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Pregnancy and antenatal care
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Antenatal | Before birth – the period between conception and birth. Also called prenatal. |
| Antenatal care | Healthcare, support and education received during pregnancy to monitor the health of mother and baby. |
| Antenatal classes | Education sessions during pregnancy that help prepare parents for labour, birth, feeding, caring for a newborn and early parenting |
| Antenatal record | A record of important information about a pregnancy, including health history, test results, appointments and care plans. It helps maternity care providers deliver safe and coordinated care |
| Due date (estimated date of confinement [EDC] and estimated due date [EDD]) | The estimate date when a baby is expected to be born (counted from the first day of the woman's last period). Most babies are born before or after this date, rather than exactly on it. |
| Gestation | The number of weeks of pregnancy from the first day of the mother's last normal menstrual period. |
| Term | A pregnancy that has reached at least 37 weeks' gestation, when the baby is considered ready to be born. |
| Trimester | A full-term pregnancy lasts around 9 months, and most people (including your doctors and midwives) will break this time up into 3 'trimesters' or three stages of pregnancy. Each trimester is associated with different stages of fetal growth and changes. |
| Body Mass Index (BMI) | Obesity is generally defined as a BMI of 30 or more. Individuals with a BMI between 25 and 30 are considered overweight but not obese. This is in line with international guidelines from the World Health Organization. |
| Symphyseal fundal height | The distance between the pubic bone (the symphysis pubis) and the top of the uterus (fundus) measured with a tape measure. |
| Breech position | When the baby is positioned inside the uterus with its bottom or feet down, instead of its head. |
| Cervix | The narrow, lower end of the uterus that softens and opens during labour to allow the baby to come out. |
| Perineum | The area between the vagina and anus. |
| Placenta | The organ that connects to the wall of the uterus, that nourishes the baby through the umbilical cord. |
| Uterus (womb) | A muscular organ in the pelvis where a baby develops during pregnancy. During your pregnancy your uterus grows and undergoes several changes. |
Pregnancy conditions and complications
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Anaemia | When you don't have enough red blood cells or haemoglobin. They are important because they carry oxygen from the lungs around the body. It's important to find and treat the cause of the anaemia to prevent it coming back. |
| Cervical cerclage | A surgical procedure in which a stitch is placed in the cervix during pregnancy to help keep it closed. |
| Eclampsia | The onset of seizures in a woman with pre-eclampsia. |
| Ectopic pregnancy | A pregnancy emergency when an early pregnancy develops outside of the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancy is not viable and requires urgent medical care. |
| Fetal growth restriction (FGR/IUGR) | Fetal growth restriction is a condition in which an unborn baby (fetus) is smaller than expected for the number of weeks of pregnancy (gestational age). |
| Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) | Procedures involving the partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. |
| Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) | A condition that develops during pregnancy when the woman's blood sugar levels become too high because of inadequate levels of insulin. The condition is treatable and usually disappears after pregnancy. |
| Low-lying placenta (LLP) | When the placenta is close to the cervix (within 2cm) without covering it. |
| Molar pregnancy | A form of abnormal pregnancy, in which the formed placental-like tissue sometimes invades the wall of the uterus (womb). |
| Placenta accreta | A rare condition where the placenta attaches abnormally deeply to the uterine wall. |
| Placenta increta | A rare condition where the placenta grows into the muscle of the uterus. |
| Placenta percreta | A rare condition where the placenta grows through the wall of the uterus and may extend into nearby organs. |
| Placenta previa | The placenta attaches too close to the cervix and partially or completely covers it. |
| Pre-eclampsia | A complication of pregnancy characterised by high blood pressure and damage to another organ/system. |
| Premature birth (prematurity) | When a baby is born before 37 weeks gestation. |
| CMV (Cytomegalovirus) | A very common infection caused by a virus in the herpes family which can be an be passed from pregnant women to their baby. |
| GBS (Group B Streptococcus) | A common bacteria that can sometimes cause life-threatening infection in newborns including the bloodstream (septicaemia), pneumonia and meningitis. |
