Birth plan - A written description of what the expectant parents would like to include and what they'd like to avoid for labor and the birth of their child. A birth plan might mention preferences about walking during labor, locale of the delivery, use of camera/video, pain medication, etc., and may be written with the help of a woman's health care provider.
Blastocyst - The fluid-filled cluster of cells formed soon after conception that multiplies rapidly and settles in the uterus where it divides into the placenta and the fetus.
Bloody show - The thicker, blood-tinged vaginal discharge that appears when the mucus plug is expelled. It may signal impending laobr.
Bradley method - An approach to childbirth (also known as partner-coached or husband-coached childbirth) in which the woman's partner focuses on supporting her in various ways during labor and delivery. The method emphasizes an extremely natural approach with few or no drugs.
Bilirubin - The product of the breakdown of hemoglobin formed in the liver of the baby.
Biophysical Profile - An assessment of fetal heart rate, fetal breathing, fetal body movement, fetal muscle tone and the amount of amniotic fluid. Heartrate is determined by the nonstress test. Ultrasound is used to measure the other factors.
Breech presentation - When the fetus is positioned feet down, one leg extended, one knee flexed, (called a footling breech) or buttocks down (called a frank breech) late in pregnancy. If a baby cannot be turned so the head is down, he or she must often be delivered by cesarean section.
Birthing center - A facility offering a home-like setting for childbirth. Usually a woman labors, delivers, and recovers in the same room. It's designed for women with low-risk pregnancies.