# Glossary > Plain-language meanings of the pregnancy, birth and gynecology terms used on this site, in English and Arabic, each linked to the page that explains it. Source: https://www.amalkehail.com/en/glossary/ Updated: 2026-10-13 Terms explained The terms used on this site, each in plain words and in both languages, with a link to the page that explains it. Each definition is taken from the page it links to. Reviewed by Dr Amal Kehail on 13 October 2026. Updated: 13 October 2026 ## Pregnancy Anomaly scan الصورة التفصيلية A scan at around 18 to 21 weeks: a detailed look at how the baby is forming and where the placenta lies. [Explained on: Antenatal & Postnatal Care](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/clinical-interests/antenatal-postnatal-care/#tests-and-scans) Antenatal care متابعة الحمل The series of check-ups that runs from early pregnancy to the birth. The initial visit is the longest; at later checks your blood pressure is measured and your urine is tested for protein. [Explained on: Antenatal & Postnatal Care](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/clinical-interests/antenatal-postnatal-care/#routine-check) Dating scan صورة تحديد عمر الحمل A scan at around 11 to 14 weeks that confirms how far along the pregnancy is and how many babies there are. It is often combined with a blood test to screen for Down’s syndrome and some other chromosomal conditions. [Explained on: Antenatal & Postnatal Care](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/clinical-interests/antenatal-postnatal-care/#tests-and-scans) Folic acid حمض الفوليك The manufactured form of folate, a B vitamin found in food. Taken around conception, it lowers the chance of a neural tube defect but does not remove it. [Explained on: Folic acid and vitamin D](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/articles/folic-acid-and-vitamin-d/#why-folic-acid) Gestational diabetes سكري الحمل Raised blood glucose that develops during pregnancy and usually causes no symptoms, so it is found by a test. It usually goes away after the birth but leaves a higher chance of type 2 diabetes in later years. [Explained on: Gestational diabetes](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/articles/gestational-diabetes/#what-it-is) Gestational hypertension ارتفاع ضغط الحمل Raised blood pressure in pregnancy without the other signs of pre-eclampsia. It is watched closely because it can develop into pre-eclampsia. [Explained on: Pre-eclampsia](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/articles/pre-eclampsia-warning-signs/#what-it-is) Glucose tolerance test (OGTT) فحص تحمّل السكر The usual test for gestational diabetes, which takes about two hours. A blood sample is taken, you drink a sweet glucose drink, then wait, without eating, for a second sample two hours later. [Explained on: Gestational diabetes](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/articles/gestational-diabetes/#the-test) High-risk pregnancy الحمل عالي الخطورة A label for pregnancies that need closer attention, because of a health condition, twins, age or something that happened in a previous pregnancy. It describes how carefully care is planned, not how the pregnancy will go. [Explained on: High-Risk Pregnancy](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/clinical-interests/high-risk-pregnancy/#what-it-means) Hyperemesis gravidarum القيء الحملي المفرط The severe form of pregnancy sickness. It begins before 16 weeks, and the nausea or vomiting is bad enough that a woman cannot eat and drink normally or carry on with daily life. [Explained on: Morning sickness](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/articles/morning-sickness/#hyperemesis) Neural tube defect عيب في الأنبوب العصبي A problem in how the baby’s brain and spinal cord form. Spina bifida, where the bones of the spine do not close fully, is one example. [Explained on: Folic acid and vitamin D](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/articles/folic-acid-and-vitamin-d/#why-folic-acid) Placenta praevia المشيمة المنزاحة A placenta that lies low and covers the cervix. With a placenta covering the cervix a vaginal birth is not possible, so it is one of the common reasons for a planned cesarean. [Explained on: Cesarean Section](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/clinical-interests/cesarean-section/#why-a-cesarean) Pre-eclampsia تسمم الحمل High blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy that can affect the kidneys, liver and placenta. It often causes no symptoms at the start, which is why blood pressure is measured and urine tested at every antenatal check. [Explained on: Pre-eclampsia](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/articles/pre-eclampsia-warning-signs/#what-it-is) ## Labour and birth Assisted birth الولادة المساعدة A birth in which a ventouse (a suction cup on the baby’s head) or forceps (curved instruments that fit around