Abdomen The tummy area from the lower ribs to the pelvis.

Abdominal Of the abdomen .
Abortion Ending a pregnancy using either medicines (medical
abortion ) or an operation (surgical abortion ).
Acute Sudden and severe.
Adenomyosis Endometriosis  in the muscle wall of the uterus.
Adhesions Scars that connects two or more body structures
together.
Amniocentesis A way of testing the fluid surrounding a baby in the womb
by taking a small sample with a needle put into the womb
through the abdomen. It can be carried out after the 15th
week of pregnancy, and can detect some conditions, like
Down syndrome.
Amniotic fluid The watery liquid surrounding and protecting the growing
fetus in the uterus.
Amniotic sac The pregnancy sac containing the baby and the amniotic
fluid. It is sometimes also called "the membranes".
Anaemia A condition when the level of haemoglobin, the protein in
blood which carries oxygen round the body, is lower than
normal. It can be mild or severe and can cause tiredness,
breathlessness, fainting, headaches. It can also cause
your heart to beat faster.
Anaesthesia A medical way of relieving pain.
Anaesthetist A doctor trained to administer anaesthetics.
Anal sphincter The muscle around the anus that is squeezed to prevent
passing wind or opening the bowels involuntarily.
Anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening
allergic reaction that needs immediate treatment.
Antiphospholipid syndrome A condition caused by your immune system mistakenly
attacking healthy cells in your body. It can increase your
risk of blood clots and of pregnancy complications such
as recurrent miscarriage or stillbirth
Antiphospholipid syndrome A condition caused by your immune system mistakenly
attacking healthy cells in your body. It can increase your
risk of blood clots and of pregnancy complications such
as recurrent miscarriage or stillbirth
Antenatal (prenatal) Before birth.
Anthracyclines Antibiotic drugs used in cancer chemotherapy.
Antibiotics Medicines to fight an infection caused by bacteria .
Antibody Blood protein that helps fight attacks on the immune
system , such as those caused by bacteria and viruses.
Anticoagulant medication Medicines to reduce clotting in the blood vessels.
Anti-D See RhD antigen .
Antigen A substance in the blood that helps trigger the immune
system  to develop antibodies. See blood group .
Anti-inflammatory drugs Medicines to stop or reduce swelling and redness.
Antiretroviral drugs/therapy Medicines used to block the action of retroviruses (such
as the HIV/AIDS virus) and the progress of infection. See
also HAART , HIV  and retrovirus .
Antispasmodic drugs Drugs which relieve cramps or spasms of the stomach,
 intestines, bladder and womb (uterus ).
Anus The opening of the rectum to the outside of the body.
Assisted birth When special instruments (forceps  or ventouse ) are used
(instrumental birth/operative vaginal to help deliver the baby during the pushing part of labour.
delivery)
Assisted conception/assisted Treatments to help people conceive a baby. See
reproductive techniques (ART) also: intrauterine insemination , in vitro
fertilisation , intracytoplasmic sperm injection , donor
insemination .
Autoimmune response When the body produces antibodies  which react against
the body’s own tissues.
Bacteria Tiny organisms that may cause certain infections.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) A very common vaginal infection which results in
discharge and soreness. It is caused by an imbalance in
the types of bacteria in the vagina. It is not sexually
transmitted and does not affect men.
Bicornuate uterus (womb) A heart-shaped uterus. Usually the uterus would be pear-
shaped.
Bile acids Bile acids are made in your liver and they help you to
digest fat and fat soluble vitamins. Intrahepatic
cholestasis of pregnancy (obstetric cholestasis) is where
you have a build up of bile acids in your body.
Biopsy The taking of a small sample of tissue for examination.
Birth asphyxia When a baby has experienced a reduced level of oxygen
around the time of birth. Affected babies may not breathe
normally and may have a low heart rate.
Bladder The organ in the pelvis  which stores urine before it is
passed out through the urethra .
Bladder training A way of teaching your bladder to hold more urine. It
helps to reduce the number of times you need to pass
urine and reduce urgency.
Blood group The way blood is classified by proteins (known as
antigens) on the surface of your red blood cells. Group A
blood has A antigens , group B blood has B antigens,
group AB blood has both A and B antigens and group O
blood has no antigens.
Body mass index (BMI) A measurement to work out the range of healthy weights
for a person. It is calculated by dividing your weight (in
kilograms) by your height (in metres squared – that is,
your height in metres multiplied by itself). The healthy
range is between 19 and 25.
Brachial plexus injury Damage to the nerves in a baby’s neck.
BRCA The name “BRCA” is an abbreviation for “BReast CAncer
gene.” BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two different genes that
have been found to impact a person's chances of
developing cancer. Every human has both the BRCA1
and BRCA2 genes, which play an essential role in
keeping our DNA intact.  Alterations (mutations) causing
loss of function in either of these genes are associated
with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
 Mutations in BRCA2 are also associated with prostate
and pancreatic carcinoma, melanoma and sarcomas.
