Pregnancy dictionary — key pregnancy terms explained

This A–Z pregnancy dictionary explains the biomedical, hormonal and traditional Chinese medicine terms used throughout my pregnancy pages, in my book My Pregnancy Guide, and in clinic consultations. Definitions are drawn from My Pregnancy Guide. For pre-conception terms see the fertility dictionary; for broader TCM terminology see the TCM glossary.

Browse A–Z

A

Acupoints

specific points on the body where acupuncture or moxa are applied.

Acupuncture

the insertion of fine pins into acupuncture points along the meridian channels of the body.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that influences the production of hormones by the adrenals.

Androgens

hormones that are made up of testosterone, androstenedione and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).

B

Blood

the same in both Western and Chinese medicines.

Blood stasis

the impairment of normal blood flow.

BMI (body mass index)

a mathematical equation (divide your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared) that tries to measure a person's body fat.

C

Chinese herbs

parts of plants mixed together to heal the body.

Chinese medicine

a system of medicine that uses observations in Nature to maintain good health. This system of medicine exists not only in China but surrounding countries such as Japan, Korea, Vietnam, etc.

Chorioamnionitis

an inflammation of the foetal membranes due to a bacterial infection caused by an open uterus, also known as intra- amniotic infection (IAI).

CMV (cytomegalovirus)

a herpes virus, which can cause birth defects.

Colostrum

first breast milk that is high in fat and has low levels of lactose.

Contraction stress test (CST)

a test that temporarily reduces blood flow to the baby. A healthy baby is able to compensate for this.

Corpus luteum

the reformation of the collapsed follicle (egg) sac, which releases progesterone and relaxin.

Corticotrophic-releasing hormone (CRH)

affects levels of the stress hormone cortisone and the timing of delivery.

Cretinism

learning difficulties due to hypothyroidism brought about by a lack of iodine in the mother.

Crown-rump length (CRL)

the measurement of the length of your baby from the top of the head (crown) to the bottom of the buttocks (rump) during an ultrasound.

Cryptorchidism

a male baby with undescended testes.

Cyst

a sac-like pocket of tissue that contains fluid, air or other substances.

D

Decidua

the uterus lining (endometrium or endometrial lining).

Dermoid cyst

a small collection of bodily tissues such as hair, teeth, blood, bone, fat, eyes, etc.

Down's syndrome

a trisomy 21 genetic disorder.

E

Eclampsia

a combination of pre-eclampsia together with convulsions (grand mal seizures).

Ectopic

growth of a fertilised egg outside of the uterus.

ECV (external cephalic version)

a medical procedure used to turn a breech baby.

Edwards' syndrome

a trisomy 18 genetic disorder.

Endometrium/endometrial

the lining of the uterus (womb) wall.

Endomyometritis

infection of the uterus.

Extremely low birth weight (ELBW)

a birth weight of less than 1,000g (35.27oz).

F

Fallopian tubes

the tubes that join the ovaries to the uterus.

False labour

when pain is felt in the lower abdomen but does not intensify.

Femur length (FL)

measures the length of the baby's femur (leg bone) during pregnancy using an ultrasound. A shorter-than- expected femur can indicate a higher risk of skeletal dysplasia (dwarfism).

Fibroids

non-cancerous tumours, made up of muscle and fibrous tissue that grow in or around the uterus in various sizes.

Foetal echocardiography

similar to an ultrasound. It checks your baby's heart.

Foetal heart tones

foetal heartbeat.

G

Gestation

the period of pregnancy.

GGD

global growth delay.

H

Harmony test

a blood test that measures the likelihood of carrying a Down's syndrome, Edwards' syndrome or Patau's syndrome baby.

HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)

used by pregnancy tests to detect pregnancy.

HGH

human growth hormone.

HPT

home pregnancy test.

Hypothalamus

the area in the brain that produces gonadotrophin- releasing hormone (GnRH) and oxytocin.

I

IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction)

where the foetus fails to grow at the rate it is predicted to.

