A

Amniotic sac

The fluid-filled sac that holds a fetus in the womb.

Amniotomy

The intentional rupture of the amniotic sac by a doctor or midwife. It is also known as “breaking the water” or “artificial rupture of membrane.”

B

Bishop score

A scoring system, with numbers ranging from 0–13, given to rate the condition or level of the ripening of the cervix.

C

Cervix

The cervix is located at the bottom end of the uterus. It allows blood from a menstrual period and a fetus to pass through the uterus.

P

Pessary

A pessary is a device roughly the size of a tampon. A pessary delivers medicine to prepare the cervix for labor. Once a pessary is inserted into the vagina, it can remain there for 24 hours, slowly releasing the medicine.

U

Uterine contractions

These occur during the final trimester of pregnancy and begin at the top of the uterus and spread down to the cervix.

Updated on March 22, 2023