FAQ – WNC Birth Center

How are birth centers different?

Birth Centers were designed for healthy, low-risk mothers and healthy babies. The atmosphere in a birth center is meant to feel like a nice country inn or somebody's well-kept home. There is also a lot of privacy at the birth center because of its low volume. We have just 3 birth suites and a transition room so no more than 3 or 4 patients and their babies are in the birth wing of our center at the same time. And because it's the place where the mother, her partner and sometimes younger children have come for her prenatal care, they are familiar with the space and the staff. There are no strangers when the mother comes to the birth center in labor.

Through our prenatal care and education program, parents learn what to expect when labor begins. A mother knows she can wear her own clothes and eat and drink as she chooses during labor. She will be encouraged to walk around within the center or maybe in our peaceful back yard. She is able to choose her support people- perhaps her mother, sister, partner, birth doula or a very close friend. Still, we always remind families that birth is not "a spectator sport" and good labor progress depends to a great extent on the mother feeling relaxed and undisturbed. In the birth center, women may labor in whatever position they find most comfortable. We consider it our job to provide an atmosphere where the mother can feel confident, supported and as relaxed as possible, so she will listen to and use her body well.

Birth centers promote breastfeeding. Most newborns are alert and will nurse well in the first hour after birth. Our staff encourages and supports the mother during that first breastfeeding opportunity. In this way, breastfeeding and the education and support of the mother in the breastfeeding process is established early on.

There are no routines at a birth center. There is no routine prep or enema or IV. Mothers are not tethered to a machine for continuous or even intermittent electronic fetal monitoring. The baby's heartbeat is checked regularly, but with a handheld Doppler (heart monitor). Also, the standard of care at birth centers means that instead of cutting an episiotomy, our midwives prefer to use warm compresses, correct positioning and patience to ease the passage of the baby and minimize tearing.

But what if there's a problem during labor or after the baby is born? Like life, labor and birth are not always perfect. However, midwives are highly skilled at detecting when the process is no longer "normal" and can anticipate when a higher level of care may be needed. We have a formal system in place to deal with transfers to Mission Hospital which is just 2 1/2 minutes from our center. Statistically about 12% of birth center patients will need to be transferred, but the vast majority of those are not emergencies. In most cases the midwife will accompany the family to the hospital in the family's car and continue to provide maternity care in the hospital in consultation with our back-up physician. True emergency transports from birth centers requiring and ambulance are extremely rare.

Where is the birth center located?

Our address is 390 South French Broad, Asheville 28801. At the intersection of South French Broad and Choctaw, we are directly across from the Self-Help Credit Union and less than 3 minutes from Mission Hospital! The former medical office building is spacious, with trees and greenery on three sides, plenty of parking, lots of windows, near a city bus stop and even boasts a private backyard with a small stream.

Who owns the WNC Birth Center?

What services do you offer?

Our Certified Nurse Midwives are trained to provide high quality, full spectrum maternity, wellness and primary care for women of all ages from puberty through post menopause.

More specifically those services include:
*Complete physical exams
*Wellness care for women of all ages
*Annual gynecological exams
*Laboratory studies
*PAP tests
*Breast exams
*Treatment of minor gynecological problems
*Treatment of common ailments such as colds, flu, bladder infections
*Menopause consultation and support
*Birth control & family planning & intrauterine insemination
*Pre-pregnancy counseling
*Prenatal care for healthy women with low-risk pregnancies
*Midwifery & nursing care throughout labor & delivery
*Comfortable birth rooms, each with private bath and large tub; family area with kitchen
*Immediate newborn care
*Breastfeeding support
*Postpartum home visit
*Telephone contact each postpartum day until home visit
*Postpartum visits at the birth center at two and six weeks
*Nurse Midwife on call 24/7

Will other area maternity providers be able to attend births at WNC Birth Center?

In the beginning, only the Certified Nurse Midwives on our staff will attend births at our center and only women who have been seen prenatally by our midwives will be eligible to deliver at the birth center. In the future, our board, medical director and Executive Director may consider “opening the center” such that any provider licensed in NC to attend out-of-hospital births and willing to practice the “midwifery model of maternity care” could apply for privileges to use the birth center in much the same way doctors use a hospital for their maternity patients.

Is a birth center safe?

