During the course of your pregnancy, you'll hear and read many unusual words, terms and abbreviations. Here's a quick guide to what they mean.
|
Amnio |
Amniocentesis (testing amniotic fluid used to diagnose chromosomal abnormalities and fetal infections) |
|
A/N |
Antenatal (before birth) |
|
ARM |
Artificial rupture of membranes |
|
BF |
Breastfeeding |
|
BMI |
Body Mass Index |
|
BM (BSL) |
Blood sugar level |
|
BO |
Bowels open |
|
BP |
Blood pressure |
|
Cervix |
Neck of the womb |
|
CTG |
Cariotocograph (a technical means of recording the fetal heartbeat and uterine contractions during pregnancy). |
|
EBM |
Expressed breast milk |
|
EDD |
Estimated date of delivery |
|
FBC |
Full blood count |
|
Ferritin |
Iron storage protein |
|
FH |
Foetal heart |
|
FMF |
Fetal movements felt |
|
Fundus |
Height on your uterus |
|
GP |
General Practitioner (your local doctor) |
|
Gravida |
Number of pregnancies |
|
Hypertension |
High blood pressure |
|
GTT |
Glucose tolerance test |
|
IOL |
Induction of labour |
|
Involution |
Uterus shrinking back to pre-pregnancy state |
|
Lanugo |
Downy hair on foetus and newborn |
|
Lochia |
Blood loss following birth |
|
LMC |
Lead Maternity Carer |
|
LMP |
Last menstrual period |
|
LSCS |
Lower segment caesarean section |
|
Membranes |
Lining of the sac baby is in |
|
MSU |
Midstream urine |
|
Obstetrician |
Specialised maternity doctor |
|
Palpation |
Feeling your tummy for how the baby is lying |
|
Parity |
Number of babies |
|
Perineum |
The diamond-shaped area including the vagina and anus |
|
P/N |
Postnatal (after birth) |
|
PKU |
Phenylketonuria, a genetic disorder |
|
Preeclampsia |
High blood pressure during pregnancy |
|
PU |
Passed urine |
|
PV |
Per vagina |
|
SBR |
Serum bilirubin (blood test for yellow jaundice) |
|
SROM |
Spontaneous rupture of membranes |
|
Sutures |
Stitches |
|
Symphysis pubis |
The joint at the front of the pelvis kept together by cartilage |
|
Synto |
Syntocinon (Syntocinon contains a synthetic version of the naturally-occurring hormone oxytocin. It is used to induce labour.) |
|
Trimester |
Three-month period of time in pregnancy |
|
Urinalysis |
Testing your urine |
|
USS |
Ultrasound scan |
|
Uterus |
Womb |
|
VE |
Vaginal examination |
|
Vernix |
Waxy white substance covering babies from 20 weeks to 40 weeks |
