Explore our extensive OBGYN glossary to better understand essential terms related to women’s health, pregnancy, and reproductive care. Stay informed and empower yourself with knowledge.
Comprehensive OBGYN Glossary: Essential Terms for Women’s Health Meta
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Amniotic Fluid | The fluid that surrounds and protects the fetus in the uterus during pregnancy. |
| Birth Plan | A written document outlining a woman’s preferences for her labor, delivery, and postpartum care. |
| Braxton Hicks Contractions | Irregular, often painless contractions that may occur throughout pregnancy but do not signify labor. |
| Cervix | The narrow, lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. |
| Cesarean Section (C-Section) | A surgical procedure to deliver a baby through an incision in the mother’s abdomen and uterus. |
| Contraception | Methods used to prevent pregnancy, including hormonal, barrier, intrauterine, and emergency methods. |
| Dilatation and Curettage (D&C) | A surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated and the uterine lining is scraped or suctioned away. |
| Ectopic Pregnancy | A potentially life-threatening pregnancy that occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. |
| Embryo | An unborn baby from the time of fertilization until the end of the 8th week of pregnancy. |
| Endometriosis | A condition in which the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus. |
| Epidural | A form of regional anesthesia used to block pain during labor and childbirth. |
| Fertility | The ability to conceive and bear children. |
| Fertility Treatments | Medical procedures and therapies used to help couples achieve pregnancy. |
| Fetal Distress | A term used to describe a concerning pattern of fetal heart rate or movement, suggesting the baby is unwell. |
| Fetus | An unborn baby from the end of the 8th week of pregnancy until birth. |
| Gestational Diabetes | A type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy and can affect both the mother and baby if not managed. |
| Hysterectomy | A surgical procedure to remove the uterus, and sometimes other reproductive organs. |
| In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) | A fertility treatment where eggs are fertilized with sperm outside the body and the embryos are implanted. |
| Menopause | The end of a woman’s menstrual cycles and fertility, usually occurring in the late 40s or early 50s. |
| Menstrual Cycle | The monthly hormonal process in women of reproductive age, including menstruation, ovulation, and potential pregnancy. |
| Ovary | One of two small, almond-shaped organs that produce eggs and hormones. |
| Ovulation | The release of a mature egg from the ovary, usually occurring around the middle of a woman’s menstrual cycle. |
| Pap Smear (Pap Test) | A screening test to detect abnormal cells on the cervix that may indicate infection or precancerous changes. |
| Placenta | The temporary organ that develops during pregnancy to provide oxygen, nutrients, and waste removal for the fetus. |
| Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) | A hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age, characterized by irregular periods and ovarian cysts. |
| Postpartum Depression | A mood disorder that affects some women after childbirth, characterized by severe feelings of sadness and anxiety. |
| Preeclampsia | A pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and organ damage, usually after the 20th week of pregnancy. |
| Prenatal Care | Regular healthcare visits and screenings during pregnancy to ensure the health and well-being of the mother and baby. |
| Preterm Labor | Labor that begins before the 37th week of pregnancy, which can result in premature birth and potential health risks for the baby. |
| Progesterone | A female hormone that plays a key role in regulating the menstrual cycle and maintaining pregnancy. |
| Ultrasound | A noninvasive imaging technique that uses sound waves to create images of the inside of the body, often used during pregnancy to monitor fetal development. |
| Umbilical Cord | A flexible, tube-like structure that connects the fetus to the placenta, providing oxygen, nutrients, and waste removal for the baby. |
| Uterine Prolapse | A condition in which the uterus descends into or protrudes out of the vagina due to weakened pelvic floor muscles and ligaments. |
| Uterus | A hollow, muscular organ in the female reproductive system where a fertilized egg implants and grows into a fetus during pregnancy. |
| Vagina | The muscular, tubular canal that extends from the cervix to the vulva, serving as the passageway for menstrual blood, intercourse, and childbirth. |
| Vulva | The external female genitalia, including the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and vaginal opening. |
| Yeast Infection | A common vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of yeast, characterized by itching, burning, and a thick, white discharge. |
| Zygote | The initial cell formed when a sperm fertilizes an egg, representing the first stage in the development of a multicellular organism. |