| Congenital anomaly | Any abnormality of prenatal origin arising from conception or occurring before the end of pregnancy. This includes structural, functional, genetic, chromosomal and biochemical anomalies. |
| Rhesus type (Rh factor) | Your blood group is either Rh-positive or Rh-negative, depending on whether certain molecules are present. A baby's Rh factor may be different to their mother's. |
Pregnancy loss and difficult decisions
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Abortion (termination of pregnancy) | Termination (end) of a pregnancy. This can be achieved either through a surgical procedure or by taking a combination of prescribed medications (medical abortion). |
| Miscarriage | The loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks. |
| Stillbirth | The death of a baby after 20 weeks' gestation but before birth. |
| Termination for medical reasons (TFMR) | When a pregnancy is terminated due to a chromosomal, genetic or structural foetal abnormality, or where continuing the pregnancy would risk the health or life of the mother. |
Immunisation and preventive care
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Anti-D immunoglobulin | An injection offered during pregnancy to people with a Rhesus (RhD) negative blood group. It helps protect this pregnancy and future pregnancies if your baby's blood group is a mismatch to yours (RhD positive). Another dose may be offered after birth if your baby has a positive blood group |
| Immunisation | The administration of a vaccine, often by injection, that makes the body resistant to certain bacteria or viruses. |
| Vaccination | When you receive a vaccine, via an injection or an oral dose, leading to immunisation is when your body builds defences to fight a disease. |
Tests, screening and monitoring
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Amniocentesis | A diagnostic test that takes a small sample of fluid from around a baby to check for certain genetic conditions. It is usually offered when screening tests suggest a higher chance of a genetic condition or when more information is needed. |
| APGAR score | A measure of the physical condition of a newborn infant. It is obtained by adding points (2, 1 or 0) for heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, response to stimulation and skin colouration. A score of 10 represents the best possible condition. |
| Cardiotocography (CTG) | A technique used to monitor the fetal heartbeat and uterine contractions during pregnancy and labour. |
| Cervical screening | A routine medical test that checks for human papillomavirus (HPV), a common infection that can cause changes to cervical cells and lead to cervical cancer. |
| Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) | A test done during pregnancy that is used to diagnose your baby with a genetic or chromosomal condition. |
| Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) | A condition where a baby's hip joint does not develop normally, making the hip unstable or more likely to dislocate. Early detection can improve treatment outcomes |
| Doppler | Fetal dopplers are handheld devices used to detect or monitor the heartbeat of a baby during pregnancy. |
| Genetic carrier screening | Tests that checks for the presence of faulty genes to help you understand if you are likely to pass on an inherited condition to your children. |
| HPV (Human Papillomavirus) | A common virus that spreads through skin-to-skin or sexual contact |
| Morphology scan | An ultrasound scan that is usually done at 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy to check your baby's growth and development. |
| Newborn screening test (NST, heel prick test, blood spot screening test) | A test offered to all newborns in Australia a that screens for rare, but serious, medical conditions. |
| NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) | A blood test that estimates the chance genetic differences in a baby. |
| OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) | A diagnostic test to assess how the body processes glucose. During pregnancy it is commonly used to diagnose gestational diabetes. |
| Ultrasound | An imaging test that alllows pictures of a baby, placenta, uterus, and other structures during pregnancy. Ultrasounds can help monitor the baby's growth, development, position, and wellbeing. |
| Vaginal examination | An internal physical examination where your doctor or midwife gently inserts a speculum or their gloved fingers inside your vagina to check your cervix. It should only happen with your informed and voluntary consent. |
Labour and birth
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Active labour | The phase of labour when the cervix is dilating more rapdily and contractions are becoming regular, strong, longer and closer together. |
| Assisted vaginal birth | Birth of a baby with forceps or vacuum. Also called instrumental birth. |
| Assited (instrumental) birth | When forceps or a ventouse (vacuum cup) are used to help during a vaginal birth. Assisted birth may be recommended if your baby needs to be born quickly or is positioned in a way that makes vaginal birth difficult. |
