The A to V of pregnancy and birth: A glossary for expectant parents
If you’re new to the parenting thing and are expecting your first baby, you already know that it can be a super-steep learning curve. All kinds of new experiences lie ahead, and even more new terminology you’ve never heard before.
With that in mind we’ve rustled up a bunch of often used words surrounding birth and delivery so you can bone up ahead of all those antenatal appointments! Speaking of which …
C is for ...
Cephalic (or C, Ceph)
This means the baby is positioned in the uterus with his head down.
Caesarean or c-section
A surgical procedure carried out to deliver the baby via the abdomen, rather than through the birth canal/vagina.
Cervix
The cervix is the lower part of the uterus which connects the uterus to the vagina. The cervix must dilate to 10cm before a vaginal delivery can take place.
Colostrum
Colostrum is the first yellowish breastmilk a mother produces in late pregnancy or during the hours after birth. Colostrum is high in nutrients and antibodies.
Contraction
A contraction occurs when the muscles in the uterus tighten to help push the baby out. Contractions usually grow more and more painful as labour progresses.
Crowning
When a baby’s head becomes visible once the cervix is fully dilated, it’s referred to as crowning.
CVS
CVS or Chorionic villus sampling is a test during pregnancy to check if the baby has a genetic or chromosomal condition.