Breech position When the baby is lying bottom first in the womb .
CA125 A protein in the blood that is raised in ovarian cancer. It
can also be raised in endometriosis, pregnancy and
infection.
Caesarean birth An operation in which a baby is born through a cut made
in the wall of the abdomen and the uterus. It may be
done as a planned (elective) or an emergency procedure.
Cancer A disease of the cells.
Candida albicans See vaginal thrush .
Cardiotocography (CTG) A machine which traces the baby’s heart rate and the
woman’s contractions before and during birth to assess
the baby’s wellbeing.
Catheter A small tube that can be passed through a part of the
body, for example through the urethra  (to empty the
bladder).
Cell The tiny building blocks which make up the organs and
tissues of the body.
Cephalhaematoma A bruise on the newborn’s head caused by a suction cup
being used to help deliver the baby.
Cervical screening An internal swab test to check your cervix is healthy. It is
sometimes called a smear test.
Cervix The entrance or neck of the womb , at the top of
the vagina .
Chickenpox A viral infection (also called herpes  zoster, varicella or
varicella zoster). If a pregnant woman catches
chickenpox, it may cause problems for her baby.
Chignon A swelling on the baby’s head as a result of
a ventouse  birth. It settles within a day or so.
Chlamydia trachomatis A sexually transmitted infection which can damage the
reproductive system of both men and women if it is not
treated promptly. Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics.
Both partners require treatment.
Cholesterol The name for a group of blood fats. It includes LDL, or
low-density lipoprotein, which is ‘bad’ cholesterol; HDL,
or high-density lipoprotein, which is ‘good’ cholesterol;
and triglycerides (TG). A high level of cholesterol in the
blood is a major risk factor for heart attack and indirectly
increases your risk of stroke.
Chocolate cysts Cysts which form on the ovaries in some women who
have endometriosis. Also known as endometriomas.
Chorioamnionitis An infection inside the uterus affecting the membranes
(called the chorion and amnion) which surround the
amniotic fluid.
Chromosomal abnormality A different number or arrangement of chromosomes from
the usual pattern.
Chromosomes The genetic  structures within cells which contain our
DNA (the material that carries genetic information). A
normal cell contains 46 chromosomes. See also gene .
Chronic Something that persists or continues for at least six
months.
Clear margins When no cell changes are present along the edge of
tissue removed during treatment for cervical cell
changes.
Clinical guidelines Statements based on properly researched evidence
which help healthcare professionals and patients to make
decisions about medical care and treatments.
Clitoris A small organ under a fold of skin at the top of the vulva .
The external part is about the size of a pea. When a
woman is sexually aroused it swells with blood and
produces feelings of sexual pleasure when stimulated.
CMV A common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus
that is spread from person to person by bodily fluids
(blood, breast milk, saliva and semen). CMV does not
usually cause symptoms in healthy people, but if you
catch it for the first-time during pregnancy it can
sometimes be passed to the baby which can cause them
to have health problems.
Colostrum The first breastmilk produced during pregnancy and in
the first few days after your baby is born.
Colposcope A type of microscope used to see the cervix in detail
during colposcopy. It has a light attached and stays
outside of the body.
Colposcopist, colposcopy nurse A doctor or nurse who has completed medical or nursing
specialist or nurse colposcopist training and continued onto colposcopy training.
Colposcopy A hospital examination used to diagnose, monitor and
treat cervical cell changes.
Complementary therapy Treatments and therapies that are not part of
conventional medicine. Examples include acupuncture,
homeopathy and herbal medicine.
Complete miscarriage When all the tissue associated with a pregnancy has
gone and the uterus is empty.
Complications Problems that develop after an operation, treatment or
illness.
Consultant-led A  consultant led maternity unit is a maternity unit where
there are specialist doctors (obstetricians and
anesthetists) as well as midwives, available at all times
to look after you during your labour and the birth of your
baby. There will also be neonatologists (doctors who
specialize in the care of new born babies) available to
look after your baby if they need additional support at
birth. You may be advised to give birth in a consultant led
unit if you have risk factors which may make labour or
birth more complicated for you or your baby. 
Conception When an egg is fertilised by sperm and then starts to
grow in the womb.
Condition A state of being, like being healthy or fit, or having a
problem, such as a heart problem.
Continence Having full control of the bladder and/or bowel. See
 also stress incontinence .
Contraception Contraception, or birth control, is what you and your
partner can use to help prevent an unwanted pregnancy
or to space out your pregnancies. There are many
different forms of contraception  including condoms,
hormonal pills and implants, hormonal and non-hormonal
coils and permanent methods such as female sterilization
or vasectomy. You can get more information about
contraception from your GP or a family planning clinic.

