Kuwait MOH Midwife key terms

The first comprehensive maternity appointment where history, baseline observations, blood tests, ultrasound dating and risk assessment are recorded, and an individualized schedule of care is agreed with the woman.

Pregnancy duration estimated from fetal measurements, most accurately crown-rump length in the first trimester, used to date the pregnancy and interpret later growth and screening results.

Gravida counts all pregnancies a woman has had, including the current one; para counts births after 24 weeks or viable gestation, regardless of outcome or number of babies.

A woman who has given birth five or more times at viable gestation. It raises risk of postpartum haemorrhage, malpresentation and uterine rupture, so labour needs closer monitoring.

Assessment of maternal risk factors, blood pressure, proteinuria and, where available, placental biomarkers to identify women needing aspirin prophylaxis and increased surveillance during pregnancy.

A pregnancy-specific disorder of new hypertension after 20 weeks with proteinuria or maternal organ dysfunction, requiring urgent assessment because it can progress to eclampsia and placental abruption.

New-onset generalized tonic-clonic seizures in a woman with pre-eclampsia, without another cause. It is an obstetric emergency requiring airway support, magnesium sulfate and urgent delivery planning.

Haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets occurring in pregnancy, often with pre-eclampsia. It causes epigastric pain, malaise and bleeding risk, and needs urgent obstetric and haematological care.

Glucose intolerance first recognized during pregnancy. It increases risks of macrosomia, shoulder dystocia and neonatal hypoglycaemia, and is managed with diet, activity, glucose monitoring and insulin when needed.

Maternal formation of antibodies against fetal red cells after sensitizing events in a rhesus-negative woman carrying a rhesus-positive fetus, which can cause fetal anaemia and hydrops.

An injection of antibodies given to rhesus-negative women at sensitizing events and after birth of a rhesus-positive baby to prevent maternal antibody formation and protect future pregnancies.

A fetus whose estimated weight or abdominal circumference lies below the tenth centile for gestational age, prompting surveillance for placental insufficiency and consideration of timing of birth.

The period of cervical effacement and slow dilatation before active labour, characterized by irregular painful contractions. Progress is judged individually, and admission decisions consider comfort and risk.

The period from established cervical dilatation, commonly around 5 to 6 cm with regular contractions, through to full dilatation, when progress and fetal wellbeing are assessed regularly.

A structured labour record plotting cervical dilatation, fetal head descent, contractions, fetal heart rate and maternal observations against time to detect slow progress and fetal compromise early.

Intermittent auscultation or continuous cardiotocography used to assess fetal oxygenation during labour by interpreting baseline rate, variability, accelerations and decelerations.

Systematic reading of a fetal heart tracing: baseline rate, variability, accelerations and decelerations, classified as normal, suspicious or pathological to guide escalation of care.

Excessive contraction frequency or duration, often related to oxytocin or prostaglandin use, that can impair placental perfusion and cause fetal hypoxia, requiring dose reduction or tocolysis.

Failure to deliver the shoulders after the head with routine traction, requiring a sequence of manoeuvres, position changes and team escalation to avoid brachial plexus injury and fetal hypoxia.

A fetus that is unusually large for gestational age, commonly estimated above 4 to 4.5 kg, increasing the risk of prolonged labour, shoulder dystocia and perineal trauma.

Bleeding of 500 mL or more after vaginal birth or 1000 mL or more after caesarean, or any bleeding causing haemodynamic instability, managed with uterotonics, resuscitation and cause-directed measures.

Failure of the uterus to contract firmly after birth, the commonest cause of postpartum haemorrhage, treated with uterine massage, uterotonic drugs, bladder emptying and escalation if bleeding continues.

A consumptive clotting disorder triggered by severe haemorrhage, abruption or sepsis, causing widespread bleeding and organ damage, requiring urgent blood component replacement and treatment of the cause.

A drug given intravenously for eclampsia treatment and pre-eclampsia prevention of seizures, and for fetal neuroprotection in preterm birth. Toxicity monitoring includes reflexes, respiration and urine output.

Use of synthetic oxytocin for labour induction or augmentation, or for postpartum haemorrhage prevention and treatment, requiring controlled infusion rates and continuous maternal and fetal observation.

Birth before 37 completed weeks of gestation. It is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, and care includes antenatal steroids, magnesium sulfate neuroprotection and appropriate neonatal support.

Betamethasone or dexamethasone given to women at risk of preterm birth before 34 to 36 weeks to accelerate fetal lung maturity and reduce respiratory distress, intraventricular haemorrhage and neonatal death.

A stepwise approach to a non-breathing or compromised newborn: warmth, positioning, airway clearing, stimulation, ventilation, then chest compressions and drugs if the heart rate remains low.

A rapid structured assessment at one and five minutes after birth scoring heart rate, respiration, tone, reflex response and colour, used to communicate newborn condition and response to resuscitation.

Low blood glucose in the newborn, common in infants of diabetic mothers, preterm or growth-restricted babies, presenting with jitteriness, poor feeding or lethargy and requiring early feeding and monitoring.

Continuous skin-to-skin contact with the mother, with exclusive breastfeeding and close follow-up, used for stable low-birth-weight newborns to improve thermoregulation, feeding and survival.

Feeding an infant only breast milk, without water, formula or other foods, for the first six months, with continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods thereafter.

A family planning method relying on full breastfeeding, no return of menses and less than six months since birth, effective only when all three conditions are met.

Discussion after birth of suitable family planning methods, considering breastfeeding, medical history and timing, so women can choose and start an effective method before discharge.

Infection of the genital tract after birth with fever, pelvic pain, offensive lochia or systemic illness, requiring prompt antibiotics, fluid support and investigation of retained products.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or alcohol-based rub at defined moments of patient contact, the single most effective measure for preventing healthcare-associated infection in maternity units.

Routine infection control practices applied to all patients, including hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, sharps safety and safe waste disposal, to reduce exposure to blood and body fluids.

Immediate first aid after a needlestick or sharp injury, followed by reporting, source assessment and post-exposure prophylaxis or testing according to local protocol and bloodborne virus risk.

A voluntary decision made after receiving understandable information about a procedure's purpose, benefits, risks and alternatives, documented before care or intervention proceeds.

The professional duty to protect a woman's health information and record care accurately, sharing data only with those involved in her care or as required by law.

The structured reporting of clinical incidents or near misses without blame, so that causes are analysed and systems improved to prevent recurrence and protect future patients.