Definition and Terminologies used in Midwifery

Midwife

A midwife is someone who has successfully completed a midwifery education program that is recognized in the country where it is located and is based on the ICM Essential Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice and the framework of the ICM Global Standards for Midwifery Education; who has acquired the qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practice midwifery and use the title 'midwife' and who demonstrates competency in the practicum.

The term stems from the Old English words mid, "with," and wif, "woman," and originally meant "with-woman," that is, the woman who is present with the mother during birthing. Despite its origins, the term refers to both male and female midwives.

Midwifery

Obstetrics, sometimes known as midwifery, is the health science and health profession that deals with pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period (including newborn care), as well as the sexual and reproductive health of women throughout their lives. Midwifery is a medical profession in several nations (special for its independent and direct specialized education; should not be confused with a medical specialty, which depends on previous general training). A midwife is a professional in the field of midwifery.

Terminologies Used in Midwifery

• Obstetrics
  Obstetrics is the branch of medicine that focuses on pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Obstetrics is a medical specialty that is coupled with gynecology to form the discipline known as obstetrics and gynecology.
• Neonatology
  Neonatology is a specialization of pediatrics that focuses on the medical care of newborn infants, particularly those who are sick or premature. It is a hospital-based specialty that is most commonly found in neonatal critical care units (NICUs).
• Reproduction
  The process of producing a fully-fledged offspring of its kind.
• Genetics
  The study of genes, genetic diversity, and heredity in living creatures is known as genetics. It is commonly considered a branch of biology, but it connects with many other life sciences and is closely related to the study of information systems.
• Gestation
  It denotes pregnancy. A normal pregnancy lasts 280 days, or 40 weeks, or 9 calendar months and 7 days.
• Gestational age
  It is the length of gestation measured from the first day of the last menstrual period. Gestational age is measured in completed days or weeks.
• Trimester
  Pregnancy lasts three months.
• First trimester
  It is a 12-week period beginning on the first day of the last menstrual period.
• Second trimester
  The second trimester of pregnancy lasts from weeks 13 to 28.
• Third trimester
  It is the third three months between 29 and 40 weeks.
• Labor
  Childbirth, often known as labor and delivery, is the expulsion of one or more newborn infants from a woman's uterus at the end of a pregnancy.
• Natal
  Denotes birth.
• Antenatal or Prenatal
  Prenatal development, also known as prenatal development, refers to the process by which a human embryo and subsequent fetus (or fetus) develop during pregnancy, from conception until birth. The phrases fetal development and embryology are frequently used interchangeably.
• Perinatal
  The perinatal phase (from Greek peri, "around, surrounding," and Latin nasci, "to be born") is defined as "the time immediately preceding birth." It is considered from 22 completed weeks (154 days) of gestation (the time when the birth weight is generally 500 g) to 7 completed days after birth in industrialized countries and at institutions where specialist neonatal care is provided. In many underdeveloped countries, the beginning of this era is considered to be 28 weeks of gestation completed (or a weight of more than 1000 g).
• Gravida
  It is a pregnant state, regardless of its duration.
• Para
  The number of births after 20 weeks is referred to as parity (including viable and non-viable; i.e., stillbirths).
• Primigravidae
  A "primigravida" is a woman who is pregnant for the first time or has previously been pregnant.
• Multigravidae
  A woman who has been pregnant more than once is known as a "multigravida" or "secundigravida."
• Nulliparous
  A woman who has never been pregnant is referred to as a "nulligravida."
• Birth
  The act or process of bearing or bringing forth progeny is known as birth, sometimes known as parturition. Hormones make the muscular walls of the uterus contract, discharging the fetus at a developmental stage when it is ready to feed and breathe in mammals.
• Live Birth
  Exits the maternal body and then exhibits any evidence of life, such as voluntary movement, heartbeat, or umbilical cord pulsation, for however brief a period of time and regardless of whether the umbilical cord or placenta is intact.
• Abortion
  Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by removing a fetus or embryo before it is able to live outside of the uterus.
• Embryo
  An embryo is a multicellular diploid eukaryote in its early stages of development.
• Fetus
  It is an intrauterine infant born between 9 and 40 weeks of pregnancy.
• Immature fetus
  500gm or less, in less than 28 weeks
• Premature fetus
  28 weeks until less than 37 weeks completed
• Term
  37 completed weeks to fewer than 42 completed weeks of pregnancy (259-293 days).
• Preterm
  Preterm birth, also known as premature birth, occurs when a baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation.
• Post-term
  It is a pregnancy of 42 weeks or longer.
• Birth weight
  A baby's birth weight is its body weight at birth.
• Birth time
  In an hour and a minute, the baby is completely expelled from the delivery canal.
• Low birth weight
  Low birth weight (LBW) is defined as a liveborn infant with a birth weight of less than 2,500 g (5 pounds 8 ounces), independent of gestational age.
• Intrauterine growth retardation
  Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), also known as "intrauterine growth limitation," refers to a fetus's inadequate growth while in the mother's womb during pregnancy.

References

• Bennett, V.R.et al (ed), 1999, Myles textbook for midwifery, 13th edition, Churchill Livingstone. Harcourt Brace and a company limited.
• Ghai, O.p., et al 2000. Ghai’s essential pediatrics. Fifth edition, Interprint. A-16, Naraina II, New Delhi
• Jones, D.L., 1973, Fundamentals of obstetrics and gynecology Volume 1, Obstetrics, reprint first edition, Derek Llewellyn Jone, 1969.
• Tuitui R. 2002, A textbook of Midwifery A (Antenatal), 3rd edition, Vidyarthi Pustak Bhandari (Publisher and Distributor), Bhotahity, Kathmandu