ABCs of pregnancy: P is for…

And P is also for:

Pelvic-floor: This is the part of the body where your urethra, vagina and rectum are located. When you are encouraged to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles – that’s what the Kegel exercises do.

Perineum: You may hear the term “peri-care” if you are in the hospital after you give birth. That’s nurse-speak for cleaning the perineal area, the area between the vagina and anus. This is where – if you have one – an episiotomy is done.

Placenta: This is the tissue that has provided nourishment to your baby and also eliminated your baby’s waste. It’s connected to the uterus and the umbical cord.

Placenta previa: Occasionally, when the placenta forms in the uterus, it doesn’t attach near the top as it should, but lower down, perhaps covering the cervix, the exit for the baby. Depending on how much of the cervix is covered, the baby may need to be delivered by Cesarean section.

Preeclampsia: High blood pressure, swelling (called edema) and abnormal kidney function is called preeclampsia, a condition that only happens during pregnancy. If it is not treated and becomes worse, it can develop into eclampsia, which can be fatal.

Premature baby: Although the usual length of a human pregnancy is 38 to 42 weeks, some are born early. A baby born before 37 weeks is considered to be premature.

Preterm labor: Just as a baby is premature before 37 weeks, labor that starts after 20 weeks but before the end of the 37th week is considered to be preterm labor.

Prolapsed cord: A frightening complication of deliver is when part of the umbilical cord slips out of the birth canal before the baby. Then, when the baby is delivered, he or she can put pressure on the cord, cutting off the oxygen supply.