this lecture was presented to the December 2016 midwifery class of the school for Enrolled Nurses and Midwives in Bansang

1. TERMINOLOGIES USED
IN NORMAL MIDWIFERY:
MR. ABDOU PANNEH
(RM ,FWACN,DHAF,NT, RN)

2. TERMS;
 Amnion:- the inner membrane and the fluid surrounding the
foetus

 Ante-partum - occurring before birth (in reference to the
mother)

 Ballottement- a specific palpation to test for a floating object,
such as a foetus

 Chorion- the outer most foetal membrane

 Embryo- a term used to describe the foetus during its
development phase

 Foetus - the unborn offspring in the post embryonic (7-8wks after
fertilization) period, which develops in the uterus.

3. CONT’D
 Gestation - the period of development of the individual from
fertilization to birth

 Gravid- pregnant; containing a developing child
 Gravida- number of pregnancies

 Polyhydramnios- excessive amniotic fluid surrounding a foetus

 Hyperemesis Gravidarum- is characterised by pernicious vomiting in
pregnancy

 Multipara- a woman who has had two or more pregnancies resulting in a
life birth

 Parturition- the birth process

 Primigravida- a woman pregnant for the first time

 Primipara- a woman who has had one life birth

4. CONT’D
 Quickening- the first movement of the foetus felt by the mother in
pregnancy

 Grand multi-para - a woman who has bore five or more viable
children

 Braxton hicks' contractions- contractions occurring tightening
and relaxing of uterine muscles during pregnancy in preparation for
labour and delivery usually irregular and painless

 Crowning- in child birth, the appearance of the top of the baby’s
head at the vaginal introitus

 Denominator- the part of the presentation that indicates or
determines the position of the foetus. The denominator of the
vertex is the occiput

5. CONT’D
 Effacement- thinning of the cervix in preparation for delivery
(taking up of the cervix)

 Episiotomy- a surgical incision into the perineum usually during
child birth

 Intra partum- occurring during child birth
 Involution- returning of the uterus to its normal size after birth

 Lightening- the feeling of decreased distension caused by the
descend of the pregnant uterus deeper into the pelvis, usually two to
three weeks before delivery

 Lochia- the vaginal discharge occurring for one or two weeks
following child birth

 Parity- number of deliveries

6. CONT’D
 Post-partum- after child birth or delivery

 Presentation- the part of the foetus which lies in the pelvis
brim or in the lower pole of the uterus. There are five types of
presentations:
 1. Cephalic a. vertex b. Face c. Brow
 2. Breech
 3. Shoulder

 Position- the relation of the denominator to the six areas of
the pelvic brim. The areas of the brim are:

 Right anterior Left anterior
 Right lateral Left Lateral
 Right posterior Left posterior

7. CONT’D
 Puerperium- the period immediately after delivery (child
birth) continuing through involution.

 Show - a discharge of blood usually as a beginning sign of
labour

 Doppler’s effect- the relationship of the frequency of waves,
as of sound to the relative motion to the source of waves and
the observer, with the frequency increasing as they move closer
together as in Doppler ultrasound

 Labour- the process by which the uterus contracts and expels
the foetus

 Cephalic- pertaining to the head

8. CONT’D
 Vertex- the part of the foetal head between the anterior
fontanel and the posterior eminence.

 Lie of the foetus- the relationship of the long axis of the
foetus to the axis of the uterus

 Attitude- the relationship of the foetal limbs and head
to its trunk

 Engagement of the head- when the widest diameter of
the foetal head has passed the pelvic brim

9. CLARIFICATION
S &
CONSTRUCTIVE
CRITICISMS???
??