A substance made up of lipids and proteins that is secreted into the alveoli of the lungs around 27 weeks until around 36 weeks of pregnancy. It provides a lubricant to help prevent alveoli collapse and reduces surface tension within the alveoli meaning it is much easier for the newborn to initially inflate their lungs [...]

Also referred to as SFH, this is the distance between the fundus (the top of the uterus) and the pubic symphysis (the cartilage in the centre of your pubic bone). It is commonly measured from 24 weeks of pregnancy and is expected to be within 2cm of your current gestation. For example, at 24 weeks [...]

The outer most layer of the placenta where the exchange of nutrients, oxygen, and waster products takes place between mother and baby.

An examination performed by a midwife or doctor to determine the position, length, texture, and dilation of the cervix, as well as determining the position of baby, whether waters have broken, and how far into the birth canal baby is.

The widening of blood vessels in the body caused by a relaxation of the smooth muscle surrounding the blood vessels.

Often known simply as vernix, this is a white substance that covers babies in utero from around 20 weeks of pregnancy. It protects their skin from drying out in the amniotic fluid.

Made up of two arteries and a vein wrapped in Wharton’s jelly and encased in the amnion, the umbilical cord connects the foetus to placenta, transporting all the nutrients and oxygen they need into their body, and taking away the waste products to be passed into the maternal blood stream.

The outer layer, or cell mass, of the blastocyst (definition link). This goes on to form the placenta (definition link), and chorion (definition link).

This is what is formed when the ovum and the sperm fuse, then dividing to become a blastocyst.

Roughly the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This is calculated from the first day of your last period so in weeks 1 and 2 of your pregnancy you aren’t actually pregnant. Ovulation usually happens around day 14 of your cycle, so by the time you miss a period you will be around 4 weeks pregnant, [...]