Ever feel like doctors and nurses are speaking an entirely different language? Like you’ve landed on another planet when they start throwing around medical terms? Don’t worry—you’re not alone!
Understanding labor and delivery lingo can help you feel more confident and in control of your birth experience.
Here’s your easy-to-read, no-nonsense guide to some of the most common medical terms used during labor and delivery. Let’s break it down! 👇
1️⃣ Pit (Short for Pitocin – Syntocinon – Oxytocin)
Nope, they’re not talking about your armpit! 🤣
“Pit” is short for Pitocin, the trade name for the synthetic version of the hormone oxytocin (also called Syntocinon in some parts of the world). If you hear your nurse or doctor say, “We’re going to pit you,” it means they’re giving you oxytocin through an IV to help strengthen or start contractions. This is often used to induce labor or keep things progressing if labor slows down.
2️⃣ VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)
If you had a C-section before and want to try a vaginal birth, you’re a VBAC! Some doctors also use the term TOLAC (Trial of Labor After Cesarean).
Your healthcare provider will discuss whether VBAC is a safe option for you, as there is a small risk of uterine rupture where the old C-section scar could tear. Every situation is different, so don’t hesitate to ask questions and advocate for yourself!
3️⃣ ROM (Rupture of Membranes)
Translation: Your water broke! 💦
If your doctor or nurse asks, “Is she ruptured?” they’re checking if your amniotic sac has broken and fluid is leaking.
👉 SROM = Spontaneous Rupture of Membranes (when your water breaks naturally). 👉 AROM = Artificial Rupture of Membranes (when the doctor breaks it for you with a tiny hook, usually to help labor progress).
And fun fact: If a baby is born with the amniotic sac still intact, it’s called being born “en caul.” Pretty rare but super cool!
4️⃣ PPH (Postpartum Hemorrhage)
This is when a mom bleeds more than usual after birth. To prevent or manage this, most hospitals give you oxytocin right after delivery to help your uterus contract. If excessive bleeding happens, your provider may give extra medications, perform a minor procedure, or, in rare cases, take you to the OR to stop the bleeding.
Risk factors include having multiple babies, long labors, or receiving a lot of oxytocin during labor. But don’t stress—your healthcare team is trained to handle this!
5️⃣ Primip & Multip
If a doctor calls you a Primip, don’t take offense! It just means you’re having your first baby (short for “primipara”).
👉 Multip = A mom who has had more than one baby. 👉 Grand Multip = A mom who has had five or more babies!
First-time moms (primips) usually have longer labors, especially during the pushing stage, while multip moms tend to deliver quicker.
6️⃣ Bilirubin & Jaundice
Ever heard of babies looking a little yellow after birth? That’s jaundice, and it happens due to high levels of bilirubin, a yellow pigment that forms when red blood cells break down.
Most newborns are tested before going home. If bilirubin levels are too high, they may need phototherapy—a special light treatment that helps break it down.
7️⃣ PPD (Postpartum Depression)
Postpartum depression is very common, affecting 1 in 5 new moms. It’s more than just the “baby blues”—if feelings of sadness, anxiety, or detachment from your baby last longer than a couple of weeks, seek support from your doctor.
👉 Dads and partners can experience PPD too! Keep an eye on each other and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
8️⃣ Mec (Meconium)
“Mec” is baby’s first poop, which looks like black, sticky tar. Sometimes, babies poop before birth, and the amniotic fluid becomes mec-stained (turning green, brown, or yellowish). If this happens, extra support staff like a pediatrician may be at your delivery to make sure baby is breathing well after birth.
9️⃣ Epidural
An epidural is a popular pain relief option during labor. It’s an injection given into your lower back that helps block pain from the waist down. Once it kicks in, contractions feel much less intense, and some women even nap through labor!
👉 Fun fact: You can still feel pressure and the urge to push with an epidural—it just takes away the sharp pain.
🔟 Station
Your baby’s station refers to how low they are in the birth canal. It’s measured in numbers:
📍 -3 to 0: Baby is still floating up high. 📍 0 station: Baby is engaged (head at the level of your pelvis). 📍 +1 to +3: Baby is moving down, and +3 means it’s almost time to push!
Your doctor or nurse might say, “She’s at +2,” meaning baby is getting close!
1️⃣1️⃣ Vernix
Vernix is the white, cheesy coating that covers a newborn’s skin at birth. It acts as a natural moisturizer and protects baby’s skin from amniotic fluid. Some hospitals gently wipe it off, while others encourage parents to leave it on for a while because it has antibacterial properties and helps keep baby’s skin soft!
Final Thoughts
Hospital lingo can sound like a foreign language, but now you’re fluent in labor & delivery talk! 🎉
Have you heard any confusing medical terms? Drop them in the comments or message me—I’d love to decode them for you! 💬👶
Very informative. Thank you
Thanks for checking it out! You’re welcome 🙂
Didn’t know for more then half of this terms what they mean 🙂
I’m glad I was able to inform you! There are a lot more terms but I think these are a few of the more common ones. ?