Decidua

The endometrium or lining of the uterus during pregnancy; it is shed after giving birth

Decidua

vera

Nonplacental decidual lining of the uterus; it has no contact with the fetus

Decidua

basalis

Maternal part of the decidua that unites with the chorion to form the placenta; following birth it is shed in the lochial discharge

Decidua

capsularis

Part of the decidua that surrounds the chorionic sac

Chadwick’s sign

Bluish purple coloration of the vaginal mucous membrane caused by increased vascularity; visible from approximately the fourth week of pregnancy; a probable sign of pregnancy

Goodell sign

Softening of the tip of the cervix; a probable sign of pregnancy

Operculum

Plug of mucus that fills the cervical canal to protect a pregnancy from outside pathogens

Leukorrhea

Whitish-yellow discharge from the cervical canal or the vagina; may be normal physiologically or caused by vaginal/endocervical pathology such as infection. 

Montgomery tubercles (glands)

Small, nodular sebaceous glands on and around the

areolas that provide lubrication for the nipple tissue

Striae gravidarum

“Stretch marks”; reddish lines on the breasts, abdomen, and thighs caused by stretching of the skin during pregnancy

Colostrum

Breast fluid that may be secreted from the second trimester of pregnancy onward; most evident in the first 2 to 3 days after birth and before the onset of true

lactation

Linea nigra

Line of darker pigmentation seen in some women during the latter part of pregnancy; appears on the middle of the abdomen, extending from the umbilicus to the

mons pubis

Chloasma

Increased pigmentation over the cheeks, hairline, brow, and nose of the pregnant woman and in some women taking oral contraceptives; also called the “mask of

pregnancy” or “melasma gravidarum”

Angioma

Tiny, bluish end-arterioles occurring on the neck, thorax, face, and arms; often appear during the second to fifth month of pregnancy and disappear after birth

Palmar erythema

Rash occurring on the surface of the palms; sometimes seen during pregnancy

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Pressure on the median nerve at the location where it goes through the carpal tunnel of the wrist; produces soreness, tenderness, and weakness of the

muscles of the thumb

Supine hypotension syndrome (vena caval syndrome)

Fall in blood pressure caused by decreased venous return when the gravid uterus presses on the ascending vena cava when the woman is lying flat on her back

Mean arterial pressure (MAP)

Average of the systolic and the diastolic blood pressures

Gingivitis

Inflammation of the gums, characterized by redness, swelling, and a tendency to bleed

Epulis gravidarum

Benign, red, raised nodules of the gingiva seen in pregnant women

Ptyalism

Excessive production of saliva

Pyrosis

Also known as heartburn; burning sensation in the epigastric and sternal region due to stomach acid

Pruitis gravidarum

Severe itching during pregnancy

Prolactin

Hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that triggers milk production

Let down reflex

Also termed “milk ejection reflex”; release of milk from the breast, caused by the contraction of the myoepithelial cells within the milk glands in response to

oxytocin

Diastasis recti abdominis

Separation of the two rectus muscles along the median line of the abdominal wall

Couvade

The observance of certain rituals and taboos by the male to signify his transition to fatherhood

Naegele’s rule

Method for calculating the estimated date of birth (EDB)

Take the first day of the last Menstrual cycle, subtract 3 months, and add 7 months and 1 year

Measure uterine fundal height in centimeters from the symphysis pubis to the top of the uterine fundus.

The gestational age is estimated to be equal to the fundal height.

Number of pregnancies carried to the point of viability, regardless of whether the infant or infants were alive or stillborn

"Growth"

Brest tissue enlargement

Uterus Expanding

Enhances uterine contractility

"Maintenance" "Propregnancy hormone"

Relaxation effect on the smooth muscle

Vasodilation

Increased blood flow to all body tissues

Slows the GI tract to ensure absorption of essential nutrients for fetal development

Relaxes the uterine muscle to prevent the onset of labor until term