ALB is a protein substance that is measured with a urine test. High levels of albumin can be a sign of pre-eclampsia.

AFP is a protein present in your blood during pregnancy. Levels higher or lower than normal may indicate the need for further tests.

This is one form of pre-natal testing. An ultrasound helps to determine what position your baby is in, and as it is watched, a long hollow needle takes some of the fluid and tests it for any abnormalities.

This is a liquid of mostly water that surrounds your baby and protects it while it’s in the uterus. When your water breaks, it is the amniotic fluid that is released in preparation for your baby’s birth.

Refers to anything that occurs before birth.

APH refers to bleeding from the vagina before birth (between twenty four weeks gestational age to term).

Mucus that is light reddish or brown and released from your cervical area near the end of your pregnancy. It is a common sign of a body preparing for labour.

This is the position of a baby lying bottom or feet down in your womb. This is the position of most babies until they gradually turn towards the end of pregnancy. When a baby is breeched it means they are positioned bottom-first instead of head-first for birth.

These are practice contractions which may happen throughout the pregnancy. They do not dilate your cervix, and are therefore not dangerous.

This refers to the position of your baby lying head down in your womb, the most usual position to be born.

Commonly referred to as a 'C-section', this is a surgical procedure of delivering the baby. An epidural (a form of anesthesia for pain relief) is given at this time, and an incision is made at the lower part of the abdomen.

This is when your uterus tightens so that the cervix thins and dilates, making way for your baby to go through the birth canal.

During pregnancy, you may feel repeated pains that are similar to those during a menstrual cycle. During the second trimester, women may also experience cramps due to the stretching of the abdominal muscles.

Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth. It is an abundant source of stem cells, which are genetically distinctive to your baby and your family. While it is usually discarded after birth, some parents find it assuring to bank their baby’s cord blood in a cord blood bank.

Dilation refers to the gradual opening of the cervix to permit passage of the baby during labour. Progress is measured in centimeters and full dilation is about 10 centimeters.