Antenatally

Refers to the pregnancy, the period before the birth.

Birth / Labour / Childbirth

A term used to describe the process and period of time that a baby leaves the body and is then born.

Birth Canal / Pelvic Canal / Vagina

The passageway in which the baby leaves the uterus and travels out of the body during birth. This is the same passage the penis enters to make the baby also.

Birth Notes / Maternity Notes

These are the records kept throughout pregnancy and delivery (birth) by everyone medically involved in the care of Mother and baby.

Birth Trauma / Traumatic Birth

Severe distress or a highly emotional response to the birthing experience. Can be felt by the Mother and also by the birthing partner. This is usually a response to experiencing a highly emotional and unexpectedly traumatic labour and birth. This can lead to a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in reaction to what was experienced.

Bonding

The process that happens between Mother and baby (and caregivers too), where they form a deep emotional connection.

Breast Pump

A machine used to remove the milk from a Mother’s breast. This can be achieved by a manual or electric pump.

Breast Pumping / Expressing

A way to take milk out of your breasts. This is usually to store for later use. It can be manual by hand or automatically with an electric breast pump.

Breastfeeding Consultant / Lactation Consultant

People specifically and expertly trained to help new Mothers to navigate the challenges of breast feeding. They offer practical support and advice as well as emotional support.

Breastfeeding Counsellors

Are trained breastfeeding counsellors able to offer practical and emotional support to breastfeeding Mothers.

Caesarean Birth / Caesarean Section / C-Section

An operation performed on the Mother to remove the baby from the womb (uterus) by surgically cutting it open

Chemical Pregnancy

A pregnancy that ends in miscarriage before the 5-week mark. These can sometimes only be detected through pregnancy testing.

Combination Feeding / Combi-feeding

This term is used when a mix of breast milk and bottle feeding is used to feed a newborn. This can be a mix of breast milk and formula or of breast milk from the breast and the bottle.

Cord (Umbilical)

This runs between the baby and Mother (via the placenta) and delivers the oxygen and nutrients baby needs to thrive in the womb before birth.

Delivery Room / Delivery Suite

The room in a hospital where a Mum-to-Be is taken to give birth to her baby.

Diastasis recti (or divarication)

When the muscles either side of the abdomen fails to retract back to its original size after giving birth. This can lead to the stomach still bulging even with weight loss.

Doula / Birth Doula

A trained support that works with the Mum-to-Be prior to labour and supports her non-medically during labour to ensure she is comfortable and that her wishes are being respected if she is unable to speak for herself during the labour process.

Epidural

A form of pain relief (local anaesthetic) administered during labour to the Mother via an injection in her back (near the base of her spine).

Episiotomy

An incision (cut) made in the area between the anus and vagina to allow the baby to leave the birth canal with more ease.

Exclusive Breastfeeding

When baby is only fed via the breast with no bottles involved.

Expectant management (miscarriage)

Is when you decide to let your miscarried pregnancy pass naturally without any medical intervention. This option is not available past 13 weeks of gestation.

Fissure (Anal)

Anal fissues are small tears inside the anus from straining from constipation and/or childbirth.

Foetus

The unborn baby in a Mother’s womb.

Fourth Trimester

The first 3 months after delivering baby.

General Anaesthesia / General Anaethetic

A form of pain relief which puts the patient to sleep during any operation.

Health Visitor

A type of qualified nurse that specialises in working with families with children up to 5 years old. They can be accessed through specialist clinics and also at post-birth home checks.

Hypnobirthing

A series of practical techniques taught to Mums-to-Be by Hypnobirthing Instructors to help them cope with the pain and fears of childbirth.

Insufficient Glandular Tissue (IGT)

Is where the milk making glands (tissue) inside the breasts have not developed as expected to be able to breastfeed.

Interventions

This can refer to any “medical” assistance given to Mother and baby to support birth. For example: an episiotomy, ventouse delivery or caesarean section are all interventions (to name but a few) used to assist birth.

Latch

Denotes to how a baby’s mouth attaches to the Mother’s nipple for the purpose of feeding. Whether it is classed as “good” or “bad” can depend on a number of factors, for example: baby having a tongue tie.

Local Anaesthesia / Regional Anaesthesia / Local Anaesthetic

A type of pain relief to numb a certain part of the body only.

Low Risk (Birth)

When a Mother and baby are deemed generally fit and the antenatal team cannot forsee any expected issue or complications during the delivery of baby.

Me Time

A thing of the past for most Mums. A distant memory of going to the toilet by yourself!

Pelvic Floor

The internal muscles at the base of the pelvis which help to support (control) the bladder, bowel, uterus (womb) and vagina.

Perineum / Perineal

The area of skin between the vaginal opening and the anus.

Placenta

An organ grown inside the womb during pregnancy with the sole purpose of providing nourishment and oxygen to maintain foetal health during pregnancy.

Poor Latch

This refers to the ability of the newborn to be able to correctly suckle from their Mother’s nipple for the purpose of feeding. This can be due to a number of factors.

Post-Natal / Postpartum

This is the period you enter immediately after giving birth as you are no longer ‘pre-natal’.

Suckle

The act of drinking milk from a breast (nipple) or teat.

Theatre / Operating Theatre

The room where Caesarean Sections are performed. Unlike the delivery room, it is kitted out with all the sterile equipment needed to perform surgery.

Trimester

Three month blocks of pregnancy. Often referred to as the “First Trimester” – 0-3 months / “Second Trimester” – 3-6 months and the “Third Trimester” the final 3-6 months of pregnancy.

Uterus / Womb

The organ inside a woman’s body where the baby (foetus) grows until birth.

Vaginal Opening

The opening of the vagina. The external part of the vaginal hole.

Ventouse Delivery

A procedure used to get the baby out of the Mother’s birth canal (vagina) involving a cup placed upon the baby’s head and suction used to assist the baby to be born by (gently) pulling them out.

Water Birth

When a pregnant woman gives birth in water. Usually referring to a specially made and designated birthing pool in hospitals, but is also an option for home births under the right conditions.