The National Birth Center Study II, conducted by the American Association of Birth Centers (AABC) and published in the January/February 2013 issue of the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, highlights the benefits for women who seek care at midwife-led birth centers. Findings also reinforce longstanding evidence that midwife-led birth centers provide safe and effective health care for women during pregnancy, labor, and birth.

The study, which included more than 15,500 women who received care in 79 midwife-led birth centers in 33 U.S. states from 2007 through 2010, found that fewer than one in sixteen (6%) of participants required a Cesarean birth compared to nearly one in four (24%) similarly low-risk women cared for in a hospital setting. Expecting families who choose the birth center setting in the U.S. can expect high-quality, family-centered care. Less than two percent of women who choose the birth center setting will require an urgent transfer for either mother or newborn. Stillbirth and newborn death rates in accredited birth centers are comparable to rates seen in low-risk births in the hospital setting. The information provided by the new National Birth Center Study II will help women and families make evidence-based, informed decisions about their baby's birth.

Is the WNC Birth Center accredited?

Yes, the WNC Birth Center is among a select group of birth centers nationwide that have met the standards of the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC). We are also a member in good standing of the American Association of Birth Centers

Here are. a few examples of how CABC Accreditation ensures dedication to exceptional care for you and your baby.

The standards require best practices in maternity care, so that CABC accredited birth centers can keep up with the latest research.
Because CABC accredited birth centers have proper training and equipment (which meets another standard), they can provide safe care in emergencies.
CABC Accreditation also requires that CABC accredited birth centers use a shared decision-making process, which helps them better understand what you need as they work with you through your pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum and new parent experiences.

Will water births be done at the birth center?

How do I know if a birth center is right for me?

The majority of women are good candidates for a birth center birth. Many European countries utilize a midwifery model of care and out-of-hospital birth is quite common and accepted. Women who choose an out-of-hospital birth are committed to maintaining optimum health and well-being during their pregnancies and to birthing naturally.

For example, they:
*Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet
*Continue to exercise in preparation for their birth and recovery
*Educate themselves by reading from many different resources
*Ask questions during their prenatal visits
*Take advantage of community resources
*Prepare for birth by taking one of the many different childbirth preparation courses offered in the area.
Women choosing birth center care understand that in most cases, minimal medical intervention is safest for both mother and baby. In fact, support and patience are generally all that’s needed. However occasionally, pregnancy and birth don’t go as planned and intervention may be necessary to ensure the best possible outcome. In such a situation, a trusting and respectful relationship has been established between the family and the midwives, and a discussion of risks, benefits and alternatives occurs with ample time for questions. If intervention or transfer to the hospital is needed, the family feels comfortable with the plan of care and the midwife continues to be present and supportive during the entire process.

Is there an age limit for maternity patients?

I have certain health problems. How do I know if an out-of-hospital birth is safe for me?

Many women have health issues that are well controlled by lifestyle or medication and can still birth safely at the birth center. Examples are:

*Thyroid disorders managed with medication
*Mild asthma
*Depression or anxiety managed with counseling or medication
*Abnormal pap smears, or surgery on the cervix
*Pregnancy with a prior history of infertility
*Age 35-45
*History of miscarriage

Some conditions make out-of-hospital births potentially unsafe. The following is a partial list of common medical conditions that make a woman ineligible for birth center care.

*Hypertension or high blood pressure prior to pregnancy
*Diabetes requiring insulin or medication
*Prior surgery on the uterus, including cesarean birth. Note: Once our midwives have admitting privileges at the hospital and if our medical director approves, we hope to offer prenatal care to women wanting a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), however, the birth will take place at the hospital under the care of one of our midwives. However, this will likely not be an option when we first open.
*Bleeding or blood-clotting disorders
*With a first pregnancy, being very overweight with a Body Mass Index higher than 35 or being very slim with a BMI lower than 18 and a history of a eating disorder.
*With a second pregnancy or higher, being very overweight with a BMI higher than 40
*History of a blood clot
*Smoking more than one pack of cigarettes per day
*IVF pregnancy
*A chronic, infectious disease, such as HIV, Hepatitis B or C, or Tuberculosis
*Certain psychiatric disorders, such as psychosis, especially related to a previous pregnancy or postpartum experience
*Certain autoimmune disorders, such as Lupus
*Twins or multiples

You will be asked about your health history on you intake screening phone call. Any question will be discussed with a midwife and eligibility for care will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

What About Fees and Insurance?

