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Labor
The process by which a fetus is delivered.It is divided into three stages:the first stage, when the cervix dilates; the second stage, when you push and the baby is born; the third stage, when the placenta, or afterbirth comes out.
Last Menstrual Period
A woman’s last period prior to becoming pregnant.The first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) is used to calculate the due date.
Placenta
The temporary organ which serves as the communication between a mother's body and fetus during pregnancy.It develops with the fetus from the time of conception.Throughout a pregnancy, the placenta has many roles.Starting at 12 weeks, the placenta produces hormones that sustain a pregnancy.It also carries oxygen and nutrients from the mother’s blood supply to the baby’s.Likewise, it is the primary way a developing baby can eliminate wastes.A functioning placenta is absolutely necessary for a pregnancy to continue.Placental problems are a frequent cause of bleeding in pregnancy and pregnancy loss.More »
Preterm
Any pregnancy which ends after 24 and before 37 weeks gestation.Although “preterm” may also be used prior to 24 weeks in the case of “preterm labor,” a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks is still considered a miscarriage, rather than an infant death. These distinctions are mostly of concern to medication professionals, and do not affect a woman’s emotional reaction to pregnancy loss. It is important, however, to know how far along you were at the time of your previous losses because it may help your provider plan your care for future pregnancies.
Second Stage of Labor
After the cervix is fully dilated, the fetus is able to move from the uterus to the vagina.This is the “pushing” stage of labor.In early losses, there is often little or no pushing involved.Later in pregnancy, you may have to push to birth your baby. The second stage can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.It ends when the baby is born.
Third Stage of Labor
Following the birth of the baby, the placenta detaches from the uterine wall and must be delivered as well.During this stage, you may still feel cramping or contractions while the uterus begins to shrink back to a non-pregnant size.Typically, this stage lasts less than 15 minutes.If it lasts longer, your doctor or midwife may have to assist the placenta to detach and deliver.Often, in early pregnancy losses, the bag of waters never breaks, allowing the fetus and placenta to delivery together, eliminating this stage.
Trimester
Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters. The first trimester, from weeks 1-12, is the most common for miscarriage.The second trimester, from weeks 13-27 includes both late miscarriage and preterm delivery. The third trimester, from weeks 28-42, is when a pregnancy loss is called an intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) or stillbirth.More »
Uterus
The large muscular organ that is part of the female reproductive system.The uterus develops a thick layer of blood and other cells each month prior to ovulation in preparation for a potential pregnancy. If an egg becomes fertilized at the proper time, it will implant in this specialized layer of nutrients and begin to develop.The uterus will grow to many times its size during pregnancy while the baby is housed inside, along with the placenta and the bag of waters.Problems with the uterus can contribute to difficulty getting pregnant, and pregnancy loss.
Vagina
Also known as the birth canal, the vagina is the tunnel-like part of the female reproductive system which leads from the uterus and cervix to the outside of the body.A baby passes through the vagina in the second stage of labor.The placenta also pass through the vagina to complete labor in the third stage.Vaginal bleeding can often be the first sign of a pregnancy complication or impending miscarriage.
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