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  • Pregnancy Terms
  • Sample Reports - Obstetrics / Gynecology

• Pregnancy Terms

- P -

• Pelvic Floor

Describes the area of the vulva, perineum, and anus. The pelvic floor muscles are the muscles a woman tries to loosen while giving birth.



• Perineum

The muscle and tissue between the vagina and the rectum.



• Phenergan

A drug used as a sedative and also to control nausea and vomiting.



• PIH

Pregnancy Induced Hypertension. See Eclampsia and Pre-eclampsia.



• Pitocin

Synthetic oxytocin (a hormone that stimulates contractions, among other things) given through intravenous drip (IV) to stimulate labor.



• Placenta

This is the tissue which connects the mother and fetus that transports nourishment and takes away waste.



• Placenta Previa

This condition is usually discovered in late pregnancy. The placenta lies very low in the uterus, so that the opening of the uterus is partially or completely covered.



• Post Term

When pregnancy lasts beyond 42 weeks.



• Posterior

Describing the baby's face-up position during delivery. Normal presentation is anterior (face down). Posterior deliveries generally cause back labor (back pain).



• Postpartum

The period of time after a baby's birth.



• Pre-eclampsia

The precursor to eclampsia, this a condition involving high blood pressure, swelling due to fluid retention, and abnormal kidney function.



• Preterm

Babies born earlier than 37 weeks.



• PROM

Acronym stands for premature rupture of membranes and means a woman's water has broken early.



• Prostaglandin Cream or Gel

Medication used to ripen the cervix before induction.



• Pubic Symphysis

The joint between the pubic bones at the front of the pelvis.



• PUBS

Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling: Similar to amniocentesis. A needle is inserted into the mother's abdominal wall and through the uterus, but is also inserted into the umbilical cord at the base of the placenta. Blood is drawn for diagnostic purposes.



• Pudendal Block

A term used to describe a procedure that gives regional pain relief in the perineum area during birth. Also used when repairing an episiotomy.