WNC Birth Center is now enrolled (in network) with Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medcost for both our provider fees and facility fees (use of the birth wing). We also now have contracts for our provider fees with Crescent plans Healthgram and Kanwha. Facility fee contracts with Crescent plans are expected soon.

If we do not yet have a contract with your insurance carrier, please check with your company about their “out-of-network” maternity care benefits. Typically, deductibles and co-payment amounts are higher.

Uninsured clients: For those who meet the financial requirements, we have a Financial Hardship Discount Program that applies a sliding scale fee discount according to family income. Discounts range from 10-30%. Verification of income is required (W-2 or Tax Return for 2016, or two recent pay stubs).

Will the WNC Birth Center do VBACs (vaginal birth after a cesarean)?

Why is my appointment being rescheduled?

The goal of our practice is to provide personalized care to each of our patients, especially when they are in labor and birthing. Because of the unpredictability of birth, a midwife may be called to attend a woman in labor at a moment's notice, and we will rearrange the office schedule at the last minute to accommodate that. We understand it is often inconvenient, but please know that you will receive the same attentive care at your birth!

Do you have a list of definitions for words/ terms related to pregnancy and birth?

Abruption	When the placenta prematurely breaks away from the uterine wall. Also called abruptio placentae.
Alpha-Fetoprotein	A test that assesses the risk (does not diagnose) of neural tube defects and Down Syndrome. Usually given between the 15-20 weeks; preferred at 16 weeks.
Amniocentesis	This procedure entails drawing a small quantity of amniotic fluid from the sac surrounding the fetus. The particles of the baby's sloughed-off skin cells floating in the water are then tested for fetal abnormalities.
Amniotic Fluid	This protective liquid, consisting mostly of water, fills in the sac surrounding the fetus.
Amniotic Sac	The sac that holds the protective liquid called amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus.
Anemia	An iron deficiency common in pregnancy. The amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin (the substance in the blood that carries oxygen to organs) becomes reduced, causing fatigue that can be severe.
Anterior	Baby faces the correct way (face down) when emerging from the uterus.
APGAR Score	This is a measurement of a newborn's response to birth and life outside the womb. Ratings are based on Appearance (color); Pulse (heartbeat); Grimace (reflex); Activity (muscle tone) and Respiration (breathing). The score is taken at 1 and 5 minutes (sometimes also at 10 minutes) after birth, the high score being 10 and the low score being 1. This scale was named for its creator, Virginia Apgar
Areola	The dark area encircling the nipple. (When breastfeeding, you will need to make sure the baby latches onto the areola, not just the nipple.)
AROM	Acronym stands for artificial rupture of membranes. It means that a doctor or midwife breaks the woman's water.
Bags of Water	Another term for the membranes that surrounds the fetus.
Bilirubin	The waste product that results from the breakdown of hemoglobin molecules from worn out red blood cells. It is normally excreted from the body as the main component of bile. See Jaundice.
Birth Center	A special place for women to give birth. They have all the required equipment for birthing, but are specially designed for a woman, her partner, and family. Birth centers may be free standing (separate from a hospital) or located within a hospital.
"Bloody Show"	Blood-tinged mucous from the vagina. May mean you are losing the mucous plug that has sealed off the cervix up to this point.
"Bradley Method"	Also known as "Husband-coached Childbirth," instructors teach natural breathing, encourage husband support, breastfeeding, etc.
Braxton-Hicks Contractions	These "practice" contractions occur at various times during pregnancy, but can increase in intensity during your last month. They happen at random and are typically not painful. They do not dilate the cervix as "real" contractions do.
Breech Presentation	Where the fetus is positioned head up to be born buttocks first or with one or both feet first. Breech positioning is relatively uncommon, occurring in fewer than five percent of all births.
Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD)	The term given when the size, presentation, and position of the baby's head in relationship to the mom's pelvis prevents dilation of the cervix and/or decent of the baby's head.
Cervix	The entrance to the uterus.
Cesarean	The baby is delivered via an incision made in the mother's abdomen and uterus. (-section, -birth, -delivery)
Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)	This procedure tests for genetic fetal defects by analyzing a piece of chorion, which is the outer tissues of the sac surrounding the embryo. CVS can be done earlier than amniocentesis, typically between 9 and 11 weeks of pregnancy.
Colostrum	Baby's first food, this is a thin white fluid discharged from the breasts at the beginning of milk production, and usually noticeable during the last few weeks of pregnancy (though may appear in tiny amounts as early as 16 weeks). Colostrum is rich in antibodies.