| Braxton hicks contractions | A tightening of the uterus (womb) that may feel like a labour contraction. Braxton Hicks contractions are not painful and do not get stronger and closer together like true contractions (also called 'false labour'). |
| Caesarean birth (section) | A surgical procedure in which a baby is born through a cut in the abdomen and uterus (also called a 'C-section'). |
| Cervical ripening | During labour your cervix changes from being long and firm to soft, thin and more elastic and starts to open. |
| Contractions | The often strong and painful tightening of the uterus during labour that causes the woman's cervix to dilate and that helps push the baby through the birth canal. |
| Dilation | The opening of the cervix, measured as the diameter of the cervix in centimeters. |
| Early labour | Also called the 'latent phase', your cervix moves forward, shortens and becomes thinner and begins to open. Contractions may be regular or irregular. |
| ECV (External Cephalic Version) | A procedure used to try and turn your baby from a breech position to a head-down position, so you can have a normal vaginal birth. |
| Elective (planned) caesarean | A caesarean birth that is planned in advance rather than it being performed as an emergency situation |
| Episiotomy | A surgical cut made at the opening of the vagina during childbirth to aid a difficult delivery and prevent rupture of tissues (perineal tear). |
| Forceps | Tong-shaped instruments placed around the baby's head to help it travel through the birth canal during childbirth. |
| Induction of labour | Artificial means to start labour. The method of induction will depend on various factors and may include medications, rupture of membranes or mechanical means such as a balloon catheter to start labour. |
| Labour | The process a woman's body goes through when her baby is born. |
| Membrane sweep (stretch and sweep) | A procdure that is done to try and start labour. It involves a vaginal examination where your maternity care provider seperates the membranes around baby from the wall of the uterus. |
| Mucous plug (Show) | A plug of mucuous that sits in your cervix to help keep it closed. |
| Physiological management of 3rd stage of labour | Dallowing the placenta to separate and be born spontaneously after birth, without routine medical intervention. |
| Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) | When a woman loses more than 500 ml of blood after birth. |
| Theatre | An operating room in a hospital or other health facility. |
| Third stage of labour | When the placenta passes through the birth canal, either naturally or with medical help after your baby is born. |
| Vacuum (ventouse) | A suction cap that is sometimes used during birth to help to pull the baby out of the birth canal. |
| Vaginal birth | A birth of a baby through the vagina. |
| VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) | A vaginal birth that occurs after a previous baby was born by caesarean section |
| Water immersion | Using immersion in water (bath/shower) during labour and birth to help with pain relief. |
| Water birth | When baby is born fully submerged into water. This may be offered to women experiencing a low-risk pregnancy, where a birthing pool is available. |
| Blood products | Blood or components of blood, used to replace or supplement blood components that are either deficient or not functioning properly. Includes red blood cells, plasma or platelets. |
| IV (Intravenous) line | A soft, flexible tube placed inside a vein, usually in the hand or arm to give medicine or fluids. |
| Urinary catheter | A thin, flexible tube that drains urine (wee) from the bladder when it is unable to empty fully on its own. This process is known as urinary catheterisation. |
Birth choices, planning and support
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Birth attendant or birth doula | A birth coach or companion who provides emotional, physical and non-medical support to women during pregnancy, labour, birth and early parenting. They are not registered health professionals and are not trained to offer clinical advice or care, nor are they trained to recognise and respond to medical emergencies if complications arise. |
| Birth plan (Values-based care plan) | A document that outlines a womans preferences, values and wishes for labour, birth and early care of their baby. |
| Birth trauma | Physical and/or psychological distress related to experience of interactions and/or events related to childbirth. |
| Freebirth | When a woman makes a conscious decision to give birth without the support of a registered health professional, such as a midwife or doctor registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA). |
| Homebirth | A planned birth that takes place at home supported by a qualified midwife. |
| Informed consent | Involves understanding the benefits, risks and alternatives before agreeing to care. |
