Your Guide to OB-GYN Terminology
The ending of a pregnancy by the expulsion of an embryo or foetus from the uterus before birth. It may also happen spontaneously (miscarriage).
A medical term used to describe a woman who is 35 years or older at the time of her expected delivery (geriatric pregnancy).
The absence of menstruation in a woman of childbearing age (between puberty and menopause).
A prenatal test used to diagnose certain genetic conditions and health problems in a developing foetus.
A condition where a pregnant woman has a lower than normal red blood cell count, either due to iron deficiency, heavy menstrual periods/bleeding, or
medical conditions like folate or vitamin B12 deficiency.
The medical care a woman receives during pregnancy to monitor the health of both herself and the developing baby.
A quick and simple assessment used to evaluate the physical condition of a newborn infant shortly after birth. It provides a snapshot of the
baby’s well-being in the first minutes of life.
A group of medical procedures used to help people conceive and have a child. It’s used in cases where a couple is
experiencing infertility or has a known genetic risk they want to avoid passing on.
A feeling of sadness, mood swings, irritability, and anxiety that some women experience shortly after giving birth.
A common vaginal condition that occurs due to an imbalance in the natural vaginal flora.
Any birth control method that uses a physical barrier to block sperm from reaching and fertilising an egg.
Synthetic hormones designed to be chemically identical to the hormones naturally produced by the human body.
A prenatal test that combines a non-stress test (NST) with an ultrasound exam to assess the condition of a developing foetus in the
later stages of pregnancy.
The discharge of blood-tinged mucus from the vagina that can occur shortly before labour begins.
Painless or mildly uncomfortable tightenings of the uterine muscles occurring intermittently throughout pregnancy.
A position of the baby in the uterus where the baby’s bottom (buttocks or feet) is down.
A surgical procedure used to deliver a baby through incisions made in the mother’s abdomen and uterus.
A small, thimble-shaped silicone cap that fits snugly over the cervix used as a barrier method of contraception.
A precancerous condition where there are abnormal changes in the cells lining the cervix.
A type of fertility awareness-based method (FABM) used to identify fertile and infertile days in a menstrual cycle by observing changes
in the cervical mucus.
The lower, narrow end of the uterus that acts like a gateway between the vagina and the uterus.
A prenatal diagnostic test used to check for chromosomal abnormalities and other genetic conditions in a developing foetus.
The first milky fluid produced by the mammary glands after giving birth. It’s a thick, yellowish liquid rich in nutrients and antibodies, which
serves as the ideal first food for a newborn.
A traditional postpartum practice where a new mother observes a period of rest and recuperation after giving birth, lasting anywhere from a
few weeks to several months.
The practice of preventing pregnancy.
The process of collecting, processing, and storing stem cells from the umbilical cord and placenta after childbirth.
A chronic, inherited genetic disease that affects many organs, particularly the lungs and digestive system. It’s caused by a mutation in the
CFTR gene.
A surgical procedure to remove tissue from your uterus in instances of abnormal uterine bleeding, miscarriage, endometrial
biopsy, or removal of retained placenta.
The medical term for painful periods or menstrual cramps.
The medical term for painful or difficult sexual intercourse. The pain can occur before, during, or after sex.
A serious pregnancy complication characterised by convulsion or coma that usually occurs late in pregnancy (after the 20th week) or within 48 hours
of childbirth.
A pregnancy that develops outside the uterus (the normal location for a fertilised egg to implant or grow), usually in the fallopian tubes.
A chronic, often painful, disorder where tissue similar to the endometrium grows outside the uterus.
The mucous membrane lining the inside of the uterus (womb).
A type of regional anaesthesia used to manage pain, especially during labour and delivery.
A surgical incision made in the perineum (the area between the vagina and anus) to facilitate delivery of the baby.
A pair of narrow, muscular tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus in the female reproductive system.
The practice of intentionally determining the number and spacing of one’s children using birth control and other known methods.
A form of natural family planning that involves tracking a woman’s menstrual cycle to identify her fertile window.
An umbrella term used to describe a range of physical, mental, behavioural, and learning impairments that can occur in a
person whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy.
A method to keep track of a baby’s heart rate and rhythm during pregnancy and labour.
A hormone produced by the pituitary gland (a small gland located at the base of the brain) that plays a vital role in
reproductive function in both males and females.
A new medical term that encompasses various symptoms and changes associated with decreased oestrogen levels during
and after menopause.
The period describing how long a woman is pregnant.
A type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth.
A type of high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy, specifically after the 20th week of gestation.
A non-invasive prenatal test that uses a sample of the pregnant woman’s blood to assess the baby’s chromosomes for potential abnormalities.
A blood test that checks for signs of past or current infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
A medical treatment that involves taking medications to replace the hormones that decline significantly during menopause.
A common symptom of menopause (and sometimes perimenopause). It is a sudden, intense feeling of heat, often in the face, neck, and chest.
A group of over 200 related viruses with varying levels of risk. They are the most common sexually transmitted infections.
Vaccines that protect against infection with various types of human papillomavirus.
