Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS): A group of signs and symptoms, usually of severe infections, in a person who has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Anemia: Abnormally low levels of red blood cells in the bloodstream.
Antibiotics: Medications that treat or decrease the risk of certain infections caused by bacteria.
Antibodies: Proteins in the blood that the body makes in reaction to foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses.
Bacteria: One-celled organisms that can cause infections in the human body.
Birth Defects: Physical problems that are present at birth.
Cells: The smallest units of structures in the body. Cells are the building blocks for all parts of the body.
Cervix: The lower, narrow end of the uterus at the top of the vagina.
Chlamydia: A sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria. This infection can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, pelvic pain, and infertility.
Chromosomes: Structures found in each cell in the body. They contain the genes that determine a person’s physical makeup.
Complications: Diseases or conditions that happen as a result of another disease or condition. An example is pneumonia that develops with the flu. An example of a pregnancy complication is preterm labor.
Diabetes:A condition that causes high levels of sugar in the blood.
Fetus: The stage of human development beyond 8 completed weeks after fertilization.
Gene: Segments of DNA that contain instructions for the development of a person’s physical traits and control of the processes in the body. The gene is the basic unit of heredity and can be passed from parent to child.
Genetic Counselor: A health care professional with special training in genetics who can provide expert advice about genetic disorders and prenatal testing.
Gestational Diabetes: Diabetes that starts during pregnancy.
Glucose: A sugar in the blood that is the body’s main source of fuel.
Gonorrhea: A sexually transmitted infection that can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and arthritis.
Group B Streptococcus (GBS): A type of bacteria that many people carry normally and can be passed to the fetus at the time of delivery. GBS can cause serious infection in some newborns. Antibiotics are given during labor to women who carry the bacteria to prevent newborn infection.
Hepatitis B: An infection caused by a virus that can be spread through blood, semen, or other body fluid infected with the virus.
Hepatitis C: An infection caused by a virus that can be spread through infected blood.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): A virus that attacks certain cells of the body’s immune system. If left untreated, HIV can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Immune: Protected against infectious disease.
Intravenous (IV) Line: A tube inserted into a vein and used to deliver medication or fluids.
Measles–Mumps–Rubella (MMR) Vaccine: A shot given to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella. The shot contains live viruses that have been changed to not cause disease. The shot is not recommended for pregnant women.
Obstetrician–Gynecologist (Ob-Gyn): A doctor with medical and surgical training and education in the female reproductive system.
Preeclampsia:[pre-ee-KLAMP-see-uh]: A disorder during pregnancy or after childbirth that causes high blood pressure and other signs of organ injury. These signs include an abnormal amount of protein in the urine, a low number of platelets, abnormal kidney or liver function, pain over the upper abdomen, fluid in the lungs, a severe headache, or vision changes.
Rectum: The last part of the digestive tract.
Rh Factor:A protein that can be found on the surface of red blood cells and makes up part of a person’s blood type.
Rubella:A virus that can be passed to the fetus if you become infected during pregnancy. The virus can cause miscarriage or severe birth defects.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs):Infections that are spread by sexual contact. Infections include chlamydia, gonorrhea, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS]).
Stillbirth: Birth of a dead fetus.
Syphilis:A sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is caused by an organism called Treponema pallidum. This infection may cause major health problems or death in its later stages.
Trimester: A time period of 3 months. There are three trimesters in pregnancy: the first trimester, second trimester, and third trimester.
Tuberculosis [tu-buhr-kyuh-LOH-suhs] (TB): A disease that affects the lungs and other organs in the body. TB is caused by bacteria.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): An infection in any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, bladder, or urethra.
Vagina: A tube-like structure surrounded by muscles. The vagina leads from the uterus to the outside of the body.
