Afterpains

Cramping pain after childbirth, caused by alternating relaxation and contraction of uterine muscles.

Atony

Absence or lack of usual muscle tone.

Attachment

Development of strong affectional ties as a result of interaction between an infant and a significant other.

Bonding

Development of strong emotional tie of a parent to a newborn.  Also called claiming or binding in.

Catabolism

A process that converts living cells into simpler compounds.  Involved in involution (normal changes) of the uterus after childbirth.

Decidua

The endometrium during pregnancy.  All except the deepest layer is shed after childbirth.

Diastasis Recti

Separation of the longitudinal muscles of the abdomen (rectus abdominis) during pregnancy.

Dyspareunia

Difficult or painful coitus in women.

en face

Position that allows eye-to-eye contact between the newborn and a parent.

Engorgement

Swelling of the breasts resulting from increased blood flow, edema, and the presence of milk.

Engrossment

Intense fascination and close

face-to-face observation between father and newborn.

Entrainment

Newborn movement in rhythm with adult speech, particularly high-pitched tones, which are more easily heard.

Episiotomy

Surgical incision of the perineum to enlarge the vaginal opening.

Fingertipping

First tactile (touch) experience between mother and newborn.  The mother explores the infant's body with her fingertips only.

Fourth Trimester

First 12 weeks after birth, a time of transition for parents and siblings.

Fundus

 Part of the uterus that is farthest from the cervix, above the openings of the fallopian tubes.

Involution 

Retrogressive changes that return the reproductive organs, particularly the uterus, to their nonpregnant size and condition.

Kegel exercises

Alternate contracting and

relaxing of the pelvic floor

muscles to strengthen them.

Lactation

Secretion of milk from the

breasts.  Also describes the

period of time of breastfeeding.

Letting-go

A phase of maternal adaptation that involves relinquishing previous roles and assuming a new role as a parent.

Lochia alba

White, cream-colored, or light

yellow vaginal discharge that

follows lochia serosa.

Lochia rubra

Red vaginal discharge that occurs immediately after childbirth;

composed mostly of blood.

Lochia serosa

Pink or brown-tinged vaginal

discharge that follows lochia

rubra; composed largely of serous exudate, blood, and leukocytes.

Milk-ejection Reflex

Release of milk from the alveoli

into the ducts.  Also called the

letdown reflex.

Oxytocin

Posterior pituitary hormone that stimulates uterine contractions

and the mild-ejection reflex.  Also prepared synthetically.