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Maternal Wellness Glossary
GLOSSARY OF PREGNANCY, BIRTH, POSTPARTUM & BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH TERMS
by Haven Place Doulas (Boston, MA)
This glossary is a comprehensive resource designed to help families understand the many terms used throughout pregnancy, labor, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, newborn care, and holistic healing. The definitions reflect trauma-informed, culturally grounded doula care with a focus on supporting Black birthing families and reducing disparities in maternal health.
Terms are listed alphabetically for ease of use.
A
Afterbirth Pains
Cramping that occurs after delivery as the uterus contracts back to its pre-pregnancy size. Stronger in parents who’ve given birth before and during breastfeeding due to oxytocin release.
Amniotic Fluid
The protective fluid surrounding the baby in the womb. Helps cushion, regulate temperature, and support fetal movement.
Apgar Score
A newborn assessment done at 1 and 5 minutes after birth to evaluate breathing, heart rate, muscle tone, reflexes, and color.
Advocacy
A core role of doulas: helping clients express their preferences, ask questions, and feel safe and respected in medical settings.
B
Baby Blues
A common emotional shift during the first 1–2 weeks postpartum, marked by mood swings, crying spells, and irritability. Different from postpartum depression.
Basal Body Temperature (BBT)
A fertility tracking method where you monitor slight temperature changes to predict ovulation.
Belly Binding (Bengkung Binding)
A traditional postpartum practice wrapping the abdomen and hips for support, healing, and posture.
Birth Plan
A document outlining your preferences for labor, delivery, newborn care, and postpartum support.
Black Maternal Health
A field addressing racial disparities in pregnancy and birth outcomes among Black birthing people. Includes culturally aligned support, equity advocacy, and awareness of systemic bias.
Braxton Hicks Contractions
Irregular, usually painless “practice” contractions during pregnancy.
C
Cesarean Birth (C-Section)
A surgical birth through incisions in the abdomen and uterus. Can be planned or unplanned.
Cluster Feeding
Periods when a newborn wants to feed very frequently, often in the evenings or during growth spurts.
Colostrum
The thick, nutrient-rich first milk produced before mature milk comes in. Supports immunity and digestion.
Counterpressure
A pain-relief technique used in labor where firm pressure is applied to the lower back or hips.
Cultural Humility
A practice of honoring, respecting, and learning from clients’ cultural identities and experiences — essential for supporting Black birthing families.
D
Diastasis Recti
The separation of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy. Often addressed through core rehab postpartum.
Doula
A trained support professional who provides emotional, physical, and educational care during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Not a medical provider.
Downregulation
A lactation term describing the body’s shift from hormonally driven milk production to supply-and-demand regulation.
E
Engorgement
Fullness and swelling of the breasts when milk first increases in volume.
Early Labor
The first phase of labor where contractions begin and the cervix dilates to about 4–6 cm.
Evidence-Based Care
Information and recommendations grounded in research, not opinion or routine practice.
F
Fetal Positioning
The baby's position in the pelvis. Optimal positioning supports smoother labor progress.
Fourth Trimester
The first 12 weeks postpartum, a time of significant physical and emotional adjustment.
Fundal Massage
A massage of the uterus after birth to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding.
G
Golden Hour
The first hour after birth, offering ideal conditions for bonding and breastfeeding.
Group B Strep (GBS)
A common bacteria tested for during pregnancy. Treated with antibiotics during labor if positive.
H
Hemorrhage
Excessive bleeding after birth requiring medical attention.
Holistic Postpartum Care
Support that includes physical healing, emotional wellness, nutrition, rest, and community-based support systems.
I
Induction
Starting labor using medical or mechanical methods.
Implicit Bias
Unconscious attitudes or beliefs that affect care — a major concern in Black maternal health.
L
Latch
How a baby attaches to the breast. A deep latch prevents pain and supports effective feeding.
Letdown
The release of milk triggered by baby’s sucking or pumping.
Lochia
Postpartum vaginal bleeding lasting several weeks.
Luteal Phase
The second half of the menstrual cycle, beginning after ovulation.
M
Mastitis
A painful inflammation of breast tissue, sometimes with infection.
Matrescence
The emotional, physical, and identity transformation into motherhood.
Meconium
A newborn’s first stool — thick, dark, sticky.
N
Newborn Cues
Body movements and sounds indicating hunger, tiredness, overstimulation, or need for comfort.
Nipple Shield
A breastfeeding tool used temporarily for latch challenges.
O
Oxytocin
A hormone that promotes bonding, contractions, and milk letdown.
P
Pelvic Floor
The group of muscles supporting bladder, uterus, and bowel. Often impacted during pregnancy and birth.
Perineum
The area between the vagina and anus, which may tear during birth or require support.
Placenta Encapsulation
Dehydrating and converting the placenta into capsules believed to support postpartum recovery.
Postpartum Anxiety (PPA)
Excessive worry, fear, or hypervigilance after birth.
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
Persistent sadness, disconnection, or overwhelm lasting beyond the “baby blues.”
R
Rebozo
A traditional woven cloth used for comfort measures, positioning, and labor support.
Rooming In
Keeping baby in the same room as the parent after birth to support bonding and feeding.
S
Safe Sleep
Guidelines to reduce risk of SIDS: baby on back, firm mattress, no blankets or toys.
Skin-to-Skin
Placing baby directly on parent’s chest after birth or during postpartum — regulates temperature, breathing, and bonding.
Spinning Babies
Techniques promoting optimal fetal positioning.
T
TCM Method (Placenta)
Traditional Chinese Method involving steaming prior to dehydration.
TOLAC
Trial of Labor After Cesarean — attempting a vaginal birth after previous C-section.
Tongue-Tie
A restriction under baby’s tongue potentially affecting latch.
U
Umbilical Cord Care
Keeping the cord stump dry and clean until it falls off naturally.
V
VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)
Giving birth vaginally after a previous C-section.
Vernix
A creamy, protective coating on newborn skin.
Village Support
A cultural reference to communal postpartum care, essential in many Black communities.
W
Weathering
A term in Black maternal health describing how chronic stress and racism impact health outcomes.
Witching Hour
Evening fussiness common in newborns.
Womb Wellness
Holistic practices supporting reproductive health, including steaming, herbs, and abdominal therapy.
V
Yoni Steaming
A warming herbal steam practice supporting postpartum healing, cycle regulation, and pelvic wellness.
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