the head) is used, and the doctor pulls gently as you push. It makes tearing and heavier bleeding more likely, and you are told about these risks in advance. [Explained on: Normal Delivery](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/clinical-interests/normal-delivery/#preferences-and-changes) Cesarean section الولادة القيصرية An operation in which the baby is born through a cut in the abdomen and the womb. Some are planned during pregnancy; others become necessary once labour has started. [Explained on: Cesarean Section](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/clinical-interests/cesarean-section/) Epidural التخدير فوق الجافية (الإبيدورال) A local anaesthetic given through a fine tube in the lower back, one of the main options for pain relief in labour. It needs continuous monitoring and a drip, may weaken your legs, and can lower blood pressure or cause itching or a raised temperature. [Explained on: Normal Delivery](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/clinical-interests/normal-delivery/#pain-relief) Episiotomy شق العجان A small cut that widens the vaginal opening, made after the area has been numbed; it is repaired with dissolvable stitches afterwards. Like any wound, it can be sore while it heals and can become infected. [Explained on: Normal Delivery](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/clinical-interests/normal-delivery/#preferences-and-changes) Induction of labour تحريض الولادة Starting labour with medical help. For some conditions, guidelines advise that the baby is born a little before the due date, which can mean induction or a planned cesarean. [Explained on: High-Risk Pregnancy](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/clinical-interests/high-risk-pregnancy/#planning-the-birth) Latent phase of labour المرحلة الكامنة The early phase of labour, which can last many hours, especially if you have not given birth before. Many women spend it at home with rest, food and drinks, a warm bath and steady breathing, as long as mother and baby are well. [Explained on: Normal Delivery](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/clinical-interests/normal-delivery/#signs-of-labour) Perineal tear تمزق العجان A tear of the perineum, the area between the vagina and the back passage, which often tears during birth. Many tears involve just the skin; tears into the muscle are repaired under local anaesthetic with dissolvable stitches. [Explained on: Normal Delivery](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/clinical-interests/normal-delivery/#after-the-birth) Spinal or epidural anaesthetic التخدير النصفي The anaesthetic under which most cesareans are done: you stay awake but are numb from the chest down. Each type of anaesthetic has its own side effects and risks, for example a drop in blood pressure or a headache afterwards. [Explained on: Cesarean Section](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/clinical-interests/cesarean-section/#on-the-day) Uterine rupture تمزق الرحم The scar on the womb giving way during labour after a previous cesarean. It is uncommon, but when it happens it is an emergency for both mother and baby. [Explained on: Birth after a cesarean](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/articles/birth-after-a-cesarean/#benefits-and-risks) Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) الولادة المهبلية بعد القيصرية (VBAC) Planning a VBAC means waiting for labour to start and aiming for a vaginal birth after a previous cesarean. Many women who plan a VBAC give birth vaginally; some need a cesarean during labour. [Explained on: Birth after a cesarean](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/articles/birth-after-a-cesarean/#two-options) ## After the birth Baby blues كآبة الأمومة Crying without a clear reason, feeling irritable or on edge, or swinging between joy and tears in the days after a birth. The baby blues are common; they tend to start a few days after the birth and to lift within about two weeks. [Explained on: Baby blues or postnatal depression?](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/articles/baby-blues-or-postnatal-depression/#baby-blues) Postnatal check فحص ما بعد الولادة A check at about 6 to 8 weeks after the birth that looks at your physical and emotional health. It covers bleeding, healing of any tear or cesarean wound, your bladder and bowels, your mood, feeding and contraception. [Explained on: Antenatal & Postnatal Care](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/clinical-interests/antenatal-postnatal-care/#after-birth) Postnatal depression اكتئاب ما بعد الولادة An illness that can start at any point in the weeks or months after birth, sometimes straight on from the baby blues. Low mood or anxiety that goes on beyond about two weeks after the birth, or is getting worse, may be postnatal depression. [Explained on: Baby blues or postnatal