| A | B |
|---|
| breech presentation | a fetal position in which the buttocks or feet present to the cervix |
| crowning | the appearance of the presenting part of the fetus at the vaginal orifice |
| dilatation | stretching of the external os the cervix large enough to allow passage of the fetus |
| effacement | thinning and shortening of the cervix that occurs just prior to dilatation |
| engagement | the entrance of the fetal presenting part into the pelvic strait |
| episiotomy | a surgical incision in the perineum to enalrge the vaginal opening for childbirth |
| Leopold's maneuber | a technique of maual palpation to discover the position and lie of the fetus |
| lie | the relationship between the long axis of the fetus and the long axis of the mother |
| lightening | descent of the fetus into the pelvis about 2 weeks prior to delivery; also called engagement |
| molding | overlapping of the cranial bones or shaping of the fetal head |
| ripening | softening of the cervix |
| station | relationship of the presenting fetal part to the ishcial spines of the pelvis |
| transition | the last phase of the first stage of labour |
| dysfunctional labour | labour that progresses slower than usual |
| dystocia | difficult delivery |
| oxytocin | a hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary |
