Labor and Delivery (L&D) Glossary
You learn a lot of new information during pregnancy, especially about labor and delivery (commonly called L&D)! If you hear a word you don’t know, you should always feel welcome to ask a member of your care team to explain.
You can also read about some common words and concepts related to labor and delivery below.
Amniotomy (Breaking the Water)
This is when the care team breaks your water on purpose. A small hook is used to make a small opening in the bag of water around the baby.
Why Is It Done?
Amniotomy can help:
- Labor move along (progress)
- With other medical treatments, like checking the baby’s heartbeat or measuring how strong contractions are
What Will I Feel?
- You will feel a warm gush, but it should not hurt.
- You will keep feeling water leaking out.
- Your contractions may feel stronger after the water is broken.
Betamethasone
Betamethasone is a steroid medicine given as a shot during pregnancy to help a baby’s lungs grow and get stronger. It is given when there is a chance of preterm birth, because it can help your baby if they are born early.
Cerclage
A cerclage is a stitch placed through the cervix to help keep it closed during pregnancy.
Why Is It Recommended?
Your doctor may recommend a cerclage if:
- Your cervix is shorter than expected early in pregnancy
- You had a past pregnancy with early opening of the cervix
- You have signs that your cervix may not stay closed on its own
Benefits
- Helps lower the chance of preterm birth
- Supports the cervix so it can stay closed as the baby grows
Risks
Potential risks of a cerclage include:
- Cramping or spotting after the procedure
- Infection, although this is rare
- Needing to have the stitch removed early if you go into labor or have heavy bleeding
Forceps
Forceps are smooth, curved metal tools used to guide the baby out during birth. Your care team will use forceps only when they are the safest option for you and your baby.
Why Forceps May Be Recommended
Your doctor may want to use forceps if:
- You have been pushing for a long time and need help
- You or your baby show signs of stress, and birth needs to move faster
Benefits
Forceps can:
- Help you avoid a C-section
- Help bring the baby out more quickly if needed
- Be useful when the baby’s head needs help turning or guiding
Risks
Potential risks of forceps include:
- Small marks or swelling on the baby’s head or face, which usually go away
- Vaginal or perineal tears for the birthing person
- Rarely, risk of injury to the baby or parent
Intraamniotic Infection (Infection During Labor)
An intraamniotic infection means there may be an infection in the uterus or in the fluid around your baby during labor. This is one potential cause of preterm birth.
What Might I Feel?
If you have an infection during labor, you might feel:
- Fever
- Fast heartbeat
- Baby’s heartbeat beating faster than usual
- Pain in your belly
- Bad-smelling vaginal discharge
How Common Is It?
One to five percent (between 1 and 5 out of 100) of people will have a fever during labor.
What Causes It?
An infection during labor may be caused by:
- A vaginal infection or a sexually transmitted disease
- Water breaking but labor has not started
- Having many vaginal exams after your water breaks
Sometimes we do not know why you get an infection during labor.
What Happens if I Have an Infection During Labor?
If you have an infection, your care team will:
- Take blood tests
- Give you antibiotics
- Give you acetaminophen (Tylenol®) to help lower fever
- Watch your baby’s heartbeat and your contractions closely
- Sometimes, give you medicine like pitocin (see the entry for pitocin below) to help your baby be born more quickly
After birth, if you had an infection in labor, your baby will be checked for infection too. Some babies may need an IV and antibiotics after they are born.
Intravenous (IV) Catheter
An IV is a small plastic tube (catheter) put into a vein, usually in your hand or arm. You can get fluids or medicine during labor or after birth with an IV.
If You Need an IV
- A nurse will clean your skin.
- A tourniquet (a latex strap) will be placed tightly around your arm to help the nurse find a vein.
- You will feel a quick poke as the needle goes in.
- The needle will be taken out, and a small tube will stay in the vein.
- A small amount of blood will be collected for common tests done for everyone giving birth.
You should know that it may take more than one try to get the IV placed.
If your pregnancy is high risk, having an IV is strongly recommended during labor and birth.
If your pregnancy is low risk, talk with your care team to decide if you need one during labor and birth.
Magnesium Sulfate
Magnesium sulfate is a medicine that helps to prevent seizures in people with high blood pressure or preeclampsia in pregnancy. It is also used to protect the baby’s brain if birth may happen early.
It is given through an IV, and you will be closely watched and have extra checks with your care team while it is running. If you get IV magnesium sulfate, we will ask you not to eat or drink.
Operative Vaginal Delivery
Sometimes, your care team may recommend using tools to help the baby be born quickly. This may be a vacuum cup or forceps.
These are used only when needed in an emergency. About two to five percent (between 2 and 5 people out of 100) will have an operative vaginal birth.
Pitocin
Pitocin is a medicine that helps the uterus tighten, or contract. It acts like oxytocin, the natural hormone your body makes to help start labor, so it can start labor or make your contractions stronger. It is also given after birth to protect you from bleeding too much (hemorrhage).
It is given through an IV. The care team will start with a low dose and increase the dose until your contractions are regular and strong. The goal is to give the right amount of medicine to help you give birth safely.
Extra Checks
If you get pitocin, your care team will check your baby’s heartbeat and how often you have contractions with monitors you wear all the time. It is still safe to drink if you are getting pitocin, but you will be asked not to eat food.
Sepsis
Sepsis is a serious infection that spreads through the blood. It happens when the body’s response to infection starts to harm its own organs and tissues.
If infections during pregnancy, labor, or after birth are not treated, you are at risk for sepsis.
Sepsis needs quick treatment with antibiotics and fluids. If it’s treated early, most people recover well. If it’s not treated, it can become life-threatening.
Vacuum
A vacuum is a small, soft suction cup placed on the baby’s head to help guide the baby out during birth. Suction helps pull the baby while you push.
Why It May Be Recommended
Your care team may recommend a vacuum if:
- You have been pushing for a long time and need extra help for your baby to be born
- You or your baby show signs of stress and birth needs to move faster
- The baby is low in the birth canal but needs help coming out
Benefits
Vacuum can help you:
- Avoid a C-section
- Have a lower chance of tearing than if your care team uses forceps
Risks
Potential risks of using suction include:
- Swelling or bruising on the baby’s head that usually fades in a few days
- Possible tears or soreness for the birthing person
- Sometimes doesn’t work, so a C-section is still needed
Vacuum tools are used with care and only when they are the safest way to help you and your baby.
Preparing For Birth