depression?](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/articles/baby-blues-or-postnatal-depression/#signs-it-may-be-more) ## Gynecology Adenomyosis العضال الغدي The growth of tissue like the lining of the womb into its muscle wall, often making periods painful as well as heavy. [Explained on: When are periods too heavy?](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/articles/heavy-periods/#possible-causes) Day surgery جراحة اليوم الواحد An operation after which you go home the same day, once you are awake, can drink, pass urine and move about, and your pain is controlled. Whether that is appropriate depends on the operation, the anaesthetic, your health and how you are on the day. [Explained on: Gynecological Surgery](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/clinical-interests/gynecological-surgery/#day-surgery) Endometrial ablation كيّ بطانة الرحم A procedure that destroys the lining of the womb; it is meant for women whose families are complete, as a pregnancy afterwards carries serious risks. It does not stop heavy bleeding in every woman, and its risks include infection and, rarely, injury to the womb. [Explained on: When are periods too heavy?](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/articles/heavy-periods/#treatment-options) Endometriosis بطانة الرحم المهاجرة A long-term condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere, usually in the pelvis. It can cause painful periods, pelvic pain and difficulty conceiving, and often takes time to diagnose. [Explained on: Endometriosis](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/articles/endometriosis/#what-endometriosis-is) Fibroids الأورام الليفية Benign (non-cancerous) lumps of muscle and fibrous tissue that grow in the wall of the womb. They are common, and many women who have them never notice. [Explained on: Fibroids](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/articles/fibroids/#what-fibroids-are) Heavy menstrual bleeding غزارة الدورة الشهرية No measured amount of blood makes a period officially heavy. UK guidance from NICE describes bleeding as heavy when it affects your life physically, socially, emotionally or materially. [Explained on: When are periods too heavy?](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/articles/heavy-periods/#what-counts-as-heavy) Hormonal coil اللولب الهرموني A coil that releases a progestogen inside the womb, thinning the lining, and prevents pregnancy. Irregular spotting is common in the months after fitting; occasionally the coil comes out, and rarely it passes through the wall of the womb. [Explained on: When are periods too heavy?](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/articles/heavy-periods/#treatment-options) Hysterectomy استئصال الرحم An operation that removes the womb: periods stop, and it ends the possibility of pregnancy. It is major surgery, with risks including bleeding, infection, bladder or bowel injury and blood clots. [Explained on: Fibroids](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/articles/fibroids/#procedures-and-risks) Hysteroscopy منظار الرحم A thin telescope is passed through the vagina and cervix into the womb, with no cuts on the abdomen, to look at the lining, take samples and remove polyps or fibroids inside the womb. Complications are uncommon: bleeding, infection and, rarely, a small hole in the wall of the womb. [Explained on: Gynecological Surgery](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/clinical-interests/gynecological-surgery/#how-operations-are-done) Laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) المنظار البطني (جراحة الثقوب) Surgery done under general anaesthetic through small cuts in the abdomen, which is filled with gas so the surgeon can see the pelvis on a screen. Its risks include injury to the bowel, bladder or blood vessels, and sometimes a switch to open surgery part way through. [Explained on: Gynecological Surgery](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/clinical-interests/gynecological-surgery/#how-operations-are-done) Uterine artery embolisation إصمام الشريان الرحمي Through a thin tube in an artery in the groin or wrist, a radiologist blocks the fibroids’ blood supply with tiny particles so they shrink, keeping the womb. Symptoms do not improve in every woman; its risks include infection, discharge and, occasionally, an earlier menopause, and less is known about pregnancy afterwards. [Explained on: Fibroids](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/articles/fibroids/#procedures-and-risks) This page is general information. It does not replace a consultation or advice about your own situation. --- Dr Amal Kehail, Specialist Obstetrics and Gynecology — practises at Al Mousa Day Surgery Center L L C, licensed by DHA, licence DHA-F-0002039 practises at Medcare Women And Child Hospital Br Of Medcare Hospital licensed by DHA, licence DHA-F-0001703 [Legal information](https://www.amalkehail.com/en/legal/)