Glossary: Terms Starting with "E"

EDD stands for estimated due date, the date your baby is expected to arrive, calculated as 40 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period. It can also be calculated or refined using an early ultrasound scan, which measures the baby's size to confirm how far along the pregnancy is. The EDD is used to plan your antenatal care schedule, screening tests, and delivery arrangements. It is important to understand that only about 5 percent of babies are born exactly on their EDD. Most births happen anywhere between 37 and 42 weeks. Your doctor will reassess the EDD if early scan measurements differ significantly from the LMP-based date.

Related: LMP, dating ultrasound

EDC stands for estimated date of confinement, an older medical term for the date a baby is expected to be born. The word confinement historically referred to the period around childbirth when a woman was expected to rest and recover. In modern practice, EDC means exactly the same thing as EDD (estimated due date) and is calculated the same way, using the last menstrual period or an ultrasound scan. You may still see EDC used in older medical documents, hospital discharge letters, or maternity benefit claim forms in Singapore. If you come across it, you can treat it as identical to your EDD.

Related: EDD, due date

An embryo is what your developing baby is called from the moment of fertilisation through to the end of week 8 of pregnancy. During this period, a single fertilised cell rapidly divides and differentiates into the distinct cell layers that will form every organ and structure in the body. By week 6, a primitive heartbeat can often be detected on ultrasound. The embryonic stage is when the baby is most vulnerable to environmental factors such as infections, certain medications, alcohol, and nutritional deficiencies. Taking folic acid before and during this stage helps prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

Related: Fetus, implantation

Early term refers to births that occur between 37 weeks 0 days and 38 weeks 6 days of pregnancy. Although babies born in this window are not classified as premature, their lungs, brain, and liver are still maturing rapidly in those final weeks. Compared to full-term babies, early-term newborns have a higher chance of needing NICU support, experiencing jaundice, having difficulty breastfeeding, and being readmitted to hospital after discharge. Elective deliveries, such as planned caesareans or inductions, are generally discouraged before 39 weeks unless there is a clear medical reason. If your doctor suggests delivering in this window, ask why it is necessary.

Related: Full term, late term

Estimated fetal weight (EFW) is a calculation your doctor makes using measurements taken during an ultrasound scan, typically the baby's head size, abdominal circumference, and femur length. A formula combines these figures to produce a weight estimate in grams. EFW is used to monitor whether your baby is growing within a healthy range for its gestational age. Babies measuring below the 10th percentile may be flagged as small for gestational age, while those above the 90th percentile may prompt additional monitoring. Accuracy typically falls within a margin of 10 to 20 percent, so the number is a guide rather than a precise reading.

Related: Growth scan, percentile

Edema is the buildup of excess fluid in body tissues, causing swelling most often noticed in the feet, ankles, and lower legs. It is very common in the second and third trimesters because your body produces about 50 percent more blood and fluid during pregnancy to support the baby. Heat, standing for long periods, and long flights can all make swelling worse, which is especially relevant in Singapore's humid climate. To reduce edema, elevate your feet when resting, wear comfortable low-heeled shoes, stay hydrated, and avoid standing for long stretches. Light walking helps the circulation push fluid back through the body.

Related: Swelling, preeclampsia

Eclampsia is a life-threatening complication in which a woman with preeclampsia develops seizures during pregnancy, labour, or shortly after birth. It occurs when uncontrolled high blood pressure and inflammation affect the brain. Symptoms that may precede a seizure include severe persistent headache, vision changes, upper abdominal pain, and sudden worsening swelling. The seizures can deprive both mother and baby of oxygen and require immediate emergency treatment including anticonvulsant medication and stabilisation of blood pressure. Delivery of the baby is often the definitive treatment. Eclampsia is rare but can occur even in women with previously mild preeclampsia.

Related: Preeclampsia, magnesium sulfate

Effacement describes how your cervix thins, softens, and shortens as labor approaches. Before effacement, the cervix is about 3 to 4 centimeters long and firm, like the tip of a nose. As labor nears, it gradually thins out and merges with the lower part of the uterus. This process is measured as a percentage: 0% means no effacement, while 100% means the cervix is fully thinned. Effacement and dilation usually happen together, but in first-time mothers the cervix often effaces before it dilates significantly. Your doctor or midwife will report both numbers together to give a clearer picture of how ready your body is for birth.

