You Want to Give Me a What?

As you read more about pregnancy, you’re likely to stumble across dozens of words that you may never have seen before. Here are a few common pregnancy terms and their meanings:

Embryo: The technical term used to describe your baby before he or she is at eight weeks gestation. As soon as you are eight weeks pregnant, your baby is referred to as a “fetus.”

Amniotic Fluid: The fluid that surrounds and cushions your baby in the uterus.

Amniocentesis: A prenatal test, usually done between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. Using a hollow needle inserted into your abdomen, your care provider will collect a sample of your amniotic fluid to be tested for certain genetic or chromosomal conditions, such as Down Syndrome. Many women choose not to have an amniocentesis, as this invasive procedure carries with it a small risk of miscarriage.

Braxton-Hicks: These “practice” contractions can actually start around six weeks of pregnancy, though you probably won’t feel them until mid-pregnancy or later, if ever. They can be uncomfortable and even painful, especially closer to the end of your pregnancy, but as long as they aren’t getting longer, stronger and more consistent, they probably aren’t true labor pains.