Farewell To The East End

the mother’s pelvis. The anterior presentation is the most favourable for the baby to adopt for a normal delivery.
    Asphixia pallida . A newborn baby that has become very pale (grey/white) because there is no attempt to breathe and the heartbeat has become dangerously slow.
    Atelectasis . An incomplete expansion of lobules (clusters of alveoli) or lung segments may result in partial or complete lung collapse. The collapsed tissue, unable to perform gas exchange, allows unoxygenated blood to pass through it unchanged, producing hypoxemia (deficient oxygenation of the blood). Atelectasis can be present at birth (incomplete expansion of the lungs), or during adulthood (from a collapsed lung). Prognosis depends on prompt removal of any airway obstruction, relief of hypoxia, and re-expansion of the collapsed lobule(s) or lung(s).

    b.d. The medical shorthand used as an instruction on prescriptions to mean twice a day. From the Latin bis die .

    Cervix . The cervix is the neck of the womb or uterus.
    Caesarean section . An operation to deliver a baby through an incision in the mother’s abdomen
    Chloral hydrate . Chloral hydrate was a mild sedative and analgesic used in the early stages of labour. The drug was given as a drink with either water and glucose or fruit juice. Chloral hydrate is an irritant to the stomach and often caused vomiting, so is no longer used.
    Contraction . A contraction is the intermittent tightening of the muscles of the uterus (womb) which are painful during labour.
    Cord presentation . The cord is palpable at cervix through the intact membranes.
    Crown . The top of the baby’s head, usually the first part of the head to emerge. When the top of the head emerges it is said to crown.
    Crowned . When the widest diameter of the baby’s head is at the vaginal opening during delivery the head is said to have ‘crowned’.
    Curette . A surgical instrument that comes in different sizes and shapes that is used to scrape away unhealthy or unwanted tissue.

    D and C . Dilatation and curettage (D and C) is an operation to remove any pieces of placenta or membrane from the uterus to prevent further bleeding or infection.
    Dates . The date that the baby is due.

    Eclampsia . Eclampsia is a rare and severe consequence of pre-eclampsia. It is characterised by convulsions and is an infrequent cause of death of a mother and unborn baby.
    Ergometrine . Ergometrine is an oxytocic drug which makes the muscle of the uterus contract after delivery.
    Eve’s rocking . An outdated method of resuscitation. Chest compressions are more effective and are used with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
    External Cephalic Version (ECV) . Rotating the unborn baby or foetus into a position more favourable for a normal delivery.
    Exsanguinate . Extensive blood loss. Possibly fatal.

    First stage of labour . The first stage of labour is from the start of regular painful contractions until the cervix (neck of the womb) is fully open.
    Forceps . Forceps are used to gently hold tissue during an operation or surgical procedures.
    Full term . The length of a pregnancy is nine months (forty weeks). Full term is considered to be thirty-eight to forty-two weeks of pregnancy.
    Fundus . The top of the uterus.

    Gamgee . Absorbent tissue.
    Gas and air machine . Gas and air was a popular form of pain relief for labour. The air has now been exchanged for oxygen, but the term ‘gas and air’ is still used. The ‘gas’ too has changed over the years: the ‘gas’ in current use is nitrous oxide.
    Gestation . The gestation is the number of weeks of pregnancy.
    Gluteous muscle . The gluteous or gleuteous maximus muscle is the large muscle in the bottom.

    Higginson’s syringe . A type of flexible syringe with a long nozzle usually used to administer enemas.

    IM . Intra-muscular or into the muscle.
    IV . Intra-venous or intra-venous infusion may be more commonly known as a drip (in this case blood).

    Lobeline . A respiratory stimulant.
    Left side . Positioning women on their left side for delivery was popular for a while. Women are now encouraged to choose the position for delivery that is most comfortable for them. The left side or left lateral position is rarely used.
    Menorrhagia . Excessive menstrual blood flow.

    Nurse . Title of nurse is now rarely used for or by midwives. Midwifery is an entirely separate profession. Many midwives were trained as nurses, but this dual qualification is now less common.

    Obstetric forceps . Forceps used