The term “quickening” is used in the pregnancy and birthing industry to refer to the moment when a pregnant woman first feels her baby move. This typically happens around the 16th week of pregnancy but can occur earlier or later depending on the individual woman. The baby’s movements are often described as flutters, kicks, light tapping, or the fluttering of a butterfly. It can be quite faint at first. As the pregnancy progresses, the baby’s movements become stronger and more […]

Toxemia, also known as preeclampsia, is a condition that can occur during pregnancy in which the mother’s blood pressure becomes elevated and she experiences protein in her urine. While toxemia can occur at any time during pregnancy, it typically develops after the 20th week. There are several factors that can contribute to the development of toxemia, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, history of previous preeclampsia, and in some cases the placenta not developing properly due to a problem with the blood […]

The nuchal fold is a ridge of skin that runs along the back of the neck. When it comes to pregnancy, the term “nuchal fold” refers to a thickened area of skin on the back of the neck of a fetus. Also sometimes referred to as the nuchal ligament, this structure is a fold of skin that extends from the back of the neck down to the base of the spine. It helps to support the head and neck during […]

An enema is a medical procedure whereby liquids are injected into the rectum and colon in order to stimulate evacuation. It is commonly used as a preparation for medical procedures such as a colonoscopy. In the pregnancy and birthing industry, enemas are sometimes used as a means of cleansing the rectum and colon before labor. There are several types of enemas, but the most common involves adding water or saline solution to the rectum via a small tube. The solution […]

The term “in utero” (literally meaning “in the womb”) is commonly used in the pregnancy and birthing industry to refer to the period of time between conception and birth. In medical contexts, the term “in utero” typically refers to the period of time between implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus and birth. However, this definition is not universally accepted, as some sources include the entire gestation period (from conception to birth) under the umbrella of “in utero.” The […]

The term “transverse” is used in the pregnancy and childbirth industry to refer to the position of the fetus in the womb. The fetus is said to be in the transverse position when it is lying horizontally across the uterus, with its head and buttocks pointing in opposite directions. This is in contrast to the more common ” longitudinal ” position, in which the fetus lies vertically in the uterus, with its head pointing downwards. The transverse position is not […]

‘Sore nipples’ is a term used to describe one of the problems that some women encounter during and after breastfeeding. This is a condition where the nipples may become sore, cracked, or inflamed as a result of the suction from the baby’s mouth. Sore nipples are a common problem for new mothers. There are other similar terms that are used to describe this condition, such as ‘nipple pain’ and ‘breastfeeding problems’. However, ‘sore nipples’ is the most commonly used term. […]

In the birth industry, estriol is a type of estrogen, and it is one of the most important hormones during pregnancy. This hormone helps the uterus grow and stay healthy. It is also a hormone that is produced by the placenta and the fetal liver. It helps to regulate the growth and development of the fetus, and it also helps to maintain the pregnancy, and prepare the body for labor and delivery, and breastfeeding. Estriol is similar to other hormones, […]

In the birth industry, dropping is the term used to describe the moment when the baby’s head begins to descend through the birth canal and settles into the mother’s pelvis. In general, dropping is often used to describe the downward movement of the baby. This may be referred to as baby dropping or fetal dropping and is one of the signs that your body is getting ready for labor. Another term for dropping is lightening which is because when the […]

Bishop score is a term used to measure the dilation and effacement of the cervix during labor. The Bishop Score ranges from 0-10, with 0 being completely closed and 10 being fully open. A higher Bishop Score means that the cervix is more dilated and effaced. This image shows how often the term ‘Bishop Score’ is used in relation to other, similar birth terms: The Bishop Score is often used as a predictor of how likely it is for a […]