Vacuum extraction - The use of a suctioning instrument which attaches to the baby's head to help guide it out of the birth canal during delivery.

Varicose veins - Swollen, enlarged, and often painful blood vessels visible through the skin. In pregnancy, varicose veins are caused by pressure from the uterus on the veins, which causes blood to pool there.

VBAC - Acronym for vaginal birth after a cesarean.

Venous thrombosis - A blood clot in a vein,usually in a leg, which can occur during pregnancy, delivery, or during the postpartum period.

Vertex presentation - Head-down position of a fetus.