Conception	When the sperm penetrates the egg.
Condom	A barrier method of birth control. There are both male and female condoms. The male condom is a sheath placed over an erect penis before sex that prevents pregnancy by blocking the passage of sperm. A female condom also is a sheath, but is inserted into the vagina to block the passage of sperm.
Constipation	Infrequent or hard stools or difficulty passing stools.
Contraction	The regular tightening of the uterus, working to dilate and efface the cervix and to push the baby down the birth canal.
Crowned/Crowning	Describes when the baby's head is pushing though the fully dilated cervix and ready to pass out of the vagina.
Cystic Fibrosis	One of the most common serious genetic (inherited) diseases. One out of every 400 couples is at risk for having children with CF. CF causes the body to make abnormal secretions leading to mucous build-up. CF mucous build-up can impair organs such as the pancreas, the intestine and the lungs.
Dehydration	Excessive loss of body water that the body needs to carry on normal functions at an optimal level. Signs include increasing thirst, dry mouth, weakness or lightheadedness (particularly if worse on standing), and a darkening of the urine or a decrease in urination.
Depression	A term used to describe an emotional state involving sadness, lack of energy and low self-esteem.
Diaphragm	A birth control device made of a thin flexible disk, usually made of rubber, that is designed to cover the cervix to prevent the entry of sperm during sexual intercourse.
Dilation	The amount the cervix has opened in preparation for childbirth, dilation is measured in centimeters or, less accurately, in "fingers." "Fully dilated" means you're at 10 centimeters and are ready to push.
Doppler	A device which employs ultrasound to listen to the fetal heart. Sometimes referred to as a Doptone.
Doula	The Greek definition is "trusted servant" or "woman's servant." Also known as a monitrice, the term refers to a woman who helps a couple through childbirth.
Down’s Syndrome	A genetic disease that is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21.
Early labor	This is usually when you've had regular contractions for two hours or more, as frequent as every five minutes to every twenty minutes. Your cervix dilates up to three or four centimeters during this stage.
Ectopic (Tubal) Pregnancy	A pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus. The large majority of ectopic (tubal) pregnancies occur in the fallopian tube, but some can occur in the abdominal cavity as well.
Edema	Swelling of soft tissues as a result of excess water retention.
Effacement	This refers to the thinning of the cervix in preparation for birth, and is expressed in percentages. You'll be 100% effaced when you begin pushing.
Electronic Fetal Monitor (EFM)	This electronic instrument is used to record the heartbeat of the fetus and contractions of the mother's uterus.
Embryo	From conception to the eighth week of pregnancy, the baby growing inside you is called an embryo.
Endometriosis	A condition in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows in other areas of the body, usually inside the abdominal cavity, but acts as if it were inside the uterus. Blood shed monthly from the misplaced tissue has no place to go, and tissues surrounding the area of endometriosis may become inflamed or swollen. This can produce scar tissue. Symptoms include painful menstrual cramps that can be felt in the abdomen or lower back, or pain during or after sexual activity, irregular bleeding, and infertility.