A surgical procedure that involves the removal of the uterus. Sometimes the cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes may also be removed.
A type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) that helps people with infertility or certain genetic conditions achieve
pregnancy.
A small, T-shaped device inserted into the uterus by a healthcare provider to provide long-acting, reversible contraception.
A fertility treatment that involves placing sperm directly into a woman’s uterus to increase the chances of fertilisation.
A condition causing a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. It occurs due to an excess buildup of a substance called bilirubin in the
blood.
Simple exercises designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which are the muscles that support the bladder, uterus, rectum, and small
intestine.
The process of artificially stimulating labour contractions to start childbirth, rather than waiting for labour to begin naturally.
The process of producing and secreting breast milk from the mammary glands to nourish an infant.
A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that plays a key role in the reproductive system.
A low-dose X-ray examination specifically designed to image breast tissue to detect breast cancer and other abnormalities.
Inflammation of the breast tissue, often accompanied by infection.
A program that allows expecting parents to utilise their MediSave savings to cover childbirth-related expenses.
The first menstrual period in a female’s life, marking the onset of menstruation and puberty.
The permanent end of menstruation and a woman’s reproductive years.
Abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
The loss of a pregnancy before viability, typically defined as before 20 weeks of gestation.
Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester.
A blood test performed during pregnancy to screen for chromosomal abnormalities in the foetus.
A painless prenatal test assessing foetal well-being by monitoring the baby’s heart rate and its response to movement.
Any of a group of steroid hormones that primarily regulate the growth, development, and function of the female reproductive system.
A fluid-filled or semi-solid sac that develops on or inside one of the ovaries. These are quite common, especially during a woman’s reproductive
years.
A pair of female reproductive organs that have two main functions: egg production and hormone production.
The release of a mature egg cell (ovum) from an ovary. It typically occurs once a month during a woman’s reproductive years, around the middle of
the menstrual cycle.
A screening procedure used to detect cervical cancer or precancerous cells in the cervix.
A hammock-shaped layer of muscles and connective tissues that stretches across the bottom of the pelvis. It is crucial in supporting the pelvic
organs and functions.
An infection of the female reproductive organs, most commonly the fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, and cervix.
The period leading up to menopause that marks the transition from regular menstrual cycles to their eventual cessation.
A temporary organ that develops in your uterus during pregnancy. It acts as a lifeline for your growing baby.
An abnormal implantation of the placenta in the lower segment of the uterus, partially or completely covering the internal cervical opening.
A hormonal imbalance disorder affecting women of reproductive age, characterised by irregular periods, excess androgen, and
polycystic ovaries.
Vaginal bleeding that occurs after a woman has gone through menopause. It may be a sign of a serious disorder.
A mood disorder that can affect women after childbirth. It’s more serious and long-lasting than the “baby blues.”
Excessive bleeding from the uterus after a woman gives birth. It is a serious, potentially life-threatening, but rare complication.
A serious pregnancy complication characterised by high blood pressure and signs of damage to other organ systems, usually affecting the kidneys (
too much protein in your urine).
A series of tests and consultations designed to assess the overall health and well-being of a couple planning to get married.
A condition characterised by the ovaries stopping their function abnormally early (before the age of 40).
Specifically formulated multivitamin and mineral supplements recommended for women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Uterine contractions that begin before 37 weeks of pregnancy and signal the body’s attempt to deliver the baby prematurely.
A naturally occurring steroid hormone produced mainly in the ovaries and the placenta during pregnancy, essential to the menstrual cycle,
pregnancy, and foetal development.
A medical term referring to the falling down or slipping of an organ or body part from its usual position. It most commonly refers to pelvic organ
prolapse but can happen to other body parts as well.
The period of physical development during which a child’s body matures from a pre-adolescent state to one capable of sexual reproduction.
Infections that are spread from person to person through sexual contact. This can include vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
A fungal infection of the mouth that usually affects infants and young children but can also occur in adults with weakened immune systems.
A surgical procedure that permanently blocks the fallopian tubes, effectively preventing pregnancy. It’s a form of sterilisation for women.
Non-cancerous growths that develop in the wall of the uterus and are the most common benign tumours of the female reproductive system.
A pear-shaped muscular organ in the female reproductive system located in the lower abdomen between the bladder and rectum. It plays a central role in
menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth.
A vaginal delivery following a previous birth by caesarian section. It allows a woman who has had a C-section to deliver
her baby vaginally in a subsequent pregnancy.
A fluid produced by glands in the cervix and vaginal walls that drains from the opening of the vagina. It’s a normal and healthy part of the
female reproductive system.
A decrease in the natural lubrication of the vagina. It may be due to hormonal changes, medications, medical conditions, or lifestyle factors.
Involuntary muscle spasms of the vaginal wall, making penetration (sexual intercourse, insertion of tampons, or medical examination) difficult or
impossible.
The external genitalia of the female reproductive system.
An infection caused by an overgrowth of fungus in a moist area of the body, like the vagina and the vulva.
A mosquito-borne flavivirus that can cause Zika fever. It’s also associated with serious birth defects in babies born to mothers infected during
pregnancy.