| Glossary of Terms |
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Abortifacient Substance or drug that causes an abortion. Abortion on demand / request When a woman can simply ask for an abortion, without having to give reasons or fulfil criteria. Age of consent Age at which it is legal to have penetrative sex (16 in the UK). Back-street abortion Abortion performed illegally and secretly, probably in unhygienic circumstances and without anaesthetic. Carrying a pregnancy to term Completing the 40 weeks of pregnancy and giving birth. Cervix Neck of the uterus. Conscientious objection Moral objection (to abortion). Fallopian tube Tube from ovary to uterus. Fertilisation Conception. When the egg cell meets the sperm cell. Fetus Developing baby. Gestation Process of being carried in the uterus from conception to birth. The length of time a pregnancy has been going on. Implantation When the fertilised egg settles into the uterus wall. Induced abortion Abortion, the intentional ending of a pregnancy. Infertility Inability to produce offspring. Informed consent Consent given voluntarily, by a competent person, able to fully understand the benefits and potential risks of their decision. Maternal mortality Death of a woman due to pregnancy or birth-related problems Miscarriage Natural ending of a pregnancy before the fetus is viable (see spontaneous abortion). Obstetrics and gynaecology Branch of medicine that deals with pregnancy, childbirth and the female reproductive system. Pessary Medication inserted into vagina. Pregnancy State of having a fetus in uterus. Quickening Moment when the woman first feels the fetus move. Speculum Device for opening vagina for medical purposes. Spontaneous abortion Miscarriage (see miscarriage). Still-birth Delivery of a baby/fetus that has died in the uterus. Termination of pregnancy Abortion, the intentional ending of a pregnancy. Trimester First, second or third period of three months of a pregnancy. Uterus A hollow muscular organ located in the pelvic cavity of women and female mammals in which the fertilised egg implants and develops. Also called womb. Vagina Passage leading out from uterus. Birth canal. Viability Point at which a fetus could survive outside the woman's body. |
