Obstetrics

Definition of Obstetrics

Branch of medicine dealing with the pregnant woman during pregnancy, child birth and period following birth

Word Parts

Word root

Combining form

Meaning

Obstetric Obstetr/ic midwife

Semen

Mixture of sperm & secretions in seminal vesicles

Insemination – deposit of semen in the female reproductive tract

Artificial Insemination

Semen is inserted into uterus via a cannula instead of coitus

AI (AIH) by husband

AI (AID) by donor

Word parts

Word root

Combining form

Meaning

Semin semin/ i liquid secretion of the testicles and glands

Sperm sperm/o, spermat/o, sprem/i

sperm cells or spermatozoa, ejaculated from the male Act 1

Fertilisation

Is the union of sperm and ovum

Fertilised ovum is called zygote

Zygote travels down fallopian tube to endometrium where it implants itself

Foetus development

Embryo – developing human during first 2 months - embryonic membranes form which protect & nourish the embryo

Foetus – developing human after the second month - amniotic membrane forms surrounds foetus and is filled with amniotic fluid - amniotic fluid is a shock absorber for the foetus

Placenta

Develops between the embryo and endometrium

Exchanges nutrients and waste between mother and foetus

Also secretes hormones to maintain pregnancy

Word parts

Word root

Combining form

Meaning

Foet Foet/o an unborn baby

Placent Placent/o flat cake

Terms related to placenta

Adherent placenta – placenta is fused to uterine wall

Retained placenta – placenta is not expelled

Placenta praevia – placenta forms abnormally in lower part of uterus over the internal opening of the cervix Act 3

Umbilical cord

Connects foetus to placenta

Transports blood and nutrients to the foetus

Gestation

Period of time embryo and foetus is carried in uterus

Usually 280 days

Word parts

Word root

Combining form

Meaning

Gravida -gravida relates to pregnancies

Para -para number of previous pregnancies resulting in a live infant

Toc toc/o, -tocia birth, labour

Nat nat/o birth

Antenatal

Period from conception to birth

3 trimesters – 3 months each

Labour and Delivery

Parturition refers to birth

Labour is period preceding birth

Uterine contractions are called eutocia

Syntoconon is a drug to induce uterine contractions

Stages of labour

1. Dilation – onset of labour to full dilation of 10 cm

2. Expulsion – full dilation to delivery

3. Placental – delivery of placenta and occurs a

few minutes after birth

Foetus during labour

Lies in a lateral position in uterus

Engagement – when head moves down into cervix

Presentation – part of foetus that is touched by examining finger through the cervix

Puerperium

Period 6 – 8 weeks following birth

Reproductive system reverts to pre pregnant state

Definitions Post partum haemorrhage – excessive bleeding from

birth canal

Eclampsia – sudden convulsion due to toxaemia of pregnancy

Stillbirth – foetus is born dead

Congenital – present at time of birth

Caesarian section – delivery by surgical excision into abdominal wall

Forceps – surgical instruments used to help delivery Act 4

Mammary Glands

Function is milk secretion i.e. lactation

Ducts convey milk from lobes to the exterior

The circular pigmented area surrounding the nipple is known as the areola

Word parts

Word root

Combining form

Meaning

Mast mast/o breast

Mamm mamm/o breast

Lact lact/o, lact/i milk

Galact galact/o milk

Abbreviations

ARM Artificial Rupture of Membranes

CTG cardiotocograph

DOB date of birth

EDC/D estimated date of confinement / delivery

EDD estimated date of delivery

EP ectopic pregnancy

FDIU foetal distress in utero

FECG foetal electrocardiograph

Abbreviations

FHR foetal heart rate

HDN haemolytic disease of the newborn

IUD intrauterine device

LSCS lower section caesarian section

NB newborn

PET pre- eclamptic toxaemia

PPH postpartum haemorrhage

PROM premature rupture of membranes

PV per vagina

AbbreviationsApgar score method of assessing general state of baby at

birth.Appearance (colour); Pulse(heart rate); Grimace( response to slap); Respiration (breathing)

epesi/o pubic region,vulvo

gravida a pregnant woman

multigravida at least 2 pregnancies

multipara given birth to 2 or more children

nulligravida having never been pregnant

para to bear

primigravida first pregnancy

primipara first delivery

Miscarriage

Expulsion of products of conception before 20 weeks

Conditions and Termscervical incompetence abnormal weakness of the cervix; can

lead to recurrent miscarriages

ectopic pregnancy pregnancy outside of uterus usually in fallopian tubes

placenta praevia placenta situated near the cervix

pre - eclampsia condition in which hypertension, oedema, and proteinuria developing during 2nd half of pregnancy