Corticosteroids A group of hormones  which may be used to suppress the

body’s immune response or to reduce inflammation. Also
used during pregnancy in women who are thought may
have their baby prematurely. They reduce the chance of
the baby having problems from being born prematurely.
See also steroids .
Counsellor A trained professional who helps people to make sense
of feelings and issues.
CTG (cardio-tocograph) This is a machine that measures your baby's heart beat
and your contractions by using sensors that are attached
to your abdomen with an elastic belt
Cystocele When the bladder bulges into the weakened wall of the
vagina. A lump may be seen or felt.
Dilatation and evacuation (D&E) Surgery using instruments to end the pregnancy.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) A blood clot that forms in a deep vein.
Delayed cord clamping Delaying the cutting of the umbilical cord for a few
minutes, which allows time for extra blood to flow from
the placenta into the baby.
Delayed miscarriage/missed A pregnancy that has ended although the fetus is still
miscarriage/silent miscarriage inside the uterus. Sometimes, because the fetus hasn’t
developed, it can no longer be seen and there is just a
fluid-filled sac inside the womb.
Delivery Birth of a baby and its afterbirth (see placenta ). A baby
may be delivered through the vagina  or by caesarean
section .
Diabetes A condition caused by high levels of glucose (a form of
sugar) in the blood. The amount of glucose in your blood
is controlled by a hormone  called insulin. See also
Diabatetes Type 1 and Type 2 below.
Diabetes – Type 1 A serious, lifelong condition where your blood glucose
level is too high because your body can't make a
hormone called insulin, which controls blood glucose.
Diabetes – Type 2 A serious condition where the insulin your pancreas
makes can’t work properly, or your pancreas can’t make
enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that controls blood
glucose levels. If you blood glucose levels are too high it
can cause a variety of health problems for you
Diagnosis The way a medical professional recognises a condition or
disease.
Diathermy A surgical procedure to heat up and destroy body tissue
 or stop bleeding. Also known as electrocoagulation.
Dilatation The process of your cervix opening during labour.
Discharge letter A letter a hospital doctor sends to a GP once treatment
has finished telling the GP what has been done. The
patient should be given a copy.
Disease An abnormal condition in the body causing harm.
Donor insemination When sperm  from a donor is put into a
woman’s vagina , cervix  or womb  to help start a
pregnancy.
Doppler A method for measuring the flow of blood, for example
through the umbilical cord during pregnancy.
Dysmenorrhoea Painful periods.
Dyspareunia Pain during or after sexual intercourse.
Ectopic pregnancy When a fertilised egg (embryo ) implants outside
the womb  (usually in one of the fallopian  tubes ).
Early miscarriage When a woman loses her baby in the first three months
of pregnancy.
Early pregnancy assessment unit A clinic that specialises in problems in early pregnancy
(under 12 weeks) where a woman receives medical care,
counselling and treatment as required.
Eclampsia Seizures/fits that are a potentially life-threatening
complication of pre-eclampsia .
Electrocoagulation See diathermy .
Embryo A fertilised egg.
Emergency caesarean delivery A caesarean delivery which was not planned during
pregnancy. It is usually done because labour is not
progressing normally or when the baby is unable to cope
with labour and becomes distressed.
Endometriosis A condition where cells of the lining of the womb
(the endometrium ) are found elsewhere, usually around
the pelvis  and near the womb.
Endometritis Inflammation of the lining of the womb, causing
discomfort or pain.
Endometrium The lining of the womb (uterus).
Enzyme A protein found in cells that speeds up chemical
reactions in the body.
Epidural An anaesthetic injection into the space around the nerves
in your back to numb the lower body.
Episiotomy A cut made through the vaginal wall and perineum to
make more space to deliver the baby.
Erb’s palsy Damage to the nerves in the baby’s neck (brachial plexus
injury ) which reduces movement of and feeling in the
baby’s arm.
Estrogen A female sex hormone produced by the ovaries as part of
the menstrual cycle . It encourages an egg to mature and
prepares the womb for a pregnancy. Levels vary during
the menstrual cycle.
Evidence-based medicine A way of using reliable, objective, up-to-date evidence
about how well different treatments or interventions work.
It is also used to diagnose or predict the course of
 specific conditions.
Extended or frank breech The baby is bottom first, with the thighs against the chest
and feet up by the ears. Most breech babies are in this
position.
External cephalic version (ECV) Gentle pressure applied to the abdomen, if the baby is
breech, by the obstetrician or midwife towards the end of
pregnancy to help the baby turn in the uterus so it lays
head first.

