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baby-friendly hospital
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facility promoting and supporting breast-feeding that does not separate the birthing person from their newborn during the entire hospital stay
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blastocyst
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group of pre-embryonic cells forming the embryo and the amnion
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Braxton Hicks contractions
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spontaneous, irregular, and painless uterine contractions that occur throughout the pregnancy; Braxton Hicks contractions normally have no effect on the cervix
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Chadwick sign
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bluish discoloration of the vagina and cervix due to the vasocongestion needed to support the growing uterus during pregnancy
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common discomforts of pregnancy
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symptoms experienced by pregnant persons due to the physiologic and anatomic changes of pregnancy, including gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, integumentary, and musculoskeletal manifestations
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couvade syndrome
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the pregnant person’s partner taking on the symptoms associated with pregnancy
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diastasis recti abdominis
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separation of the abdominal muscles caused by stretching and widening of the connective tissue that holds the muscles on each side of the abdomen
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ductus arteriosus
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shunt that connects with the pulmonary artery to the descending aorta in the fetus
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ductus venosus
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shunt that connects the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava of the fetus
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embryonic stage
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stage of development that begins with the completion of implantation and ends at the start of week 9 of gestation
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fetal stage
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stage of development that begins at 9 weeks of gestation and ends with birth
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foramen ovale
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shunt that moves the oxygenated blood from the right to left atrium in the fetus
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free-standing birthing center
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provides intrapartum, postpartum, and normal newborn care to low-risk persons whose pregnancy is uncomplicated and there is only one fetus in a vertex presentation
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genetics
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study of heredity and the patterns of inherited traits
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Goodell sign
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softening of the cervix and vagina and increase in vaginal mucus discharge during pregnancy
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Hegar sign
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softening of the lower uterine segment during pregnancy
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hypercoagulability
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increase in the ability of the blood to coagulate
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implantation
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when the trophoblast has successfully attached to the endometrium
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labor and birth suite
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designed to provide care to the person during the entire labor and birth process, immediate care to the newborn, and care in the first hours of recovery for the birthing person and transition for the newborn
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labor, delivery, recovery, postpartum (LDRP) suite
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provides care during the entire labor and birth process, and the entire postpartum stay, and provide immediate care to the newborn
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linea nigra
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vertical line of increased pigmentation that starts at the pubic hair line, passes through the umbilicus, and goes up to the xiphoid process
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melasma
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hyperpigmentation, or mask of pregnancy, on the face from the cheekbones to the forehead
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morula
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when the zygote has divided into 16 cells
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organogenesis
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formation and development of the organs of the body; starts in the embryonic stage
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physiologic anemia of pregnancy
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anemia caused by the increase in plasma volume being proportionally higher than the increase in RBCs during pregnancy
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pica
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strong craving for and consuming a nonfood substance, such as clay
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positive signs of pregnancy
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signs that directly confirm a person is pregnant
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presumptive signs of pregnancy
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symptoms noticed by the patient and are the least reliable symptoms of confirming a pregnancy because the signs can also occur with other medical conditions
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probable signs of pregnancy
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objective cues occurring during pregnancy and noticed by the provider and are also associated with gynecologic conditions, not just pregnancy
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pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP)
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benign skin condition of pregnancy; the rash is a combination of hives, bumps, microvesicles, and plaques
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ptyalism
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excessive salivation
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quickening
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perception of fetal movement by the pregnant person
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self-care practices
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daily activities to replenish oneself physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually, promoting health
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striae gravidarum
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reddish lines where the skin has stretched to accommodate the growth in the breasts, abdomen, and buttocks during pregnancy; also called
stretch marks
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surfactant
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mixture of fats and proteins produced in the lungs that coats the alveoli; when the newborn exhales, the surfactant keeps the alveoli from sticking together, interfering with expansion of the alveoli during the next inhalation
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teratogen
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anything known to affect the normal growth and development of the embryo or fetus
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TORCH
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group of infectious diseases that can be passed from the pregnant person to the fetus and is a known teratogen; diseases included are toxoplasmosis, other (originally only syphilis), rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus
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trophoblast
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group of pre-embryonic cells forming the placenta and the chorion
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vena cava syndrome
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when the pregnant person starts feeling dizzy, weak, and sometimes nauseated when lying flat on their back because of the pressure the enlarging uterus places on the vena cava starting around 28 weeks of gestation
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viability
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ability of the fetus to survive outside the uterus