Key Terms

adolescent pregnancy

one that occurs in persons between 10 and 19 years of age

anemia

level of red blood cells or hemoglobin that is too low to supply enough oxygen to the tissues of the body

blighted ovum

also known as an anembryonic pregnancy, occurs when a fertilized egg implants into the uterus, but an embryo does not form

cerclage

surgical procedure in which sutures are placed around the cervix to prevent it from dilating

cervical insufficiency

painless dilation of the cervix during pregnancy that often leads to inability to carry the fetus beyond the second trimester

chronic hypertension

high blood pressure that is present prior to pregnancy or before 20 weeks’ gestation

complete abortion

occurs when there is a termination of pregnancy that results in all the products of conception being expelled from the uterus, such as the fetus, placenta, and other tissue

cystic fibrosis

genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which causes thick mucus to build up in various organs of the body, such as the lungs, pancreas, and intestines

dilation and curettage (D&C)

surgical procedure in which the contents of the uterus are removed by dilating the cervix and using a surgical instrument (curette) to evacuate the uterine tissue and lining

disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

serious condition where there is widespread coagulopathy and tiny blood clots form throughout the body

eclampsia

occurs when preeclampsia progresses and the patient develops seizure activity

ectopic pregnancy

occurs when a fertilized egg becomes implanted outside the uterus

fetal resorption

occurs when fetal tissues are broken down into simple molecules, which are easily absorbed by the body of the pregnant person

gestational trophoblastic disease

rare group of tumors caused by an abnormal growth of placental trophoblastic tissue during pregnancy

HELLP syndrome

acronym that stands for Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelet count and is a complication of liver involvement related to preeclampsia

high-risk pregnancy

pregnancy that has an increased likelihood of maternal and fetal complications

hyperemesis gravidarum

condition characterized by severe nausea and vomiting during the first trimester that can lead to electrolyte imbalances, weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration

hyperthyroidism

diagnosed in the setting of high thyroxine (free T4) levels and low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels; clinical signs and symptoms include heat intolerance, weight loss, frequent stools, sweating, palpitations, insomnia, tachycardia, and hypertension.

hypothyroidism

diagnosed in the setting of high thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and low thyroxine (free T4) levels; clinical signs and symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, constipation, muscle cramps, cold intolerance, edema, hair loss, and dry skin

immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)

autoimmune disorder in which platelets are destroyed, which leads to low platelet levels

incomplete abortion

occurs when some of the products of conception are still present in the uterus after the pregnancy has been terminated

inevitable pregnancy loss

occurs when the cervix dilates or the membranes rupture without delivery of the fetus or placenta at less than 20 weeks’ gestation

intrauterine fetal demise

death of the fetus that occurs at any time during pregnancy

missed abortion

also referred to as a missed miscarriage, a type of spontaneous abortion where there is no expulsion of the products of conception and the cervix is closed; the patient may experience minimal to no signs or symptoms of miscarriage

multiple gestation

term used to describe a pregnancy in which there is more than one fetus

oligohydramnios

abnormally low volume of amniotic fluid present during pregnancy

overnutrition

imbalance of nutrition that results from excessive food intake

placenta accreta

occurs when the placenta grows into or through the uterine wall, which can lead to the placenta attaching to nearby pelvic and abdominal organs

placenta previa

placenta that is located near the internal cervical os or covering it

placental abruption

occurs when the placenta separates from the uterine lining, which may lead to significant maternal-fetal blood loss, intrauterine fetal demise, or maternal death

polyhydramnios

abnormally high volume of amniotic fluid that is present during pregnancy

preeclampsia

multisystem disorder that can occur after 20 weeks’ gestation and, if untreated, can lead to damage in the vital organs and cause seizures

preexisting medical condition

medical condition that is present prior to conception

preterm labor

onset of labor before 37 weeks’ gestation, which is considered term gestation

preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM)

occurs when the membranes rupture before term gestation at 37 weeks and there is concern for imminent delivery

recurrent abortion

also known as a recurrent pregnancy loss, refers to two or more consecutive spontaneous abortions that occur before 20 weeks’ gestation

rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

systemic autoimmune disease characterized primarily by joint inflammation

systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues in multiple organ systems

threatened abortion

diagnosed when bleeding occurs without cervical dilation during the first trimester or before 20 weeks’ gestation

tuberculosis (TB)

infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis that primarily impacts the lungs and can cause symptoms such as a chronic cough, hemoptysis, fever, night sweats, chills, fatigue, and chest pain, and symptoms can range from mild to severe

type 1 diabetes

caused by an insulin shortage from an autoimmune process that destroys the pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin

type 2 diabetes

caused by beta cells that do not secrete a sufficient amount of insulin in the setting of insulin resistance

undernutrition

imbalance of nutrition related to inadequate intake of food and necessary nutrients