amniotic fluid The fluid within the sac that surrounds the baby in utero
Apgar score An evaluation of the baby’s health at one and five minutes after birth
aromatherapy Using the scents of flowers and plants for their effects on the physiology
bearing-down reflex A reaction to the pressure of the baby on the pelvic floor, which causes a spontaneous urge to push
bloody show A blood-tinged mucus discharge, or “mucus plug,” which indicates labor is imminent
bonding The natural attachment that develops between parents and child
Braxton Hicks contractions Nonprogressive contractions that feel like menstrual cramps
breath awareness The practice of consciously directing the breath
breathing techniques cleansing breath, rhythmic breath, hee breath, and blow breath
breech presentation When the baby is positioned feet- or bottom-first at the time of delivery
catheter A tube used for injecting or evacuating fluids, e.g., a urinary catheter or an epidural catheter
cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) A relative disproportion of the baby’s head to the mother’s pelvis; i.e., the baby’s head is too large for the birth canal
cervix The necklike opening of the uterus
cesarean section A surgical procedure to deliver a baby through openings made in the abdominal wall and uterus
colic cramping in the abdomen caused by gas in the intestines
colostrum The first milk secreted by the breasts after giving birth
comfort measures Steps taken in labor to maximize comfort
consciousness The continuity of awareness that underlies the mind and the body
contraction The shortening and thickening of a muscle
crowning The appearance of the baby’s head at the opening of the vagina
delivery accessory bag Items collected to make the birthing environment more comfortable
dilation The opening of the cervix in labor
effacement The softening and thinning of the cervix
epidural A regional anesthetic that is administered into a spinal space in the lower back
episiotomy An incision made at the back of the vaginal opening to surgically widen the birth passage
failure to progress The condition in which labor contractions are inadequate to move the baby toward delivery
fetal distress A rise or fall in the fetal heart rate that indicates the baby is not receiving enough oxygen
fontanels The soft, boneless areas in the skull of a young baby that later fuse together
forceps Two spoon-shaped instruments that are applied to the sides of a baby’s head to assist in the delivery process
ghee Clarified butter
herpes simplex An infectious disease caused by the herpes virus
IV drip Intravenous infusions given to the laboring woman to prevent dehydration
life force The biological energy that sustains the physiological functions of the body
lightening A sensation that the baby is dropping lower in the pelvis
lochia The flow of blood and tissue from the vagina after a baby is born
mandala A visual diagram that brings the attention inward
mantra A sound that brings coherence to the mind
mindfulness meditation The practice of observing the flow of breath, which facilitates the quieting of the mind
narcotic A drug that relieves pain by stimulating the brain’s opiate receptors
natural childbirth Delivery of a baby without the use of medications or other medical interventions
nesting urge A sudden burst of energy or desire to prepare for the baby’s arrival that may occur in early labor
neti pot A small ceramic kettle filled with warm salted water used to drain excess mucus from the sinuses
paradigm A model or example; a way of viewing something
pelvic floor toners Exercises to tone and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles; also called Kegel exercises
perineal massage Lubricating and stretching the vaginal tissues prior to delivery to increase their elasticity
perineum The space surrounding the vagina and the rectum
Pitocin A synthesized hormone given intravenously to induce or accelerate labor
placenta The spongy, blood-rich organ that is attached to the inside wall of the uterus through which the baby is nourished
placental abnormalities A condition wherein the placenta is not appropriately positioned or is at risk of separating prematurely
prolapse The moving out of place or falling of an internal organ
rupture of membranes Breaking the bag of amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus
Stage I labor The time period from the onset of labor until the cervix fully dilates
Stage II labor The time period from full cervical dilation until the baby is delivered
Stage III labor The time period after the baby is delivered until the delivery of the placenta
timing of contractions The time between the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next
transition The stage of labor when the cervix is nearing full dilation and contractions are intense and occurring closer together
trimester A period of three months within a pregnancy
umbilical cord The cord that connects the baby to the placenta
uterine massage A gentle massage given to the postpartum woman’s lower abdomen
vacuum extraction Using an instrument that attaches by suction to the baby’s scalp to help ease the baby through the birth canal
welcoming ritual A loving act performed by the parents immediately after the birth of their child to honor his or her arrival in the world