Patients
Maternal-Fetal Glossary
We understand many of the terms you may hear during the course of treatment at the Fetal Care Center of Cincinnati will be unfamiliar, so we have provided this glossary as a ready reference.
If you have any questions, please contact us at 1-888-FETAL59 or 1-888-338-2559, or send email to info@fetalcarecenter.org.
A | B | C | D | E | F |G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
Amniocentesis - A procedure to draw a sample of amniotic fluid which is then analyzed to detect chromosome abnormalities, structural defects and metabolic disorders.
- Amniotic Fluid
- The fluid in which the embryo or fetus is suspended within the womb (the embryonic sac inside the uterus).
B
- Biopsy
- The removal and examination of tissue, cells and fluids from the living body.
C
- Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
- An alternative to amniocentesis to detect chromosomal abnormalities. The CVS can be performed earlier in fetal development than amniocentesis, and thereby allows earlier diagnosis.
- Chromosomes
- Thread-like linear strands of DNA and associated proteins.
- Congenital Defect
- A problem or condition in a human, existing at or dating from birth; acquired during development in the womb (uterus) and not through heredity.
D
- Diagnosis
- The art or act of identifying a disease from its signs and symptoms.
- Diagnostic Fetosocopy
- A minimally-invasive examination of the fetus by a miniature video camera inserted through a small tube.
- Diagnostic Testing
- A variety of tests and procedures performed on a patient to effectively establish a diagnosis. Procedures include laboratory tests, x-rays, ultrasounds and other imaging studies.
E
- ECMO
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation – a type of surgical intervention in which the baby receives support from a heart-lung machine.
- Ex Utero
- Outside of the womb (uterus).
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F
- Fetal Echocardiography
- A high resolution ultrasound test to detect heart abnormalities in the fetus.
- Fetal Abnormality
- A condition detected in the unborn human that is not the normal or average.
- Fetal Medicine
- A well-established and highly sophisticated area of medicine that covers the broad spectrum of conditions potentially treatable before a baby's birth. It includes fetal surgery (surgery performed on the fetus in the womb prior to birth). Fetal medicine has been practiced for more than 20 years. Also referred to as fetology and prenatal pediatrics.
- Fetal Surgeon
- A specialist in fetal surgery.
- Fetal Surgery
- Surgical treatment of the unborn human.
- Fetal Therapy
- Treatment of the unborn human; can be medical and / or surgical.
- Fetologist
- A specialist in fetology.
- Fetology
- A well-established and highly sophisticated area of medicine that covers the broad spectrum of conditions potentially treatable before a baby's birth. It includes fetal surgery (surgery performed on the fetus in the womb prior to birth). Fetology has been practiced for more than 20 years. Also referred to as fetal medicine and prenatal pediatrics.
- Fetus
- A developing human, usually defined as three months after conception to birth. Follows the embryo or embryonic stage.
G
- Genetic Counseling
- Medical education of affected individuals and the general public concerning inherited (genetic) disorders.
- Genetics
- A branch of biology that deals with the heredity and variation of organisms.
H
I
- In Utero
- Relating to being in the womb.
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J
K
L
M
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- A noninvasive diagnostic technique that produces computerized images of internal body tissue and is based on nuclear magnetic resonance of atoms within the body induced by the application of radio waves.
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- The testing and management of high-risk pregnancies; also called perinatology.
N
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the steward of medical and behavioral research for the nation. It is an agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH headquarters are located in Bethesda, Maryland, and the surrounding area. The NIH has more than 18,000 employees on staff. The NIH funds scientific studies at universities and research institutions across the nation, including at the Fetal Care Center of Cincinnati.
- Neonatal
- Relating to or affecting the newborn, especially the human infant during the first month after birth.
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
- An area within a hospital dedicated to the care and treatment of pre-term and critically ill babies.
- Neonate
- A child less than a month old.
- Neonatologist
- A specialist in neonatology.
- Neonatology
- A branch of medicine concerned with the care, development and diseases of newborn infants.
- Nurse Practitioner
- A registered nurse who through advanced training is qualified to assume some of the duties formerly assumed only by a physician.
- Nutritionist
- A specialist in the study of nutrition.
O
- Obstetrician
- A specialist in obstetrics.
- Obstetrics
- A branch of medicine that deals with birth.
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P
- Pediatrician
- A specialist in pediatrics.
- Pediatrics
- A branch of medicine dealing with the development, care and diseases of children.
- Perinatal
- Concerned with or being in the period around the time of birth.
- Perinatologist
- A specialist in perinatology; typically has 2 to 3 years more training than an obstetrician / gynecologist.
- Perinatology
- A branch of medicine concerned with care of high-risk pregnancies. Also called maternal-fetal medicine.
- Postnatal
- Occurring, existing or performed after birth.
- Prenatal
- Occurring, existing or performed before birth.
- Prenatal Pediatrics
- A well-established and highly sophisticated area of medicine that covers the broad spectrum of conditions potentially treatable before a baby's birth. It includes fetal surgery (surgery performed on the fetus in the womb prior to birth). Prenatal Pediatrics has been practiced for more than 20 years. Also referred to as fetology and fetal medicine.
Q
R
- Radiofrequency Ablation
- Also called RFA, uses radio waves to generate heat to solidify tissue or block vessels.
- Radiographer
- A person trained in the use of X-rays; an X-ray technician.
S
- Sonogram
- An image produced by ultrasound.
- Sonographer
- A person trained in the use of ultrasound.
T
U
- Uterus
- An organ in females for containing and nourishing the young during development previous to birth; also called the womb.
- Ultrasound
- A technique involving the formation of a two-dimensional image used for the examination and measurement of internal body structures and the detection of bodily abnormalities.
V
W
X
Y
Z
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Please let us know if this glossary was helpful or if there are other terms and definitions we should include. Use our secure, online contact form.
To request an appointment at the Fetal Care Center of Cincinnati or contact us, please use our secure, online appointment form or call 1-888-338-2559 (1-888-FETAL59).
