Postpartum Perineal Care Glossary of Terms

1. Stages of Pregnancy Slideshow Pictures
2. Slideshow of Early Pregnancy Symptoms
3. Early Pregnancy Symptoms Quiz

Abdomen: The belly, that part of the body that contains all of the structures between the...

Abdominal: Relating to the abdomen, the belly, that part of the body that contains all of ...

Abnormal: Outside the expected norm, or uncharacteristic of a particular patient.

Acetaminophen: A nonaspirin pain reliever or analgesic. Acetaminophen may be given alone t...

Alternative medicine: Healing arts not taught in traditional Western medical schools that ...

Anus: The opening of the rectum to the outside of the body.

Bladder: A hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine. The kidneys filter waste f...

Bowel: The small and large intestine.

Breastfeeding: Feeding a child human breast milk. According to the American Academy of Ped...

Catheter: A thin, flexible tube.

Conception: 1. The union of the sperm and the ovum. Synonymous with fertilization.
...

Constipation: Infrequent and frequently incomplete bowel movements. Constipation is the op...

Discharge: 1.The flow of fluid from part of the body, such as from the nose or vag...

Drain: A device for removing fluid from a cavity or wound. A drain is typically a tube or ...

Episiotomy: A surgical procedure for widening the outlet of the birth canal to facilitate ...

Fever: Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degr...

Fistula: An abnormal passageway in the body. The fistula may go from the body surface int...

Genetics: The scientific study of heredity. Genetics pertains to humans and all other orga...

Gynecology: The branch of medicine that is particularly concerned with the health of the f...

Hematoma: A localized swelling that is filled with blood caused by a break in the wall of ...

Hemorrhoids: Dilated (enlarged) veins in the walls of the anus and sometimes around the re...

Herpes: A family of viruses. Herpes also refers to infection with one of the human herpesv...

Ibuprofen: A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is commonly used to treat pa...

Infection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an...

Injury: Harm or hurt. To harm, hurt, or wound. The word injure may be in physical or emot...

Kegel exercises: Exercises designed to increase muscle strength and elasticity in the fema...

Labor: Childbirth, the process of delivering a baby and the placenta, membranes, and umbil...

Laboratory: A place for doing tests and research procedures, and for preparing chemicals a...

Lochia: The fluid that is discharged from the vagina for a week or so after childbirth. At...

Lubricant: An oily or slippery substance. A vaginal lubricant may be helpful for women who...

Mucus: A thick fluid that is produced by the lining of some organs of the body.

Nausea: Stomach queasiness, the urge to vomit. Nausea can be brought on by many causes, in...

Nurse-midwifery: The practice engaged in by a nurse-midwife in the management of women's h...

Nursing: 1) Profession concerned with the provision of services essential to the maintena...

Obstetrics: The art and science of managing pregnancy, labor, and the puerperium (the time...

Pain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa...

Pelvic: Having to do with the pelvis, the lower part of the abdomen, located between the h...

Pelvic pain: : Pain perceived in the area of the pelvis, the lower part of the abdomen loc...

Pelvis: The lower part of the abdomen, located between the hip bones. Structures in the fe...

Perineal: Pertaining to the perineum.

Perineum: The area between the anus and the scrotum in the male and between the anus and t...

Pharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup...

Postpartum: The period just after delivery, as with postpartum depression. Postpartum refe...

Pregnancy: The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body. Thi...

Randomized: The use of chance alone to assign the participants in an experiment or trial t...

Sensation: In medicine and physiology, sensation refers to the registration of an incoming...

Steroid: One of a large group of chemical substances classified by a specific carbon struc...

Stool: The solid matter that is discharged in a bowel movement.

Stress: In a medical or biological context stress is a physical, mental, or emotional fact...

Tear: A drop of the salty secretion of the lacrimal glands which serves to moisten the con...

Trauma: A physical or emotional injury.

Tylenol: See: Acetaminophen.

Urethra: The tube that leads from the bladder and transports and discharges urine outside ...

Urine: Liquid waste produced by the kidneys. Urine is a clear, transparent fluid that norm...

Vagina: The muscular canal that extends from the cervix to the outside of the body. It is ...

Vaginal opening: The exterior opening to the vagina, the muscular canal that extends from ...