Related: Cervix, dilation

Engagement happens when your baby's head descends into your pelvis and becomes nestled or "fixed" in place, ready for birth. It is sometimes called the baby "dropping" or "lightening." You may notice that your bump sits lower and breathing becomes easier because the baby has shifted away from your diaphragm. In first-time mothers, engagement often occurs a few weeks before labor begins, between 36 and 38 weeks. In mothers who have given birth before, engagement may not happen until labor actually starts. Your obstetrician can confirm engagement through abdominal palpation or an internal exam. Engagement is a positive sign that your pelvis is likely adequate for a vaginal birth.

Related: Station, lightening

An epidural is the most common form of pain relief in labor. A thin catheter (small tube) is placed into the epidural space in your lower back by an anesthetist. Numbing medication is delivered continuously or in top-up doses, reducing pain from contractions while usually allowing you to remain awake and alert. Most women can still feel pressure and move their legs to some degree. An epidural can be topped up for a cesarean if needed. It does not affect your baby's alertness at birth and does not increase cesarean risk, though it may lengthen the pushing stage for some women.

Related: Spinal anesthesia, pain relief

An emergency cesarean is an unplanned surgical birth that is performed quickly because of a concern for you or your baby during labor. Common reasons include fetal distress detected on the CTG monitor, a prolonged or stalled labor, cord prolapse, or placental abruption. The team works fast, and the room can feel busy and intense, which is understandably frightening. Your birth partner is usually allowed to be present. While the experience may feel unexpected or overwhelming, the goal is always to get both of you through safely. Debriefing with your midwife or doctor afterward can help you process what happened.

Related: C-section, fetal distress

An episiotomy is a small surgical cut made at the perineum, the area of skin and muscle between the vaginal opening and the anus, to widen the birth canal during delivery. A doctor or midwife makes the cut with scissors just before the baby's head emerges. It may be recommended when delivery needs to be speeded up due to foetal distress, when forceps or vacuum extraction are used, or when a large natural tear seems likely. Local anaesthetic is given first, and the cut is stitched closed after the placenta is delivered. Healing typically takes two to four weeks.

Related: Perineal tear, assisted birth

External cephalic version, often called ECV, is a procedure where a trained obstetrician uses firm, steady pressure on your abdomen to gently guide a breech baby into a head-down position. It is typically offered at around 36 to 37 weeks of pregnancy. ECV is performed in a hospital setting with continuous monitoring of your baby's heart rate and an ultrasound machine on standby. The success rate is roughly 50 to 60 percent. If ECV is successful, you may then be able to aim for a vaginal birth. If it does not work or is not suitable for you, a planned caesarean section is usually recommended.

Related: Breech, cephalic

Engorgement happens when the breasts become overly full, swollen, and tender, most commonly when milk first comes in or when feeds are missed or spaced too far apart. The breasts can feel hard, lumpy, and warm, and the nipple area may flatten, making it harder for your baby to latch properly. To relieve engorgement, feed or pump frequently, apply a warm compress before feeding to encourage let-down, and use a cold pack afterwards to reduce swelling. Gently hand-expressing a little milk before a feed can soften the areola and help your baby latch more comfortably.

Related: Milk coming in, mastitis

Expressed breast milk is milk removed from the breast by hand expression or a breast pump and collected in a clean container for later use. It contains the same antibodies, fats, and nutrients as milk fed directly at the breast, making it a valuable option when direct feeding is not possible, such as when a baby is in the NICU, when a mother is at work, or when a father or caregiver wants to help with feeds. Proper storage is essential to keep the milk safe. Freshly expressed milk can be kept at room temperature for up to four hours, refrigerated for up to four days, or frozen for up to six months.

Related: Pumping, bottle feeding

An extremely preterm baby is born at or before 25 weeks of pregnancy, at the very edge of viability. These babies weigh as little as 500 to 700 grams and require immediate, intensive life support including ventilation, intravenous nutrition, and temperature-controlled incubators. The risks of serious complications, including chronic lung disease, vision problems, hearing loss, and developmental delays, are significant. Medical teams will have honest conversations with parents about likely outcomes and the care plan. Long-term developmental follow-up is essential, and many hospitals have dedicated preterm follow-up clinics to support these children as they grow.

Related: Viability, NICU