Pregnancy And Baby Glossary - M

Mastitis to Multipara

An infection of a milk duct in the breast, which is most common after delivering a baby, whether breast or bottle-feeding. Fever, an area on your breast that is reddened, sore, hard or hot are all symptoms of mastitis.

The baby's first bowel movements, which are often black or green and sticky.

The germ layer of the baby that forms connective tissue, muscles, kidneys and other organs.

A woman who provides prenatal care to pregnant women as well as care during and after labor and delivery. Midwives provide more personal, woman-focused support. They usually work with a backup physician or group of physicians they can call on to deal with pregnancy or birthing problems.

Giving birth to a baby, involuntarily, before it can survive outside the mother's womb, usually before 20 weeks gestation.

A form of birthmark with large bluish spots, which are more common in darker-skinned babies. These marks usually fade or disappear later in childhood.

Also know as Down's syndrome, is a chromosomal disorder that caused mental retardation.

The tiny bumps around the areola, which are glands that enlarge during pregnancy.

Nausea with or without vomiting, usually during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Also known as the startle reflex, is a reflex that is present at birth and typically disappears after a few months. It can be triggered by a sudden change in position or a loud noise. When babies are startled, they suddenly reach out their arms and hands, extend the neck, then bring the arms together and may even cry loudly. This reaction is normal and it even occurs during sleep.

A "plug" of mucus that blocks the cervical canal during pregnancy. The plug is loosened and passed prior to labor or during labor, when the cervix starts to thin out and dilate.

A woman who has had at least one previous pregnancy.

A woman who has given birth to two or more babies.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z