J

Jing

also known as essence; a more concentrated form of yin that is housed in the kidneys.

L

Leydig cells

found in male testes and produce testosterone.

Linea nigra

Latin for `black line'. It is a dark vertical line that appears on the abdomen, between the belly button and the pubic area.

Lipids

organic compounds made up of fats and oils.

Lochia

the post-birth vaginal discharge that contains a mixture of blood, mucus and uterine tissue.

Low birth weight (LBW)

a birth weight of less than 2,501g (88.22oz).

M

Macrosomia

excessive foetal growth and size. Weight varies but generally more than 4,500g (10lb).

Meconium

a newborn's first poo, which is dark green in colour.

MIA (maternal immune activation)

an immune response to a virus during pregnancy.

Moxibustion

the use of heat therapy (moxa) on specific acupoints. ng (nanogram): a unit of substance equal to one billionth of a gram.

O

Oedema

fluid retention in areas of the body.

Oestradiol

the most abundant and dominant hormone from the group of oestrogens.

Oestrogen

the group of hormones secreted during pregnancy.

Oxytocin

a hormone that induces labour and the release of breast milk.

P

P4

progesterone.

Patau's syndromes

a trisomy 13 genetic disorder.

Pertussis

whooping cough.

Phytoestrogens

naturally-occurring oestrogens found in plants.

Pituitary gland

the gland that secretes oxytocin.

Placenta

an organ solely for pregnancy that facilities the interaction between mother and baby.

Placental abruption

when the placenta separates from the uterus wall before birth.

Placenta accreta

when the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall.

Placenta previa

when the placenta partially or wholly blocks the neck of the uterus, thereby preventing normal delivery of a baby. pmol (picomole): a unit of substance equal to one trillionth (10-12) of a mole.

Pre-eclampsia (PE)

a disorder of pregnancy characterised by high blood pressure and a large amount of protein in the urine.

Primip

an abbreviation for primigravida, which means a woman who is pregnant for the first time.

Progesterone

a steroid hormone secreted by the corpus luteum and the placenta.

Progestins

a group of steroid hormones produced by the corpus luteum and placenta. The main progestin is progesterone.

Progestogens

a group of steroid hormones produced by the corpus luteum and the placenta. The main progestogen is progesterone.

Prolactin

a hormone that stimulates breast development and lactation.

PROM

an abbreviation for pre-labour rupture of membranes.

Proteinuria

too much protein in the urine (>30mg/mmol).

Q

Qi

energy; from food, air and a person's constitution.

R

Relaxin

a female hormone produced by the corpus luteum and placenta that relaxes the uterus during implantation, pregnancy and labour.

T

TRH

thyrotropin-releasing hormone.

Trimester

a three-month period of pregnancy.

Trophoblasts

the outer cells of an embryo (blastocyst) that form the connection to the uterus and later develop into the placenta.

TSH

thyroid-stimulating hormone.

V

Very low birth weight (VLBW)

a birth weight of less than 1,501g (52.94oz).

Y

Yang

male, the sun, active, midday, hot, summer, etc.

Yin

female, the moon, passive, midnight, cold, winter, etc.

Z

Zika virus

a virus transmitted sexually or via mosquito bites that causes congenital birth defects.

For pre-conception terms see the fertility dictionary; for wider TCM terminology see the TCM glossary.

My Pregnancy Guide

My Pregnancy Guide by Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a comprehensive week-by-week guide to a healthy pregnancy and labour, based on over 750 peer-reviewed research studies and 20 years of clinical experience. It blends the latest evidence-based science with the proven theories of traditional Chinese medicine to give you everything you need for a confident, well-supported pregnancy and a positive birth experience.

The book covers pregnancy week by week, an optimal pregnancy diet and supplements, how to reduce your baby’s risk of developing autism, managing complications including gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia, preparing for labour, pain relief options, acupuncture for labour induction, natural herbs to support birth, and postnatal recovery. Available in paperback, Kindle and ebook from Amazon, Waterstones and all major bookshops.