L Terms

Browse the List of Terms
Sort by :    Default  |  Title  
Labor
The process of expelling the baby and its placenta from the uterus, through the birth canal, and outside the mother's body. Labor is divided ... Read More
Lactation
The secretion of breast milk.
Lactation specialists
Specially trained individuals who help women with lactation. Breastfeeding is a simple and straightforward process in many ways. However, ... Read More
Lamaze
The Lamaze philosophy is that birth is normal, natural, and healthy, and that the birth experience profoundly affects women and their ... Read More
Lanugo
The fine, downy hair that often covers the shoulders, back, forehead, and cheeks of a prematurely born newborn infant. Lanugo is replaced by ... Read More
Laparoscopy
Examination of the abdominal or pelvic organs through a thin, flexible tube. This tube acts much like a telescope that allows the surgeon to ... Read More
Laparotomy
A surgical opening in the abdomen. Exploratory surgery is sometimes called a laparotomy, since at the beginning of the surgery the surgeon ... Read More
Large for gestational age (LGA)
Newborn infant whose weight is greater than the 95th percentile for gestational age (infant weighs more than 95 percent of infants his same ... Read More
Lasix
Diuretic drug that reduces the amount of fluid in the lungs and other tissues. One of the ways it reduces fluid is to increase urine output. ... Read More
Last Menstrual Period (LMP)
A pregnancy's duration is marked in weeks, starting from the first day of a woman's last menstrual period, or LMP. If the menstrual cycle is ... Read More
Lay midwife
A woman without professional training who assists women with labor and delivery. Many of these women have considerable experience, however ... Read More
Layette
A complete outfit of clothing and equipment for a newborn infant.
LDL cholesterol
Lipoproteins, which are combinations of lipids (fats) and proteins, are the form in which lipids are transported in the blood. The ... Read More
Lead wires
Wires that connect the sensors on the baby’s chest to the vital signs monitor. They pick up the electrical signal of the heart and convey it to ... Read More
LEEP
LEEP stands for loop electrosurgical excision procedure. Usually done in the doctor's office on an outpatient basis, LEEP is used to remove ... Read More
Real-mom dispatches from the Baby Zone
watch more videos