Fallopian tubes The pair of hollow tubes leading from the womb to
the fimbriae  near the ovaries . Each month one ovary
releases an egg, which moves down the fallopian tube
into the womb. The fallopian tube is where the egg is
fertilised by sperm  in natural conception.
Fecundity Being fertile.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) The partial or total removal of a woman’s external
genitals or other deliberate injury to her genital organs. It
is illegal in the UK.
Fertilisation When a sperm  enters an egg and an embryo  forms.
Natural fertilisation takes place inside a woman’s
fallopian tubes. It can also take place outside the body,
which is known as assisted conception. Techniques
include IVF. See IVF  and ART .
Fertility The ability to conceive a baby and, for a woman, to
become pregnant.
Fertility drugs Treatment to encourage the ovaries to produce an egg. It
is used during treatment for infertility.
Fertility problem/infertility/subfertility When a couple fail to conceive after having regular
sexual intercourse for more than a year. ‘Regular’ is
defined as two or three times a week.
Fetus An unborn baby.
Fetal medicine specialist A doctor who specialises in the growth, development,
care and treatment of an unborn baby.
Fibroids Non-cancerous growths that develop in the muscle
(myometrium) of the womb (uterus). A woman can have
one fibroid or many, and they can be of different sizes.
Fibroids are sometimes known as uterine myomas or
leiomyomas.
Fimbriae The fern-like ends of the fallopian tubes , near the
ovaries.
First-degree tear A small skin-deep tear of the perineum during childbirth
which usually heals naturally.
Flexed breech position The baby is laying bottom first in the womb, with the
thighs against the chest and the knees bent
Folic acid A B vitamin which reduces the risk of a baby being born
with a spinal defect such as spina bifida. Ideally, a
woman should take folic acid (400 micrograms) 3 months
before conceiving. All women should take it for the first
12 weeks of pregnancy. A higher dosage (5 mg) is
recommended if you are overweight, on epilepsy
 treatment, are diabetic or are having twin/triplets.
Follicle The part of the ovary  where the egg develops.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) Hormones which help the development of follicles  during
a woman’s menstrual cycle  and regulate sperm and
hormone function in men.
Footling breech When a breech baby’s foot or feet are lying below its
bottom.
Forceps delivery Smooth metal instruments like large spoons or tongs
which are used to help deliver the baby. See
also assisted birth .
Fourth-degree tear A tear during childbirth which extends to the anal canal
as well as the rectum.
Gamma globulin (IgG) A natural substance in the blood that protects against
disease and infection. It is also used as a drug to boost
immunity.
Gastroenteritis Inflammation of the stomach and intestines, usually
resulting in diarrhoea or vomiting.
Gastrointestinal Relating to the stomach and intestine.
Gene A biological unit which passes on inherited information
from parent to child, like facial characteristics.
Genetic Relating to, caused or controlled by genes .
Genetic counselling Discussions with a specialist to help you decide what to
do if you, your partner or a close relative is found to carry
an inheritable disease.
Genitals The sexual organs: in a woman, the vagina  and vulva ;
and in a man, the penis and testicles.
Genital herpes An infection caused by the virus Herpes simplex (the
virus that also causes cold sores). It is passed from one
person to another by skin-to-skin contact. See
also herpes .
Gestation The time between conception and birth, when
the fetus  grows and develops inside the mother’s womb.
Gestational age The age of the baby in the womb, measured in weeks
from the first day of the woman’s last menstrual period. A
normal pregnancy lasts between 37 and 41 completed
weeks, so a baby’s gestation is usually around 40 weeks.
Gestational diabetes A form of diabetes triggered during pregnancy.
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease An uncommon group of conditions involving the placenta,
(GTD) which includes complete and partial molar pregnancies
Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia This is a rare form of cancer which can develop from a
(GTN) molar pregnancy or other forms of gestational
trophoblastic disease
Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone A synthetic hormone-like drug which holds back the
agonist production of eggs.
Gonadotrophins Hormones that help ovulation  in women and the
production of sperm  in men. See also follicle-stimulating
hormone , human chorionic gonadotrophin  and luteinising
hormone .
Gonorrhoea A sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria
Neisseria gonorrhoea or gonococcus. It is treated with
 antibiotics, and can cause long lasting damage in both
partners if left untreated.
Graduated elastic compression An elasticated stocking which helps reduce swelling from
stocking deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Group B streptococcus (GBS) A bacterium that is commonly present within the vagina.
However, it can cause a serious infection in a newborn
baby. It can also cause infection in the womb
(endometritis).
Guideline Recommendations for good medical practice. They help
patients and their medical teams make decisions about
care (like those produced by the RCOG ) and are
developed by specialist teams who look at the best
evidence available about care or treatment for a
particular condition.
Gynaecologist A doctor who treats medical conditions and diseases that
affect women and their reproductive organs.