Angelversary: Birthday or anniversary of death of an angel baby.
Amniocentesis: A sampling of amniotic fluid through a needle inserted into the uterus to screen for fetal chromosomal abnormalities.
Amniotic Fluid: The fluid surrounding the baby in the womb.
Blighted Ovum: A blighted ovum happens when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine wall, but the embryo does not develop.
Chemical Pregnancy: A fertilized egg does not implant in the uterus resulting in an early miscarriage.
Conception Age: The age of the baby from the date of conception.
Cremains: Abbreviation for cremated remains.
Dilation & Curettage (D&C): In this procedure the baby, placenta, and other tissue are removed with a curette instrument and/or vacuum aspiration. This can also be used after the baby has been delivered to clean out any additional tissue in the uterus. This is most commonly done in the first trimester.
Dilation & Evacuation (D&E): The patient’s cervix is dilated prior to the procedure using laminaria. In this procedure, the baby is removed with a curette instrument. The placenta and other tissue are removed by curette and/or vacuum aspiration. This can also be used after the baby has been delivered to clean out any additional tissue in the uterus. This is most commonly done in the second trimester.
Ectopic Pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy defines the situation where an embryo attaches outside of the uterus.
Embryo: An unborn baby prior to 8 weeks after conception.
Fetal Death: Fetal death refers to the spontaneous intrauterine death of a fetus at any time during pregnancy. Fetal Death later in pregnancy is also referred to as stillbirth.
Fetus: An unborn baby between 8 weeks after conception and birth.
First Trimester: Conception through 13 weeks of gestation.
Gestational Age: The age of the baby from the first day of the woman’s last menstrual period. Usually 2 weeks greater than conception age.
Intrauterine Fetal Death: Another term for stillbirth.
L&D: Abbreviation for labor and delivery.
MaterniT21 Test: Detects fetal abnormalities in chromosomes 13, 18, and 21 and can also detect the presence of the X and Y chromosomes (Can tell you if it is a boy or girl).
Maternal Fetal Medicine: High risk obstetric care.
Miscarriage: The natural end of a pregnancy at a stage where the baby (embryo or fetus) dies at a gestation prior to 20 weeks.
Molar Pregnancy: A molar pregnancy starts when an egg is fertilized, but instead of a normal, viable pregnancy resulting, the placenta develops into an abnormal mass of cysts.
Neonatal Death: A neonatal death is one that occurs in the first 28 days after birth.
Nuchal translucency (NT) scan: Detects chromosomal abnormalities in a fetus.
Palliative Care: Specialized medical care for people with serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.
Perinatal Death: The perinatal period commences at 22 weeks of gestation, and ends seven completed days after birth. Perinatal death defines the death of a baby within that time frame.
Rainbow Baby: A “rainbow baby” is a baby that is born following a miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, or infant loss. In the real world, a beautiful and bright rainbow follows a storm, and gives hope of things getting better.
Saline Submersion Bath: The technique in which the baby is placed in saline solution. This is to protect the integrity of the baby’s skin, by placing him or her in a womb-like environment.
Second Trimester: 14 weeks through 26 weeks of gestation.
Stillbirth: The natural end of a pregnancy where the baby (fetus) dies at a gestation of 20 weeks or greater.
Third Trimester: 27 weeks through 40 weeks gestation.
TTC: Abbreviation for “trying to conceive.”
TTCAL: Abbreviation for “trying to conceive after loss.
Ultrasound: Medical technique that uses sound waves to determine growth and anatomy of the fetus.
Urn: A vessel in which cremated remains are placed.
Vault: A vault is a protective container in which the casket is placed to provide additional protection.