Family health A-Z - E

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Also known as: Otitis media

A build up of fluid in the middle ear which can result in earache caused by a bacterial ear infection. Glue ear is a common childhood form of otitis media. See ‘glue ear’.

Also known as: Otitis media

A build up of fluid in the middle ear which can result in earache caused by a bacterial ear infection. Glue ear is a common childhood form of otitis media. See ‘glue ear’.

A special NHS maternity unit to which women with any complications of early pregnancy (up to around week 18) should have access, and which provides practical and emotional support as well as any appropriate counselling and treatment.

A potentially dangerous, but rare condition characterised by one or more convulsions during or immediately after pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia rarely culminates in eclampsia, although eclampsia may, despite the conflicting terminology, precede pre-eclampsia.

A pregnancy that occurs outside the womb, also known as a tubal pregnancy. The fertilised egg develops in the fallopian tube, or sometimes the abdomen. Symptoms, including abdominal pains and minor bleeding, occur in early pregnancy and the condition can, in some cases, be life-threatening if not dealt with promptly.

Non-contagious inflammatory skin condition, often triggered by allergy and characterised by itching, scaling, and/or blistering.

Also known as: Expected date of delivery

The date on which your baby is expected to be born, calculated as exactly 40 weeks from first day of your last period

Also known as: Electroencephalogram

A printed recording of electrical activity in the brain, which can be helpful in studying and diagnosing neurological disorders.

Also known as: Essential Fatty Acids

Long-chain organic acid molecules that must be obtained from the diet and are especially important in pregnancy because of the role they play in a baby’s development. Omega 3 & Omega 6 are two widely-recognised EFAs needed for many bodily functions and processes.

The flattening and thinning of the cervix before dilation. The process is triggered by contractions, and is sometimes referred to as ‘ripening’.

A Caesarean section which has been pre-planned before the expected date of delivery (EDD). This may be because of pelvic disproportion or another known complication of pregnancy.

A printed recording of electrical activity in the brain, which can be helpful in studying and diagnosing neurological disorders.

Also known as: Continuous monitoring

Continuous monitoring keeps track of your baby’s heartbeat for the duration of labour, and is carried out using a piece of equipment called an electronic fetal heart rate monitor.

The name given to the unborn baby from around two weeks after conception to the end of the second month of pregnancy, after which time it is termed a fetus.

Any Caesarean section which has not be pre-booked. This does not mean that the situation is a full-scale emergency in the usual sense of the term.

Inflammation of the brain usually as a result of viral infection

The presence of uterine lining (endometrium) in other pelvic organs, especially the ovaries, characterised by cyst formation, adhesions, and severe menstrual pains. The condition can cause infertility.

Naturally occurring painkillers produced by the body. Sometimes referred to as ‘feelgood hormones’.

The introduction of fluid into the rectum to induce a bowel movement

The point at which a baby’s head drops, head-down, into the pelvis in readiness for birth. This usually happens at around week 36 of pregnancy and is also known as ‘lightening’.

Over-fullness of the breasts in newly nursing mothers which can feel hot, painful and extremely uncomfortable. The nipples may flatten out because of the degree to which the breasts are stretched, making breastfeeding difficult. In this case, expressing a little milk very gently by hand is the most practical solution. Engorgement usually only occurs shortly after the milk first comes in, and eases off as breastfeeding hormones settle down.

Also known as: Gas and air

A mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide, sometimes known as Entonox, which can be inhaled during labour for pain relief.

Also known as: Nocturnal enuresis

Bedwetting that occurs during the night, when a child is unaware that it is happening or has happened. A common occurrence during toilet training as the child gradually learns bladder control, and isolated incidents are not uncommon up to the age of eight.

Also known as: Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit

A special NHS maternity unit to which women with any complications of early pregnancy (up to around week 18) should have access, and which provides practical and emotional support as well as any appropriate counselling and treatment.

The term epidural is short here for epidural anesthesia, a form of local anaesthetic injected via a cather into the epidural space, which is inside the spinal canal. The injection effectively numbs the pelvis and lower body (except in the case of a ‘mobile epidural’, where sensation remains in the legs) and leaves a woman pain-free throughout labour. It is generally timed to wear off for the second stage of labour – or topped up if an emergency Caesarean section becomes necessary.

Disorder of the central nervous system characterised by episodes of loss of consciousness and convulsions, varying in severity and frequency.

A surgical incision or tear from the back of the vagina towards the anus to enlarge the vaginal opening during birth.

Also known as: Cervical erosion

A change in the cells of the cervix, caused by pregnancy hormones, which can result in slight bleeding, especially after sex.

Long-chain organic acid molecules that must be obtained from the diet and are especially important in pregnancy because of the role they play in a baby’s development. Omega 3 & Omega 6 are two widely-recognised EFAs needed for many bodily functions and processes.

The tube connecting the middle ear and the back of the mouth.

An umbilical hernia at birth in which some abdominal organs push into the umbilical cord and may protrude externally. Corrective surgery is urgent.

The date on which your baby is expected to be born, calculated as exactly 40 weeks from first day of your last period

Any method of extract milk from the breasts without actually breastfeeding. Expressing can be done by hand, manually-operated pump or electric pump.

A procedure used to turn a baby from breech position to head-down involving the external palpation of the mother’s abdomen. It carries around a 50% success rate.