Engaged	When the baby's presenting part (usually the head) has settled into the pelvic cavity, usually in the last month of pregnancy. You are likely to notice that the baby's position has visibly changed and may also feel increased pressure on your bladder.
Engorgement	A condition in which breasts become overly full of milk. Engorged breasts may feel swollen, hard, and painful. Engorgement can lead to blocked milk ducts.
Episiotomy	An incision made during childbirth to the perineum, the muscle between the vagina and rectum, to widen the vaginal opening for delivery.
External Version	Performed late in pregnancy, this is where a doctor manually attempts to move a breech baby into the typical head-down position for birth.
Failure to Progress	Also called dysfunctional labor. Diagnosis given to a woman who does labor does not follow a "normal" pattern and is severely prolonged.
False Labor	This is where you experience regular and/or painful contractions that do not dilate or thin the cervix. It may be impossible for you to differentiate from "real" labor.
Fetal Distress	When the baby is not getting enough oxygen or is experiencing some other complication. Immediate delivery may be required.
Fetal Scalp Electrode	Instrument used to monitor the baby's heartbeat while still in the uterus. This device is placed just under the skin of the baby's scalp. See Internal Monitoring.
Fetus	The baby in utero, after 8 weeks of pregnancy until delivery. (Before then, it's considered an embryo.) The word fetus means "young one." (Derivative: fetal)
Fontanelle	One of two 'soft spots' between the unfused sections of the baby's skull. These spots may allow the baby's head to compress slightly during passage through the birth canal.
Forceps	A tong-like instrument which may be placed around the baby's head to help guide it out of the birth canal during delivery.
Gestation	The length of pregnancy is called "Gestation."
Gestational Diabetes	A form of diabetes that appears during pregnancy (gestation). Most pregnant women are tested for this condition. It may or may not remain after the baby is born.
Group B Strep	An infection that affects 10-25% of all pregnant women and can cause serious health problems in a newborn. Many doctors screen pregnant women now because the infection can be passed to the newborn during delivery, more commonly under certain conditions (mother has fever or infection is present, amniotic bag has been ruptured for more than 18 hours or baby is premature). The bacteria that causes Strep B is commonly found in the vagina and intestinal tract.
Hemorrhage	Excessive bleeding, or flow of blood either internally or externally.
Hemorrhoid	Enlarged veins in the anus or rectum, generally caused by constipation or straining to have a bowel movement. Very common in pregnancy or after childbirth.
Hepatitis B	A serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. You get hepatitis B by direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person; for instance, you can become infected by having sex or sharing needles with an infected person. A baby can get hepatitis B from an infected mother during childbirth.
Hepatitis C	A liver disease, caused by a virus, that makes the liver swells and stops it from working correctly.
HIV/AIDS	HIV is the virus that causes AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV infection can produce no symptoms for many years. When certain symptoms develop, a person has AIDS. AIDS is a syndrome, or group of diseases, that can be fatal. HIV/AIDS infection is life-long, there is no cure.
Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG)	The hormone pregnancy tests look for, secreted by the placenta.

Hydramnios	The medical term for a condition which involves having too much amniotic fluid; also known as polyhydramnios.
Hyperemesis	Extremely severe nausea ("morning sickness"), resulting in weight loss of five percent or more, ketosis, and electrolyte imbalance. It can lead to hospitalization if dehydration occurs.
Incompetent Cervix	A cervix that does not function properly during pregnancy and is likely to dilate prematurely and cause a miscarriage.
Incontinence	Inability to control excretions. During pregnancy, urinary incontinence can occur as the baby becomes heavy on the bladder.
Induced Labor	When labor is started or accelerated through intervention, such as by using an IV drip of the hormone oxytocin (Pitocin), placing prostaglandin gel on the cervix, or by rupturing the membranes.
Internal Monitoring	During labor, internal monitoring may be needed and is usually in the form of an electrode placed under the baby's scalp. See Fetal Scalp Electrode.
Intramuscular Narcotics	Pain relievers that are administered by injection into the muscle.
Intubate	Meaning "to put a tube in," refers to procedure where a tube is placed down the person's throat to assist breathing or for other medical reasons.
IUD – Intrauterine Device	A small device that is placed inside a woman's uterus by a health care provider, which prevents pregnancy by changing the environment of the uterus (or womb).
IUGR	Intrauterine growth restriction: The growth of the fetus is abnormally slow. After the birth, the baby appears smaller than the dates say he or she should be.
Inverted Nipple	A nipple that retracts, rather than protrudes when the areola is compressed.
Jaundice (neonatal)	A somewhat common condition in newborn babies, marked by a yellowing of the skin and caused by the immature liver's inability to process excess red blood cells. Treatment for mild cases will include allowing your baby to spend time in sunlight, though in more severe cases, the baby will be admitted to the hospital and placed under lights which synthesize the sun's rays (minus harmful UV radiation).
Kegel Exercises	These exercises are done in order to strengthen the pelvic floor during delivery (to help you push more efficiently) and to assist your body in recovering from childbirth. They are most simply done by contracting and holding the muscles used to stop the flow of urine.
Labia	The inner and outer "lips" of the vulva (vagina) - the external female genitalia. The outer labia (labia majora) usually have pubic hair and the smaller inner lips (labia minora) are mostly hidden inside.
Labor	Regular contractions of the uterus that result in dilation and effacement of the cervix.
Lactation	Breastfeeding, or the secretion of breast milk.
Lamaze	A childbirth preparation method where relaxation, breathing techniques and informed decisions are paramount. For more information, see the Lamaze homepage.
Lightening	When the baby "drops" in preparation for delivery. See also Engagement.
LMP	Acronym stands for last menstrual period.
Lochia	A period-like discharge from the vagina that occurs after delivery. The discharge will probably be exceptionally heavy at first and may last five to six weeks.
Mastitis	A condition that occurs mostly in breastfeeding women, causing a hard spot on the breast that can be sore or uncomfortable. It is caused by infection from bacteria that enters the breast through a break or crack in the skin on the nipple or by a plugged milk duct.
Meconium	Baby's first bowel movement, this is the greenish substance that builds up in the bowels of a growing fetus and is normally discharged shortly after birth.
Menstruating	The blood flow from the uterus that happens about every 4 weeks in a woman.
Molding	Because the newborn's skull bones are not yet fused (to assist the birthing process), baby's heads can look "coned" or squished. This molding will not be permanent.

