NNC NLEM Midwifery key terms

The first comprehensive pregnancy assessment, ideally before 12 weeks, recording history, blood pressure, weight, blood and urine tests, and expected date of delivery so risk can be identified early.

Calculating how far a pregnancy has progressed, usually from the first day of the last menstrual period and confirmed by early ultrasound, to time screening, growth checks, and expected birth date.

Measuring in centimetres the distance from the pubic symphysis to the top of the uterus; between roughly 20 and 36 weeks it should approximate gestational age in weeks and flags growth problems.

A fetus whose estimated weight or abdominal measurement falls below the 10th centile for its gestational age, prompting closer surveillance for placental insufficiency and stillbirth risk.

Tests such as cardiotocography, biophysical profile, and umbilical artery Doppler used in later pregnancy to confirm fetal wellbeing and guide timing of birth when risk is raised.

A pregnancy-specific disorder of new hypertension after 20 weeks with proteinuria or maternal organ dysfunction, requiring close monitoring because it can progress to seizures, stroke, or placental abruption.

Systolic blood pressure of 160 mmHg or more, or diastolic of 110 mmHg or more, needing urgent antihypertensive treatment to reduce the risk of maternal stroke.

An intravenous or intramuscular medicine given to prevent or treat eclamptic seizures; the midwife monitors respirations, reflexes, urine output, and for signs of toxicity, with calcium gluconate as antidote.

The period of regular painful contractions with progressive cervical change up to about 5 cm dilatation, during which admission may be delayed and comfort measures emphasised.

The phase from about 5 cm cervical dilatation to full dilatation, judged by regular contractions, progressive dilatation, and descent, with labour progress plotted on a partograph.

A single-sheet 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.

Abnormally slow or arrested labour caused by inefficient uterine action, fetal malposition, or a mismatch between fetal size and the pelvis, requiring reassessment and often referral.

Labour in which the fetus cannot descend despite strong contractions because of a mechanical barrier, risking uterine rupture, fistula, sepsis, and fetal death if not relieved by surgery.

Reading the fetal heart rate trace for baseline rate, variability, accelerations, and decelerations so that reassuring, suspicious, or pathological patterns are classified and acted on correctly.

Transient falls in fetal heart rate below the baseline; their timing relative to contractions helps distinguish head compression, cord compression, and uteroplacental insufficiency as causes.

Simple measures during labour, such as turning the woman onto her side, stopping oxytocin, giving intravenous fluids, and correcting hypotension, used to improve placental blood flow when the trace is abnormal.

A package using a prophylactic uterotonic, controlled cord traction, and uterine massage to speed placental delivery and reduce blood loss after birth.

Bleeding of 500 mL or more after vaginal birth, or 1000 mL or more after caesarean, or any blood loss causing haemodynamic compromise; a leading cause of maternal death.

Failure of the uterus to contract firmly after placental delivery, the commonest cause of postpartum haemorrhage, treated with uterine massage, uterotonics, and rapid escalation.

Infection of the genital tract arising within 42 days of birth, with fever, pelvic pain, or offensive lochia, requiring prompt antibiotics and monitoring for deterioration.

Continuous skin-to-skin contact with the mother plus exclusive breastfeeding and close follow-up, used especially for low-birth-weight infants to improve temperature control, feeding, and survival.

Keeping the newborn warm through drying, skin contact, hats, and warmed environments, because heat loss causes cold stress, poor feeding, and increased oxygen demand.

Low blood glucose in the first days of life, more likely in preterm, small, or infant-of-diabetic-mother babies, presenting with jitteriness, poor feeding, or lethargy and needing early feeding and testing.

The ordered steps after birth, from drying and stimulation through airway positioning, ventilation, and chest compressions, with reassessment at each stage and oxygen used as indicated.

Assisted breaths given with a self-inflating bag and mask when a newborn does not breathe adequately; the most effective single intervention for a non-breathing baby.

A 0-2 score for heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflex response, and colour assigned at one and five minutes, used to describe condition and response to resuscitation, not to diagnose asphyxia.

Giving an infant only breast milk, with no water, formula, or other foods, for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding with complementary foods.

How the mother holds the baby and how the baby takes the breast; good attachment with a wide mouth and chin to breast prevents nipple trauma and supports effective milk transfer.

Painful overfilling of the breasts, and its infective complication with fever and a red tender area, managed by effective milk removal, support, analgesia, and antibiotics when indicated.

A family planning approach relying on exclusive breastfeeding, no return of menses, and a baby under six months, which gives high protection only while all three conditions hold.

A structured, non-judgemental discussion matching a client's health status, preferences, and fertility intentions to suitable methods, including emergency contraception and long-acting options.

A person's voluntary agreement after receiving understandable information about the procedure, its benefits, risks, and alternatives, documented before care or research participation proceeds.

The duty to protect personal health information and share it only with those who need it for care, unless the client consents or a legal exception applies.

The range of activities a midwife is educated, authorised, and competent to perform, which varies by jurisdiction and must not be exceeded without referral or supervision.

Structured support in which an experienced midwife guides a student or junior colleague through reflection, feedback, and observed practice to build competence and safe decision-making.

The five defined points for cleaning hands during patient care, including before contact, before aseptic tasks, after body fluid exposure, after contact, and after touching surroundings.

Infection of a caesarean or perineal wound with redness, discharge, pain, or fever, prevented by aseptic technique and treated with wound care and antibiotics.

Checking clinical response and, for narrow-margin medicines, blood levels or toxicity signs so doses are adjusted safely in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Recording and reviewing mistakes or near misses in prescribing, dispensing, or giving medicines so causes are corrected and patient safety improves without blame.

Measuring care against agreed standards, feeding results back, and testing changes so that outcomes such as infection rates or referral times measurably improve.

Combining the best available research evidence, clinical expertise, and the woman's values and preferences when making decisions about her care.