| Support person/partner | A birth support partner is someone who stays with you throughout your labour and birth, to help and support you. Having a birth support partner can make your birth experience more positive and reduce your chance of needing pain relief, an assisted birth, or a caesarean. |
| Unassisted/unattended birth or freebirth | Births that occur intentionally without the support of trained health practitioners registered with AHPRA |
Pain relief and anaesthesia
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Epidural | A type of anaesthetic commonly used in labour where drugs are used to numb the lower half of the body. |
| General anaesthetic | Medicine that makes you unconcious so you will not feel pain, move or be aware during surgery |
| Nitrous oxide | A medicine that you inhale (breathe in) using a mouthpiece or mask. It works quickly to help reduce your pain during contractions, and wears off after roughly one minute. |
| Spinal anaesthetic | Medicine injected into the lower back that makes the lower half of your body numb so you will not feel pain during surgery, while remaining awake |
Postnatal recovery and mental health
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Abdominal separation (diastasis of rectus abdominis muscle -DRAM) | When the 2 long, parallel muscles in your abdomen (tummy) separate from each other, common in later stages of pregnancy. |
| Anxiety | A feeling of worry, fear or nervousness that can affect daily life. Anxiety can occur at any time and may be experienced for the first time, or return, during pregnancy and early parenthood. |
| Contraception (birth control) | Methods used to prevent pregnancy including medications, devices, barrier methods and permanent procedures. |
| Depression | A constant feeling of sadness and loss of interest, which stops you doing your normal activities. |
| Family violence | Any violent, threatening, coercive, or controlling behavior that causes a person to feel fear or harm within a family, domestic, or intimate relationship. |
| Perinatal | The period before, during and after birth |
| Perinatal mental health | Emotional and mental wellbeing during pregnancy and the first year after birth. |
| Perineal tear | A tear of the perineum that may include the area of skin between the vagina and the anus, the vaginal mucosa and the muscles of the pelvic floor. Refer also to third-degree tear, fourth‑degree tear |
| Postnatal (postpartum) | A term meaning 'after birth' (alternative terms are 'post-birth' and 'postpartum'). |
| Postnatal care | Care provided to a parent and baby after birth to support recovery, health and wellbeing, infant feeding, and adjustment to life with a new baby |
| Postnatal (postpartum) depression | A condition that affects some mothers in the days, weeks or months after giving birth. |
| Postpartum psychosis | A rare but serious mental illness that can develop soon after you give birth. It can come on very suddenly, within hours of giving birth. It may also happen up to 12 weeks after birth. |
| Readmission | A patient who is admitted to hospital again within a defined period following discharge from a previous admission, either for the same condition or a new related or unrelated health issue. |
Newborn and neonatal care
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Apnoea | A pause in breathing that lasts longer than 15 seconds in a newborn. It may affect your babies colour and heart rate and may require medical intervention or monitoring |
| Bilirubin | A waste product made by the body by when cells are broken down. High billirubin levels caused jaunce in newborns . |
| Bronchiolitis | A viral chest infection that can affect your baby's breathing. Symptoms include runny nose, cough, fever and difficulty breathing. |
| CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) | A treatment that gently applies pressure and air or oxygen through a mask or nasal prongs to help keep airways open and support breathing. Used in the neonatal unit. |
| ICU (Intensive Care Unit) | Part of a hospital that gives care to people who are critically ill. Patients in the ICU have serious health issues that can be life-threatening. |
| Incubator (humdicrib/isolette) | A device that helps to maintain body temperature in premature or sick newborn by circulating heated and humidified air. |
| Jaundice | A condition that causes a yellowish tinge of a baby's skin and eyes. It is caused by an excess of a chemical called bilirubin in the blood and in newborns often resolves itself. |
| Meconium | A tar-like substance passed by a baby as their first poo. Passing meconium before birth may be a sign of fetal distress. |
| Milia | Small and harmless white bumps that commonly appear on a newborn's face. |
| Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) | Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) provide services to newborn babies who need special treatment for critical illnesses straight after birth. |
| Neonatal sepsis | A serious bloodstream infection that can occur in newborn babies (see sepsis). |
