Jennifer Worth - Farewell To The East End

Antenatal. The term used to describe the whole of pregnancy from conception to the onset of labour.

Anterior presentation. The back of the baby’s head in labour will normally be in the front or anterior part of the mother’s pelvis. The anterior presentation is the most favourable for the baby to adopt for a normal delivery.

Asphixia pallida. A newborn baby that has become very pale (grey/white) because there is no attempt to breathe and the heartbeat has become dangerously slow.

Atelectasis. An incomplete expansion of lobules (clusters of alveoli) or lung segments may result in partial or complete lung collapse. The collapsed tissue, unable to perform gas exchange, allows unoxygenated blood to pass through it unchanged, producing hypoxemia (deficient oxygenation of the blood). Atelectasis can be present at birth (incomplete expansion of the lungs), or during adulthood (from a collapsed lung). Prognosis depends on prompt removal of any airway obstruction, relief of hypoxia, and re-expansion of the collapsed lobule(s) or lung(s).

b.d.The medical shorthand used as an instruction on prescriptions to mean twice a day. From the Latin bis die .

Cervix. The cervix is the neck of the womb or uterus.

Caesarean section. An operation to deliver a baby through an incision in the mother’s abdomen

Chloral hydrate. Chloral hydrate was a mild sedative and analgesic used in the early stages of labour. The drug was given as a drink with either water and glucose or fruit juice. Chloral hydrate is an irritant to the stomach and often caused vomiting, so is no longer used.

Contraction. A contraction is the intermittent tightening of the muscles of the uterus (womb) which are painful during labour.

Cord presentation. The cord is palpable at cervix through the intact membranes.

Crown. The top of the baby’s head, usually the first part of the head to emerge. When the top of the head emerges it is said to crown.

Crowned. When the widest diameter of the baby’s head is at the vaginal opening during delivery the head is said to have ‘crowned’.

Curette. A surgical instrument that comes in different sizes and shapes that is used to scrape away unhealthy or unwanted tissue.

D and C. Dilatation and curettage (D and C) is an operation to remove any pieces of placenta or membrane from the uterus to prevent further bleeding or infection.

Dates. The date that the baby is due.

Eclampsia. Eclampsia is a rare and severe consequence of pre-eclampsia. It is characterised by convulsions and is an infrequent cause of death of a mother and unborn baby.

Ergometrine. Ergometrine is an oxytocic drug which makes the muscle of the uterus contract after delivery.

Eve’s rocking. An outdated method of resuscitation. Chest compressions are more effective and are used with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

External Cephalic Version (ECV). Rotating the unborn baby or foetus into a position more favourable for a normal delivery.

Exsanguinate. Extensive blood loss. Possibly fatal.

First stage of labour. The first stage of labour is from the start of regular painful contractions until the cervix (neck of the womb) is fully open.

Forceps. Forceps are used to gently hold tissue during an operation or surgical procedures.

Full term. The length of a pregnancy is nine months (forty weeks). Full term is considered to be thirty-eight to forty-two weeks of pregnancy.

Fundus. The top of the uterus.

Gamgee. Absorbent tissue.

Gas and air machine. Gas and air was a popular form of pain relief for labour. The air has now been exchanged for oxygen, but the term ‘gas and air’ is still used. The ‘gas’ too has changed over the years: the ‘gas’ in current use is nitrous oxide.

Gestation. The gestation is the number of weeks of pregnancy.

Gluteous muscle. The gluteous or gleuteous maximus muscle is the large muscle in the bottom.

Higginson’s syringe. A type of flexible syringe with a long nozzle usually used to administer enemas.

IM. Intra-muscular or into the muscle.

IV. Intra-venous or intra-venous infusion may be more commonly known as a drip (in this case blood).

Lobeline. A respiratory stimulant.

Left side. Positioning women on their left side for delivery was popular for a while. Women are now encouraged to choose the position for delivery that is most comfortable for them. The left side or left lateral position is rarely used.

Menorrhagia. Excessive menstrual blood flow.

Nurse. Title of nurse is now rarely used for or by midwives. Midwifery is an entirely separate profession. Many midwives were trained as nurses, but this dual qualification is now less common.

Obstetric forceps. Forceps used to grasp the foetal head to facilitate the delivery in a difficult labour.

Occipital protuberance. Or occiput is the back of the baby’s head.

Os. The opening of the cervix which leads into the womb.

Otitis media. Inflammation or infection of the middle ear.

Oxytocic drugs. Drugs such as Oxytocin or Ergometrine that make the muscle of the uterus contract after delivery and are used to either assist the delivery of the placenta or control bleeding after delivery of the placenta.

Paediatrician. A doctor who specialises in the care of children.

Peritoneum. The lining of the abdominal cavity.

Pathology lab. Laboratory where samples of blood would be sent for confirmation of infection.

Pethidine. A drug used for pain relief in labour.

Perineum. The area of skin between the vagina and the anus.

Phthisis. Tuberculosis of the lungs. No longer in scientific use.

Pink eye. Conjunctivitis is also known as ‘pink eye’, an inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye. The conjunctiva is the membrane that covers the eye.

Pinards. A simple trumpet-shaped stethoscope used by the midwife to listen to the baby’s heartbeat before birth.

Pitocin. An early proprietary brand name for an oxytocic drug used for induction of labour or treatment of uterine inertia.

Pituitrin. A hormone produced by the pituitary gland, which helps enable lactation. The hormone also stimulates contraction of the uterus and was formerly used to help to induce labour.

Placenta. Also known as the afterbirth. The baby’s life-support system supplying the baby with oxygen and nutrients and removing waste products while he/she is growing in the womb. The placenta also produces essential hormones during the pregnancy.

Postnatal. The time immediately following a birth when a midwife would continue to care for the mother and baby.

Post-partum delirium. A postnatal mental condition now known as puerperal psychosis. The less severe form is called postnatal depression.

Pouch of Douglas. A small pouch-shaped area situated behind the uterus and in front of the rectum.

Pre-eclampsia. A disease that is peculiar to pregnancy. The symptoms are: high blood pressure, protein in the urine and oedema (swelling).