Mucous Plug	Pinkish mucous discharge - which blocks the cervix during pregnancy - that you may see when the cervix starts to open. Also called the 'show' or 'bloody show,' it is generally considered a sign that labor will soon begin.
Neonatal	Referring to the newborn period (the first four weeks of life).
Non-stress Test	A noninvasive test in which fetal movements are monitored and recorded, along with changes in fetal heart rate.
Nurse Midwife	A nurse who has undergone special training and has been certified to care for healthy women throughout the lifespan, including during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the postpartum period. Nurse-midwifes can perform most of the same tasks as physicians and have emergency physician backup when they deliver a baby.
Obstetrician	A doctor who specializes in pregnancy, labor and delivery.
Oligohydramnios	The medical term for a condition which involves having too little amniotic fluid.
Ovulation	The release of a single egg from a follicle that developed in the ovary. It usually occurs regularly, around day 14 of a 28-day menstrual cycle.
Oxytocin	The hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates contractions and the milk-eject reflex (let-down). Pitocin is the synthetic form of this hormone.
Pelvic Floor	Describes the area of the vulva, perineum, and anus. The pelvic floor muscles are the muscles a woman tries to loosen while giving birth.
Perineum	The muscle and tissue between the vagina and the rectum.
Pitocin	Synthetic oxytocin (a hormone that stimulates contractions, among other things) given through intravenous drip (IV) to stimulate labor.
Placenta	This is the tissue which connects the mother and fetus that transports nourishment and takes away waste.
Placenta Previa	This condition is usually discovered in late pregnancy. The placenta lies very low in the uterus, so that the opening of the uterus is partially or completely covered.
Posterior	Describing the baby's face-up position during delivery. The most common presentation is anterior (face down). Posterior deliveries generally cause back labor (back pain).
Postpartum	The period of time after a baby's birth.
Postpartum Depression	A serious condition that requires treatment from a health care provider. With this condition, feelings of the baby blues (feeling sad, anxious, afraid, or confused after having a baby) do not go away or get worse.
Post Term	When pregnancy lasts beyond 42 weeks.
Pre-eclampsia	This is a condition involving high blood pressure, swelling due to fluid retention, and abnormal kidney function.
Preterm	Babies born earlier than 37 weeks.
PROM	Acronym stands for premature rupture of membranes and means a woman's water has broken prior to the onset of labor.
Prostaglandin Cream or Gel	Medication used to ripen the cervix before induction.
Pubic Symphysis	The joint between the pubic bones at the front of the pelvis.
Rh Disease	Occurs in Rh positive infants whose mothers have Rh Negative blood (lacking the Rh factor)and the father has Rh positive blood. If some of the baby's Rh positive blood cells get into the mother's blood stream, her body produces antibodies that will try to fight them off. If this happens during pregnancy or childbirth, the mother's cells try to destroy the baby's red blood cells.
Rooting	A reflex that newborn babies have, along with the reflexes for sucking and swallowing. Rooting means turning the head to search for the nipple and milk.

