Acrocyanosis: bluish color of hands and feed

Acupressure: treatment method that involves massage of points along body’s energy pathways

Acupuncture: treatment that involves therapeutic stimulation along body’s energy pathways

with needles

Apgar scoring: assignment of numbers to an assessment of a newborn @ 1 and 5 minutes after

birth

Areola: pigmented tissue around the nipple

Asphyxia: inadequate O2 that causes unconsciousness, without intervention, death

Atony: lack of muscle tone

Bilirubin: yellow or orange product of the breakdown of hemoglobin

Braxton-hicks contraction: painless, ineffective uterine contractions that occur during late

pregnancy

Cervix: low narrow end of the uterus that contains opening

Circumcision: surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis

Colostrum: white to yellowish fluid that precedes breast milk

Counterpressure: application of pressure to the sacrum during contractions

Cradle cap: infant scalp dermatitis manifesting as THINK YELLOWISH scales

Cyanosis: blue discoloration of skin or mucous membranes due to excessive concentration of

deoxyhemoglobin in blood

Dilation: stretching of the opening of the cervix to accommodate childbirth

Ecchymosis: hemorrhagic spot, or bruise, caused by bleeding under the skin and irregularly

formed in blue, purple, or brown patches

Edema: accumulation of excess fluid

Effacement: thinning and shortening of cervix in preparation for childbirth

Effleurage: light massage or stroking, usually on patient’s abdomen, in rhythm with breathing

during contractions

Engagement: entrance of fetal presenting part into the upper pelvic channel or birth canal