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Cephalic

Cerclage

Cervical fluid/mucus

Cervical mucus

Cervical smear (PAP)

Cervicitis

Cervix

Cesarean Section
delivery

Chemical pregnancy

Chloasma

Chocolate cyst

Chorionic villus
sampling (CVS)

Chromosomes

Clinical pregnancy

Clomiphene (clomid)

Colostrum

Contractions

Cord prolapse

Cryopreservation

Crowning

Cyst

Cystic Fibrosis

Cytomegalovirus
infection (“CMV”)

Pertaining to the baby's head. A cephalic presentation means the baby is head-down. This is the desired presentation, and happens in approximately 97% of all births.

A surgical stitch of the cervix, intended to help keep the cervix closed for the duration of the pregnancy. Used to prevent miscarriage and/ore preterm labor.

A vaginal discharge that appears throughout the various stages of the menstrual cycle, sometimes thick and whitish, sometimes sticky, and, close to ovulation, clear and stretchy (looking much like raw egg white, and coined "egg white cervical mucus," or EWCM).

The secretion in the cervical canal. The amount and texture changes during the menstrual cycle.

A screening test for cancer of the neck of the womb.

Inflammation of the cervix.

The neck, or opening of the uterus, from which the baby emerges. During dilation, the opening of the cervix enlarges enough for the baby to emerge.

Also known as a "c-section"; the delivery of a baby via an abdominal surgical incision. Most common is a transverse (or "bikini") incision that is performed along the top of the pubic hairline. Vertical ("classical") incisions are less common but may be required in certain circumstances.

Pregnancy documented by a blood or urine test that shows a rise in the level of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone without the presence of a fetus.

A patchy brownish discoloration of the skin on the face, caused by pregnancy hormones causing an increased production of the pigment melanin. It's also called "the mask of pregnancy." Chloasma usually disappears after delivery.

A cyst inside the ovary filled with old blood. It occurs in endometriosis.

A procedure that involves taking a biopsy from the placenta to test the fetus for genetic abnormalities. It is usually carried out under ultrasound scan at about eleven weeks of pregnancy. The placenta has the same genetic make-up as the baby. There is a 2-3% risk of the procedure causing a miscarriage.

Thread like structures that lie inside the nucleus of a cell. A human cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes. Chromosomes are packed up with genes which carry all the information needed for the human body. The 23 pairs of chromosomes include a pair of sex chromosomes that determine the sex of the embryo. There are two types of sex chromosomes, X and Y - the Y is smaller than the X and contain all the essential genes for sex determination. The presence of a Y chromosome ensures a male (XY), its absence ensures a female (XX).

A pregnancy confirmed by increasing levels of hCG and the presence of a gestational sac detected by ultrasound scan but no fetus is present.

A fertility drug (anti estrogen tablet) used to stimulate ovulation.

Early breastmilk, rich in nutrients and antibodies. Colostrum may be apparent even as early as the second trimester of pregnancy. It is replaced by milk a few days after birth.

A tightening of the uterus. During labor, contractions become stronger, longer and rhythmic, and help the baby progress down the birth canal. Not all contractions cause cervical change - see Braxton Hicks contractions.

Premature expulsion of the umbilical cord in labor before the fetus is delivered.

The storage of the sperm, embryos or eggs by freezing at a low temperature (-196°C), also known as “freezing”.

When the baby's head appears at the vaginal opening, shortly before delivery.

Sac filled with fluid.

A common genetic disease. If both partners carry the gene, there is a 25% chance that the child will have the disease. This is unpleasant and currently there is no cure. It affects the lungs, bowels, pancreas, sweat glands etc.

Infection caused by the cytomegalovirus. Primary infection of the mother during pregnancy may result in the death of the fetus or serious generalized disease of the newborn. More commonly, congenital infection follows a benign course though about 10% of affected children may subsequently be mentally retarded.