Glossary
Use the glossary below to find clear, straightforward definitions of terms related to pregnancy and delivery. Click on one of the letters below to browse alphabetically, and follow links to learn more: we've cross-referenced all defined terms.
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I

Incompetent cervix - A condition in which a woman's cervix is weak and opens prematurely -- often during the second trimester -- resulting in delivery of a premature infant. The weak cervix is reinforced with a suture that sews the cervix shut.

Incontinence - Uncontrolled urination or defecation. Urinary incontinence late in pregnancy is not uncommon, due to the expanding uterus' pressure on the bladder.

Induction - The artificial starting of labor, usually through one or more of the following methods: administration of prostaglandins, administration of Pitocin (synthetic oxytocin), or artificial rupture of the amniotic sac, also known as stripping the membranes.

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