- amnioinfusion
- process of replacing amniotic fluid by adding fluid back to the uterus
- anaphylactoid syndrome of pregnancy (ASP)
- (also: amniotic fluid embolus) anaphylactic reaction to amniotic fluid entering the respiratory system
- Bishop score
- tool used to determine if the cervix is favorable
- dystocia
- lack of progress during labor, which could make it prolonged or difficult
- fetal dystocia
- complication in which the fetal head is unable to navigate through the pelvis
- induction of labor
- stimulation of uterine contractions prior to the spontaneous onset of labor
- inversion of the uterus
- uterus turning inside out, protruding through the vagina, and causing a life-threatening complication in the third stage of labor
- labor augmentation
- enhancement of inadequate uterine contractions that have failed to cause cervical dilation, effacement, or fetal descent
- McRoberts maneuver
- process of flexing the laboring person’s legs until the thigh touches the abdomen
- meconium-stained amniotic fluid
- brown or green staining of amniotic fluid due to the fetal passage of meconium
- obstetric forceps
- metal instruments placed on the fetal head to assist in delivery of the fetus
- operative delivery
- refers to the use of forceps or vacuum to assist with a vaginal birth
- pelvic dystocia
- labor complication that occurs when the size of the fetal head is larger than the size of the maternal pelvis due to a small capacity of the pelvic inlet, midpelvis, or pelvic outlet
- precipitous labor
- delivery that is extremely rapid and usually less than 3 hours from start of the contractions to birth
- prolapsed cord
- umbilical cord lying beside or in front of the fetal presenting part
- shoulder dystocia
- impaction of the fetal shoulder into the symphysis pubis or sacral promontory, preventing the delivery of the fetus
- spontaneous abortion (SAB)
- loss of a pregnancy prior to 20 weeks’ gestation
- succenturiate lobe
- accessory lobe that is separate from the main placenta
- uterine dystocia
- labor complication in which lack of cervical dilation occurs due to insufficient contraction strength, frequency, or duration
- uterine rupture
- tearing or opening in the muscle of the uterus
- uterine tachysystole
- more than five contractions occurring in 10 minutes averaged over 30 minutes
- vacuum extractor
- device that uses suction to help deliver the fetal head
- vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)
- successful trial of labor and eventual birth after a previous cesarean birth
- vasa previa
- condition in which fetal vessels implant into the membranes and cross over the cervix in front of the fetal presenting part
- velamentous insertion of the cord
- complication in which the vessels of the umbilical cord branch before reaching the placenta