This list of terms is not exhaustive, but are commonly used in expert witness reports, letters of claim, letters of response, and medical notes. Not included are conditions of pregnancy which are unlikely to relate to negligence and birth injury. I have not included words relating to injury to the mother, as its outside the scope of this list.
Medical Terms – Pregnancy
When you are reviewing your medical notes, or trying to make sense of the expert witness reports, there are a lot of medical words you may not be familiar with.
Therefore, I have put together a summary of some of the words you may see, and a brief explanation of their meaning.
This section deals with pregnancy and the others with labour, and post delivery.
This section deals only with terms/words likely to be used with regard to negligence and are not extensive regarding the entirety of pregnancy. To add these would make the list too long.
If you have further questions relating to the terms used in any reports you receive, the person to ask is the solicitor dealing with your case.
Antepartum Haemorrhage
Any bleeding relating to the pregnancy from 24 weeks. It can be due to something serious like placental abruption, or be relatively minor. The wellbeing of the mother and baby should always be checked out.
Anterior Placenta/Posterior Placenta
The placenta is growing on the front of the uterine wall (anterior) or on the back (posterior)
Breech position
Baby is feet or bottom down and the head is not engaged
Brow presentation/facial presentation
Baby’s head is tilted badly and this is regarded as a malpresentation that should not be delivered vaginally
Braxton Hicks Contractions
Minor contractions that are not regular or severe and not associated with other signs of labour. They are simply the uterus readying itself for labour.
Chorionic Villus Sampling CVS
A test carried out between 11-14 weeks to detect abnormalities in the baby’s chromosomes. Often offered following a high reading for one of the fetal abnormalities seen on USS
Cardiotocography (CTG) or electronic fetal monitoring (EFM)
Electronic monitoring during pregnancy and labour. Two pads are strapped to the abdomen and they record the baby’s heart rate, the mother’s heart rate and the contractions. Misinterpretation of CTG is one of the commonest reasons for birth injury
Cholestasis of pregnancy
This is a liver condition which needs careful treatment and monitoring.
Chorioamnionitis
An infection of the umbilical cord, membranes, or amniotic fluid. There are various indicators of infection which should be picked up early and treated. It is an added risk with pre term rupture of membranes.
Due date
From 37 to 42 weeks is considered a normal time to deliver, although after 40 weeks, the risks can increase in some mothers, particularly if there are other issues such as diabetes.
Doppler Scanner
A hand held method of measuring the baby’s heart rate. Dopplers can sometimes ‘double up’ and literally double the baby’s heart rate. It is a known fault and midwives are aware of this anomaly
External Cephalic Version (ECV)
Attempt to turn a breech baby towards the end of the pregnancy
Fetus/foetus
The baby, usually referred to like this when it is very small.
Fundus Height
The height of the uterus measured manually by the midwife as a rough estimate of the baby’s growth
Group Strep B Infection GSB
This is a bacteria that often lives harmlessly in men and women in the genital area. However, in rare cases, when the baby is born via the birth canal, they can become infected with GSB and develop sepsis or meningitis. They can become seriously ill. However, the symptoms should be picked up by a competent midwife and treated with antibiotics. A mother known to carry GSB can be given antibiotics prior to going into labour. Currently this is not routinely tested for.
Prenatal
Period before birth. Period during pregnancy
Pre-Eclampsia
Condition in the second half of pregnancy causing high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and fluid retention (e.g. swollen hands and ankles)
Eclampsia
If left untreated, pre eclampsia develops into a very serious condition where the mother may have siezures and the baby and mother are both severely compromised
Transverse lie position
Baby is lying from side to side in the uterus. Again, this is a malpresentation
Placenta Praevia
The placenta is over the cervix and, unless it moves away as the baby grows, can cause extreme haemorrhage during labour or pregnancy
Premature Labour
The mother goes into labour early. The earlier the baby is the worse the chances of survival.
Gestational diabetes
High blood and urine sugar levels during pregnancy in a previously non diabetic woman. Monitoring and treatment of the diabetes with medication or insulin is important as is plotting the baby’s weight, as diabetes can cause the baby to grow larger.
Hydramnios
An excessive amount of amniotic fluid around the baby. This should be monitored as it can affect the mother and baby.
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), also known as fetal growth restriction
Babies with IUGR are small for dates and should have this picked up during routine USS. They should be monitored and, if the IUGR is severe may need early delivery.
Multiple Pregnancy
Two or more babies (twins, triplets etc.). These should always be managed by a consultant, as they are considered high risk.
Oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid)
Mothers with reduced amniotic fluid should be monitored more carefully.
Placental abruption
A separation of the placenta from the uterine wall before the 3rd stage of labour. It can be mild with minimal effects, to catastrophic, with severe hemorrhage and infant mortality. Warning signs are constant abdominal pain with or without bleeding, and an abnormal fetal heart rate.
Premature rupture of membranes
If the rupture of membranes occurs anytime other than at the start of normal labour, its termed premature. Its often the precursor to early labour, but sometimes the baby can survive with reduced amniotic fluid. However, there is a high risk of infection, so it needs careful management and monitoring.
Reduced Fetal Movements
Movements of the baby noted by the mother. May be documented. Any deviation from the baby’s normal movements should be investigated
Ultrasound scan USS and Anomaly Scan
A non invasive scan using sound waves to monitor the pregnancy. They are used to date and to detect any abnormalities. They are used to monitor the size and growth of the baby