Rubella	Also called German measles. Rubella virus causes rash, mild fever, and arthritis. If a woman gets rubella while she is pregnant, she could have a miscarriage or her baby could be born with serious birth defects.
Ruptured Membranes	Usually referred to as "breaking of the water bag," this is when the fluid-filled sac that surrounds the baby breaks or tears. You may notice a gush of water or a slow leak, and may not even be certain that what you're experiencing isn't simple incontinence. If you suspect your water has broken, you must inform your health care provider immediately.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases or STDs	Diseases that are spread by sexual activity.
Speculum	A metal or plastic instrument used to open the vagina slightly wider so that the cervix can be seen more easily.
Station	This is the measure of how far the baby has traveled down the birth canal.
Stress Test	This test records the fetal heart rate in response to induced mild contractions of the uterus. See also Non-stress test.
Tay Sachs Disease	A fatal genetic disorder in which harmful quantities of a fatty substance called ganglioside GM2 build up in the nerve cells in the brain and damage the cells. In children, this begins in the fetus early in pregnancy. By the time a child with Tay-Sachs is three or four years old, the nervous system is so badly affected that death usually results by age five.
Term	Referring to a 40 week pregnancy ("full term," "preterm" and "post term.").
Thalassemia	A group of blood diseases, that are inherited, which affect a person's hemoglobin and cause anemia. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen and nutrients to cells in the body.
Thrush	A yeast infection, caused by the fungus Candida albicans, of the mouth and throat. It's hallmark is white patches in the mouth. It can also occur in the gastrointestinal tract and vagina, and causes some types of diaper rash in infants.
Timing contractions	Contractions are usually measured from the beginning of one until the beginning of the next. Time your contractions with a stopwatch or the second hand on a clock. Take note also of the duration of each individual contraction.
Toxemia	Pregnancy-induced hypertension, a dangerous condition that may occur during pregnancy. Symptoms may include elevated maternal blood pressure, swelling of ankles and hands, sudden weight gain and protein in the urine.
Toxoplasmosis	This disease is caused by an organism found in raw and rare meat, garden soil and cat feces. It is typically not harmful to adults, but can cause injury to the fetus and placenta.
Transition	This is the phase after active labor when the cervix finishes dilating to 10 centimeters. Contractions are the strongest and closest together during this phase (which is also the shortest phase).
Transverse	Describes the side-lying (where the baby's body length is horizontal in the uterus) position of the baby before birth. Unless moved, the baby will have to be delivered by c-section.
Trimester	Each three-month period during the nine months of pregnancy.
Ultrasound	This test uses sound waves to view and examine the fetus or view the internal organs. It can also be used to measure bone size (usually femur length and skull diameter) to aid in gauging the gestational age of the fetus.
Umbilical Cord	The cord that carries blood, oxygen and nutrients to the baby from the placenta during pregnancy.
Urinalysis	A test that looks at urine to find out its content. Can be used to detect some types of diseases.
Urinary Tract Infection	An infection anywhere in the urinary tract, or organs that collect and store urine and release it from your body (the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra). An infection occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from the digestive tract, cling to the urethra (opening to the urinary tract) and begin to multiply.

Uterine Fibroids	A common, benign (noncancerous) tumors that grow in the muscle of the uterus, or womb. Fibroids often cause no symptoms and need no treatment, and they usually shrink after menopause. But sometimes fibroids cause heavy bleeding or pain, and require treatment.
Uterus	The uterus is your baby's home during gestation. Also referred to as the womb, the uterus is hollow with a thick, muscular wall, and is considered the strongest muscle in the human body.
Vacuum Extractor	An instrument that attaches to the baby's head and helps guide it out of the birth canal during delivery.
Vagina	The internal female genitalia where sperm are deposited. Also called the vaginal canal during birth.
VBAC	Acronym stands for vaginal birth after cesarean.
Vernix	A greasy white substance coats and protects the baby's skin in utero. Some babies happen to be born with lots of vernix still on the skin. It is harmless, no longer necessary, and will be washed or wiped off.
Vulva	The vulva is the external female genitalia, and includes the labia, clitoris, and vaginal opening.
Waterbirth	A birth that takes place in a birthing tub or pool.