Birth and Labor Terms and Definitions

As you prepare for your baby, knowing the key terms related to birth and labor can make a big difference. Familiarizing yourself with these terms will help you feel more confident and prepared when it comes time for labor and delivery.

This section breaks down essential terms and definitions to help you navigate your birth experience more easily. Whether you’re discussing your birth plan with your provider or making informed decisions during labor, this guide will help you understand the language used in the birthing process. Let’s dive into these important terms to ensure you’re well-prepared for every step of your journey.

Birth and Labor Terms and Definitions

  • Abruptio Placenta (Placental Abruption): The placenta starts to separate from the uterine wall before the baby is born.
  • Amniotic Fluid: The protective liquid surrounding the fetus, mostly made up of fetal urine and water.
  • APGAR: A quick test to check how well the baby is doing right after birth. It measures five things: Appearance (color), Pulse (heartbeat), Grimace (reflexes), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing). Scores are given at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, ranging from 1 to 10.
  • Birthing Person: The individual who is giving birth. This term includes anyone who is pregnant and delivering a baby, regardless of gender.
  • Breech Presentation: When the baby is positioned with its head up so that it will be born feet or buttocks first.
  • Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD): When the baby is too large to fit through the mother's pelvis.
  • Cervidil: A medication used to help the cervix soften and open before labor starts.
  • Cesarean: A surgical procedure where the baby is delivered through an incision in the abdominal and uterine walls. It's also called a C-section or abdominal delivery.
  • Colostrum: The thin, white fluid produced by the breasts in the last weeks of pregnancy before milk comes in.
  • Complete Breech: When the baby's buttocks are presenting at the cervix, and its legs are bent up, making vaginal delivery difficult.
  • Contraction: The tightening of the uterus that helps push the baby down the birth canal.
  • Crowned/Crowning: When the baby’s head has come through the birth canal and is visible at the vaginal opening.
  • Dilation: The process of the cervix opening up in preparation for childbirth, measured in centimeters. Full dilation is 10 centimeters.
  • Effacement: The thinning of the cervix before birth, measured in percentages. 100% effaced means the cervix is fully thinned.
  • Engaged: When the baby’s head (or presenting part) settles into the pelvic cavity, usually in the last month of pregnancy.
  • Epidural: A common form of anesthesia during labor, inserted through a catheter into the space near the spinal cord.
  • Episiotomy: An incision made in the perineum to widen the vaginal opening for delivery.
  • Fetal Distress: When the baby is not getting enough oxygen or is experiencing other problems.
  • Fontanelle: The soft spots on a baby’s skull that allow for some flexibility as the baby passes through the birth canal.
  • Forceps: A tong-shaped instrument used to help guide the baby’s head out during delivery.
  • Frank Breech: When the baby’s buttocks are presenting at the cervix, and its legs are extended straight up towards its head.
  • Incontinence: The inability to control urination, which can happen when the baby puts pressure on the bladder.
  • Induced Labor: When labor is started or sped up using methods like prostaglandin gel, an IV of oxytocin (Pitocin), or breaking the water bag.
  • Jaundice: A condition where the baby’s skin turns yellow due to the liver not yet processing red blood cells efficiently.
  • Labor: The regular contractions of the uterus that help open the cervix and prepare for childbirth.
  • Lightening: When the baby drops lower into the pelvis in preparation for delivery.
  • Meconium: A greenish substance found in the baby’s bowels, usually passed after birth.
  • Neonatologist: A doctor who specializes in the care of newborns.
  • NICU: Stands for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where critically ill or premature newborns are cared for.
  • Nubain: A synthetic narcotic pain reliever used during labor.
  • Oxytocin: A hormone that helps start contractions and the milk-eject reflex. Pitocin is the synthetic form used in labor.
  • Perineum: The area of muscle and tissue between the vagina and the rectum.
  • Phenergan: A sedative that also helps control nausea and vomiting.
  • Placenta: The organ that connects the mother and baby, providing nourishment and removing waste.
  • Placenta Previa: When the placenta covers part or all of the cervix.
  • Posterior: When the baby is facing up during delivery. The normal position is face-down (anterior).
  • Postpartum: The period following childbirth.
  • Post-Term: When pregnancy lasts longer than 42 weeks.
  • Preterm: Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
  • Prostaglandin Cream: Medication used to help soften and open the cervix before labor starts.
  • Provider: A healthcare professional who provides care during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. This can include obstetricians, midwives, nurse practitioners, or family doctors.
  • Ruptured Membranes: When the fluid-filled sac around the baby breaks, which can cause a gush or a slow fluid leak.
  • Speculum: An instrument used to widen the vagina slightly so the cervix can be seen more clearly.
  • Timing Contractions: Measuring the time between the start of one contraction and the start of the next.
  • Transverse: When the baby is lying sideways in the uterus. If the position cannot be corrected, a cesarean will be needed.
  • Umbilical Cord: The cord that carries blood, oxygen, and nutrients from the placenta to the baby.
  • Vacuum Extractor: A device that attaches to the baby’s head to help guide it out of the birth canal during delivery.

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