Abstinence: The practice of refraining from sexual activity
Cervical Cap: A small cup made of silicone or latex that is inserted into the vagina and placed over the cervix before intercourse to help prevent ejaculate from entering the uterus, protecting against pregnancy
Chronic Hypertension: A condition of high blood pressure present before conception or first recognized before 20 weeks of pregnancy. In women with a previous pregnancy complicated by gestational hypertension, high blood pressure that persists 12 or more weeks after delivery is also considered chronic hypertension.
Condom: Barrier method made of material, such as latex, that helps prevent ejaculate from entering the vagina/anal area, protecting against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections
Contraceptive Implant: One or more small rods that are implanted under the skin of a woman’s upper arm and release a steady dose of hormones, preventing pregnancy
Diaphragm: A dome-shaped rubber disk that is inserted into the vagina before intercourse to cover the cervix to help prevent ejaculate from entering the uterus, protecting against pregnancy
Eclampsia: An acute and life-threatening complication of pregnancy characterized by the appearance of seizures, usually in a patient who had developed preeclampsia; see definition for preeclampsia below
Emergency Contraception (ECP, “morning after pill”): Pills that prevent pregnancy (if taken soon after intercourse) by delaying or stopping ovulation, blocking fertilization, or preventing implantation of the ovum. ECPs do not interrupt pregnancy
Gestational Diabetes: High blood sugar that starts or is first diagnosed during pregnancy
HIV/AIDS: HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It is spread by sexual contact with an infected person, use of needles or blood, and blood products contaminated with the virus
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: Group of high blood pressure disorders that include chronic hypertension in pregnancy, preeclampsia with or without severe features, eclampsia, and gestational hypertension.
Injection (Depo-Provera): A drug for preventing pregnancy given via an injection every three months
IUD (Intrauterine Device): Small plastic or copper device inserted into a woman’s uterus to prevent pregnancy
Mistreatment: When someone treats you poorly or hurts you (physically, emotionally, and/or sexually)
Natural Family Planning: Methods of avoiding or seeking pregnancy without the use of contraceptive hormones, drugs, or devices
Oral Contraceptives (“the pill”): A pill that is taken by mouth and delivers doses of hormones that change a woman’s reproductive cycle to prevent pregnancy
Postpartum Checkup: A health checkup by a trained health care provider, usually given to a woman six weeks after having a baby
Postpartum Period: Period of up to six weeks after having a baby
Preeclampsia: A serious condition marked by high blood pressure and excess protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy
Pregnancy-induced Hypertension: A condition of high blood pressure during pregnancy
Prenatal Care: Contact between pregnant women and trained health care providers to identify and manage both current and potential risks/problems during pregnancy and delivery
Reproductive Health: Addresses the reproductive processes, functions, and system at all stages of life and is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being
Rhythm/Calendar Method: A form of natural family planning where a woman does not have sex during the period of ovulation when she is most fertile
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Infection spread by sexual contact. Some STIs may be acquired through infection of blood products, sharing needles, and mother-to-child transmission
Sponge: A small absorbent pad that contains a spermicide and is inserted into the vagina before intercourse to cover the cervix so that sperm cannot enter the uterus, protecting against pregnancy
Tubal Ligation (“tubes tied”): A surgical procedure in which a woman’s fallopian tubes are blocked, tied, or cut to provide permanent pregnancy prevention. Also called “surgical contraception” or “having your tubes tied”
Vaginal Ring: A thin, transparent, flexible ring inserted into the vagina for three weeks at a time that releases hormones to prevent pregnancy
Vasectomy (Male Sterilization): A surgical procedure that prevents the release of sperm when a man ejaculates, which provides permanent pregnancy prevention. Also called “surgical contraception”
Violence: Rough or injurious physical force, action, or treatment
Well-baby Checkups: Regularly scheduled examinations during the first two years of life where a pediatrician monitors, advises, and answers questions on a baby’s growth and development
Withdrawal (Coitus Interruptus): Where the penis is deliberately moved away from the vagina before ejaculation so that sperm are not deposited in or near the vagina, protecting against pregnancy
