where the placenta was attached)
Lotus Birth- Keeping the umbilical cord and placenta attached to the infant
Meconium- The thick, sticky, greenish-black feces passed by infants during their first bowel movements
Molding- The odd shape of a baby's head caused from pressures within the pelvis during labor and birth
Multipara- Woman who has had more than one live baby
Occiput- The lower back part of the head, where it merges with the neck
Para/Parity- The number of children born
Parturition- Giving birth
Prolapsed Cord- Condition in which the umbilical cord slips through the cervix before the baby
Quickening- First fetal movements of the fetus (usually between 16 - 20 weeks gestation)
Uterus- Muscular organ of the female reproductive system where a fetus develops 
Wharton's Jelly- Substance within the umbilical cord which expands when exposed to air