| Neonatal unit | A specialised hosital unit that provides cares for newborn babies who are sick, born early, have a low birth weight, or require closer monitoring or treatment. |
| Newborn (neonate) | A baby between birth and 4 weeks old. |
| Phototherapy | Treatment that uses a special blue light to transform the bilirubin in the baby's skin into a less harmful chemical. |
| RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) | RSV is a virus that causes infection in the lungs and airways. It is one of the most common causes of respiratory (breathing) infections in children. |
| Sepsis | A life-threatening complication of an infection. Septic shock is also a life-threatening condition caused by severe localised or system-wide infection that requires immediate medical management. |
| Special Care Nursery (SCN) | A Special Care Nursery (SCN) looks after babies who need extra care. They may be premature babies, or have a low birth weight or need specific care for neonatal health issues. |
| Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) | Infants (under one year of age) who die suddenly and unexpectedly after they are placed for sleeping. |
| Swaddling | A way of wrapping a baby in a lightweight cotton or muslin wrap to help to help your baby settle and sleep on their back during the early months. Always follow safe sleep recommendations. |
Feeding
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Colostrum | The first milk produced during pregnancy and in the first few days after birth. It is rich in nutrients and antibodies that help protect newborn babies for infection. |
| Expressed breast milk (EBM) | Breastmilk that has been expressed and stored in a fridge or freezer for later feeding. |
| Formula feeding | A safe alternative to breast milk for babies up to 12 months old if you can't or choose not to breastfeed. |
| Lactation | The body's process of making milk. |
| Mixed feeding | Using both breastmilk and infant formula to feed a baby. |
Care services and models of care
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Capability level | A classification that describes the type and complexity of care a maternity or newborn service can safelly provide. |
| Private maternity care | Pregnancy, birth and postnatal care provided by a private obstetrician, usually in a private hospital. It can also include care by a private midwife that is usually provided in your home |
| Public maternity care | Pregnancy, birth and postnatal care provided through a public hospital or health service. |
| Referral | A request from a healthcare professional asking another healthcacre provider or specialist to assess, treat, or provide advice about your healthcare needs. |
| Self-referral | When a person accesses a healthcare service directly without first obtaining a referral from a GP or specialist. |
| Telehealth | Using technology to recieve healthcare without needing to atend face-to-face appointments - used interchangeably with virtual care. |
| Virtual care | Healthcare provided remotely using technology, such as telephone calls, video consultations, online messaging or remote monitoring. |
| Women-centred care | Care that is respectful, personalised and based on a woman's individual needs, values, preferences and circumstances. It supports informed decision-making, partnership with healthcare professionals, and respect for her rights, dignity and choices. |
Terminology, culture and inclusive language
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Aboriginal | In this resource, the term Aboriginal is used as an inclusive term for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Victoria. This includes Koori/Koorie, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and First Nations peoples. We recognise the diversity of cultures, identities, languages and communities across Victoria, and respect that individuals may choose to identify using terms such as Koori, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Traditional Owner, or by their specific Nation, Clan or Community. The term Aboriginal is used for consistency and is not intended to exclude or diminish any person's identity, culture or connection to Country |
| Neurodiversity / neurodivergence | Nonmedical terms used to describe people who experience the world differently than others. This may be because they live with a condition such as Autism Spectrum Disorder or Dyslexia. |
| Woman | The My Maternity Journey website, uses the terms woman, women, mother and mothers when referring to sexual and reproductive health, pregnancy, birth and early parenting experiences. We acknowledge and respect that not everyone who is pregnant, gives birth, or becomes a parent identifies as a woman or mother. Individuals and families may use different words to describe themselves, including transgender men, intersex people, non-binary, gender diverse people and Rainbow Mob. My Maternity Journey is intended to be inclusive and supportive of all people navigating sexual and reproductive health, pregnancy, birth and early parenthood, regardless of gender identity, sex characteristics or family structure. |