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Glossary of Pregnancy & Labor Terms

Pregnancy is a whole new world for expectant parents - a place filled with jargon and medical procedures, some of which can be quite confusing. Below you will find some common pregnancy and labor terms and their definitions to help you find your way. Have a word you'd like to see here? Let us know.



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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 (1909-1974).


More about Apgar Score:
Article: Apgar Scores

More about Apgar Score:
Article: Baby's First Tests




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