What follows is a glossary of terms commonly used in cerebral palsy and birth injury cases and in pregnancy and maternal injury cases:
- acceleration - a temporary increase in the fetal heart rate usually defined as involving an increase in fetal heart rate of at least 15 bpm for at least 15 seconds. This is consistent with a healthy fetus
- amniocentesis - a diagnostic test for chromosome abnormality performed from 15 weeks gestation onwards by extracting a sample of amniotic fluid
- baseline variability - (also known as beat to beat variability) the variability in the baseline rate of the fetal heart over the course of a minute. Normal baseline variability is around 10 beats per minute
- baseline rate - the fetal heart rate (FHR) excluding accelerations and decelerations
- bradycardia - a heart rate slower than normal. A normal fetal heart rate is 120-160 beats per minute
- caesarean section - delivery of the baby surgically through an incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus
- cardiotocograph - (also known as CTG) a machine used to record strength of maternal contractions and the baby's heart rate, usually towards the end of pregnancy or during labour
- cerebral palsy - a group of non progressive, non contagious conditions which cause physical disability
- chronic villus sampling (CVS) - a genetic test for serious fetal abnormalities performed from 10 weeks gestation by removing a sample of the placenta
- contraction - contracting or tightening of the uterus during labour
- deceleration - a temporary decrease in the fetal heart rate. There are various different types of deceleration - early decelerations, late decelerations and variable decelerations. These differ in timing in relation to the peak of the maternal contraction. Late decelerations (where the lowest heart rate is reached after the peak of the contraction) are associated with a lack of oxygen reaching the fetus and are therefore a potentially worrying sign
- episiotomy - a surgical cut to the perineum, performed to ease the delivery of the baby's head or bottom during delivery
- fetal acidosis - increased acidity in the baby's blood. A blood sample with a high level of fetal acidosis is highly diagnostic of fetal distress
- fetal blood sample - a blood sample taken from the head of the baby before delivery. This is usually done to assess fetal wellbeing and particularly to check for the presence of fetal acidosis
- fetal distress - a sign that a fetus is not well. These can include decreased movements, meconium, high or low heart rate and fetal acidosis
- forceps - instruments similar to large tongs used to assist in delivering the baby vaginally. These are often used to achieve quicker delivery when the doctors are concerned about the baby's heart rate or mother is too tired to push effectively
- haemorrhage - bleeding
- hydrocephalus - a build up of fluid on the brain, which can in turn cause an increase in pressure and lead to brain injury
- hyperbilirubinemia - a condition involving excessive levels of bilirubin in the blood which develops due to the inadequate treatment of jaundice
- hypertension - high blood pressure
- hypoglycaemia - low blood sugar
- hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy - (also known as HIE) injury to cells in the central nervous system (the brain or spinal cord) caused by lack of oxygen. It often becomes apparent over the first 48 hours of a baby's life. It is often caused by asphyxia around the time of delivery
- jaundice - a yellowing of skin and whites of the eyes caused by excessive levels of bilirubin
- kernicterus - brain injury caused by untreated jaundice
- meconium - the early stools of an infant. Although characteristic of normal labour, it can also be an indication of fetal distress
- miscarriage - the unintended death of a fetus of under 24 weeks gestation
- neural tube defect - a malformation of the spinal column or brain. The most common defects are spina bifida and anencephaly
- nuchal translucency (NT) scan - an anatomical scan which provides information about the risk of Down's syndrome
- obstetric cholestasis - a liver condition occurring during pregnancy causing a build up in bile levels in the blood stream. A common symptom is itching, particularly in the hands and feet. It can be dangerous to the unborn baby and delivery is usually indicated between 36-37 weeks gestation if it occurs late in pregnancy
- perineum - the area of skin and muscle between the anus and the vulva
- pre eclampsia - a complication of pregnancy involving high blood pressure and protein in urine. This causes the risk of serious complications for mother and baby. The usual treatment is delivery of the baby as soon as possible
- rhesus incompatibility - also known as haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN), Rhesus disease or blue baby syndrome. This occurs when there is a mismatch of blood types between mother and unborn baby which leads to the mother producing antibodies which can then pass back to the baby and cause serious injury or death. It is rarely a problem during a first pregnancy and the risk can be reduced by anti - D injection after delivery to prevent the mother becoming sensitised and producing antibodies in the next pregnancy
- rubella - a viral condition also known as German measles. If a pregnant woman catches rubella it can be dangerous to her unborn child
- spasticity - a condition of the central nervous system in which muscles tighten and relax repeatedly often leading to involuntary movements. It is often present in individuals with brain injury sustained during labour and delivery
- stillbirth - the death and subsequent delivery of a fetus of over 24 weeks gestation
- tachycardia - a heart rate faster than normal. A normal fetal heart rate is 120-160 beats per minute
- VBAC - vaginal birth after caesarean section ie where a mother has had a previous caesarean but subsequently aims for vaginal delivery for a subsequent child
- ventouse - a vacuum device which is attached to the baby's head to help in the delivery. Also known as vacuum extraction. The ventouse is used to achieve quicker delivery when doctors are concerned about the baby's heart rate or mother is too tired to push effectively.
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