APGAR
Concise assessment tool for newborn babies based on their skin color, heart rate, reflex irritablility, muscle tone, and breathing. The score goes from zero to ten from these five categories. Usually Apgar scores are taken twice. One, at the first minute and the second after five minutes of life.
AROM
Artificial rupture of membranes. This is a medical intervention to “break your water”. Intended to start or progress labor.
Birth Centers
They can either be in a hospital under hospital policy or the more autonomous birth center described below.
CNM
Certified Nurse Midwife
Doula
A doula assists women by providing physical and emotional support during
labor (Labor Doula) or as a mother's helper (Postpartum Doula).
A doula is not trained to provide health care for mother or baby.
Free Standing Birth Center
A birth center outside of a hospital institution. Most times, midwives run these centers. Generally the birth center will have an OB doctor as a backup and a relationship with a hospital for emergency situations.
Group Beta Strep (GBS)
A bacteria commonly found in the vagina or anus that is harmless to mother but can potentially have some health effects to the baby and is passed on during vaginal birth.
Lactation Consultant
A healthcare professional trained in breastfeeding knowledge. A lactation consultant gives hands on help to new moms. Many times they are hired by hospitals and help postpartum moms that decide to breastfeed.
Meconium
Baby's first bowel movement. If found when water breaks, baby could be at risk for distress.
Oxytocin
A hormone normally produced by our bodies during labor.
Pitocin
A synthetic version of the naturally produced oxytocin. Sometimes referred to as 'Pit.' Given to either start (induce) contractions or to make them stronger. Must be monitored. Also given immediately postpartum to minimize bleeding.
SROM
Spontaneous rupture of membranes or “breaking your water.”
VBAC
Vaginal birth after cesarean. There is controversy on the safety of VBACS among health care practitioners.