A birthing room is a facility where women give birth. It is also called a delivery room or a labor ward. The term “birthing room” can be used to refer to the physical space where births take place, or it can be used more broadly to refer to the entire environment surrounding the birth process, including the staff and services available.  The functions of a birthing room vary depending on the type of facility, but they typically include providing a […]

Linea nigra often called pregnancy line, is a dark line that runs from the navel to the pubic bone. It typically appears during pregnancy as a result of increased melanin production and is more common in darker-skinned women. The line usually fades after delivery, but some women may find it permanent. There are no health risks associated with linea nigra, but some women may seek treatments to lighten the line. There are no known risk factors or complications associated with […]

Palpation is a medical term referring to the examination of the body by touch. It is most commonly used in the fields of pregnancy and childbirth, where it is used to assess the size, position, and consistency of the pregnant uterus. Palpation can also be used to check for any lumps or swellings in other parts of the body. There are two main types of palpation: abdominal and vaginal. Abdominal palpation is when the examiner feels the abdomen through the […]

A fetal anomaly is also known as “birth defect” or “congenital anomaly” and is defined as a physical or functional abnormality of the fetus that is apparent at birth or that develops during the first weeks of life. It can affect any part of the body and can be either mild or severe. The causes of fetal anomalies are diverse and some are still unknown. Some of the known causes are genetic abnormalities, exposure to teratogens during pregnancy, and problems […]

The Apgar score is a quick way to assess the health of a newborn baby immediately after birth. It is named after Dr. Virginia Apgar, who developed it in 1952. The score is based on a scoring system from 0 to 2 for five different categories: heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflexes, and color. A total score of 10 is considered normal.  The Apgar score is generally done at one minute and five minutes after birth, and sometimes also […]

Transfusion is a procedure where blood is taken from the expectant mother prior to childbirth and stored for transfusion back to her after delivery. The purpose of this procedure is to reduce the risk of complications associated with allogeneic transfusions resulting in transfusion reactions, such as immunologic reactions or transmission of infectious diseases. Additionally, autologous transfusion may be used in cases where there is a shortage of allogeneic blood. Transfusion reactions can occur when incompatible blood types are mixed, such […]

Pelvis is a term used in the pregnancy and birthing industry to refer to the lower section of the abdomen, located between the hips. It is a basin-shaped structure of the bones and joints of the lower limb consisting of four bones: the two hip bones, the sacrum, and the coccyx (tailbone). It is bounded above by the pelvic girdle or hip bones, below by the knees, and behind by the sacrum and coccyx. The pelvis serves to support the […]

The umbilical cord is a cable-like structure that connects the developing embryo or fetus to the placenta. The umbilical cord is typically about 50cm long and 2cm in diameter and is composed of three blood vessels: two arteries and one vein. These vessels carry oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood (called cord blood) from the mother to the fetus, and carbon dioxide- and waste-containing blood from the fetus back to the mother. In addition to its function in connecting the fetus to […]

Pre-Referral is a term used in the pregnancy and birthing industry to mean “the process of making a referral.” It can also be referred to as prenatal care, preconception counseling, or simply pre-referral. Pre-Referral typically occurs when a woman first visits her doctor or midwife for an initial consultation. The purpose of Pre-Referral is to provide information about medical risks and interventions that may be necessary during pregnancy and childbirth.  While Pre-Referral is a vital part of ensuring a healthy […]

Monochorionic twins are a type of identical twins where both babies share the same placenta. This happens when the fertilized egg splits into two separate embryos early on in development, usually within the first week.  Monochorionic twins are at higher risk for certain complications during pregnancy and delivery than other types of twins due to unequal sharing of blood, blood volume, placental nutrients, or a combination of these. These include: 1) Monoamniotic Twins: Also known as “mono mono” twins, these […]