Glossary: Terms Starting with "P"

A postterm pregnancy is one that continues to 42 weeks or beyond the estimated due date. At this point, the placenta may begin to function less efficiently, reducing the oxygen and nutrients reaching the baby. The risk of stillbirth and complications during labour also increases after 42 weeks. Most doctors recommend monitoring the baby closely from 41 weeks, using non-stress tests and ultrasound scans to check amniotic fluid levels and fetal movement. If the cervix is ready, induction of labour is usually offered to reduce these risks and avoid further waiting.

Related: Late term, induction

Prenatal care covers all the medical appointments, screenings, and health guidance you receive from the moment you confirm your pregnancy until you give birth. Regular visits allow your doctor or midwife to monitor your baby's growth, check your blood pressure, run blood and urine tests, and offer scans at key stages. Early care matters because it catches conditions like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and infections before they become serious. It also gives you a chance to ask questions, discuss your birth plan, and receive advice on nutrition, safe exercise, and warning signs to watch for at home.

Related: OB-GYN, midwife

A prenatal vitamin is a daily supplement specially formulated to support your health and your baby's development before and during pregnancy. It typically contains folic acid, iron, calcium, iodine, vitamin D, and other nutrients that are harder to get from food alone or that your body needs in larger amounts when pregnant. Starting prenatal vitamins before conception helps build up nutrient stores early. Your doctor or midwife may recommend a specific brand or adjust the dose based on your blood tests, diet, and any existing deficiencies.

Related: Folic acid, iron, DHA

Prenatal screening refers to tests done during pregnancy to estimate the probability that your baby has certain chromosomal conditions, such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21), or structural problems. These tests do not give a yes or no answer; instead they assign a risk level, such as 1 in 500 or 1 in 50. Common screens include the first-trimester combined test (blood test plus nuchal translucency ultrasound at 11 to 13 weeks), the second-trimester quadruple blood test, and non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), which analyses fetal DNA from a maternal blood sample. A high-risk result means further diagnostic testing is recommended, not that your baby definitely has the condition.

Related: NIPT, NT scan

A prenatal diagnostic test is designed to confirm or rule out a specific chromosomal or genetic condition in your baby with much greater certainty than screening tests. The two most common procedures are chorionic villus sampling (CVS), performed between 10 and 13 weeks of pregnancy, and amniocentesis, performed from about 15 to 20 weeks. Both involve taking a small sample of placental tissue or amniotic fluid for laboratory analysis, and both carry a small but real risk of miscarriage, typically estimated at around 0.5 to 1 percent. Diagnostic testing is usually offered when screening results indicate high risk or when there is a known family history of a genetic condition.

Related: CVS, amniocentesis

Pelvic girdle pain, or PGP, is a group of painful conditions affecting the joints of the pelvis during pregnancy. It happens when the hormone relaxin loosens the ligaments holding your pelvic joints together, sometimes causing them to move unevenly under the stress of a growing belly. Pain is commonly felt at the front of the pelvis, at the tailbone, or deep in the hips, and it can make walking, climbing stairs, turning in bed, or separating your legs very uncomfortable. PGP ranges from mild to severe. Seeing a physiotherapist early is the most effective approach. A support belt, targeted exercises, and adjusting daily movements can all reduce pain significantly.

Related: SPD, physiotherapy

Prodromal labour is a pattern of contractions that can feel very much like early labour, sometimes lasting hours or even days, but do not progress steadily into active labour with consistent cervical dilation. The contractions are real and can be uncomfortable, but they tend to start and stop rather than build continuously. This is more common in subsequent pregnancies, with a posterior baby, or when the baby is still finding an optimal position in the pelvis. Rest, gentle movement, warm baths, and staying hydrated can help you cope. It is a normal, if tiring, part of the body getting ready.

Related: False labor, Braxton Hicks

Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that develops after 20 weeks, characterised by high blood pressure combined with signs of organ involvement such as protein in the urine, severe headaches, sudden swelling of the face and hands, blurred vision, or upper abdominal pain. It can restrict blood flow to the placenta, affecting your baby's growth, and can progress rapidly to dangerous complications. Risk factors include a first pregnancy, carrying multiples, obesity, pre-existing hypertension, or a family history of the condition. Regular antenatal check-ups are essential because blood pressure and urine are routinely monitored to catch it early.

Related: BP, urine protein, eclampsia

The placenta is a disc-shaped organ, roughly the size of a dinner plate at term, that grows inside the uterus and attaches to its wall. It acts as the lifeline between you and your baby, transferring oxygen and nutrients from your bloodstream into the baby's, and carrying waste and carbon dioxide back out. It also produces hormones such as progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) that sustain the pregnancy. The placenta is delivered in the third stage of labour, usually within 30 minutes of birth. Problems such as placenta praevia (low-lying placenta) or placental abruption require close medical management.

Related: Umbilical cord, amniotic sac

Polyhydramnios means there is more amniotic fluid around your baby than expected. It is diagnosed when the amniotic fluid index (AFI) is above 24 cm or a single deepest pocket exceeds 8 cm on ultrasound. It can occur because your baby is swallowing less fluid than usual, or because extra fluid is being produced. Mild cases often resolve on their own, but moderate to severe polyhydramnios can increase the risk of preterm labor, cord prolapse, or breathing difficulty for your baby. Your doctor will monitor you more frequently and may recommend additional tests to check for underlying causes such as gestational diabetes or fetal abnormalities.

Related: AFI, amniotic fluid

Placenta previa occurs when the placenta implants low in the uterus and partially or completely covers the cervical opening. This can block the baby's path out during delivery and cause painless vaginal bleeding, especially in the second and third trimesters. If detected early in pregnancy, the placenta may still move upward as the uterus grows, so a follow-up scan around 32 to 36 weeks is usually recommended. If the placenta remains low near your due date, your doctor will plan a caesarean birth. Avoiding sexual intercourse, heavy exercise, and internal examinations is typically advised to reduce bleeding risk.

Related: Placenta, cervix, C-section

Placental abruption happens when the placenta peels away from the uterine wall before delivery. This can cut off oxygen and nutrients to your baby and cause significant bleeding for you, making it a serious obstetric emergency. Symptoms include sudden, severe abdominal pain, a rigid or tender uterus, and vaginal bleeding, though in some cases blood is trapped inside and not visible. Risk factors include high blood pressure, trauma to the abdomen, smoking, and previous abruption. Mild cases may be monitored closely in hospital, while severe abruption usually requires immediate delivery to protect both mother and baby.

Related: Placenta, bleeding

The posterior placenta is one that has implanted on the back wall of the uterus, closest to your spine. This is one of the most common and favorable placental positions. Because the placenta sits away from your cervix, it rarely causes complications. One practical effect is that you may feel your baby's kicks more strongly toward the front of your belly from earlier in pregnancy. At your detailed scan (usually around 20 weeks), your sonographer will note placental position. A posterior placenta generally requires no special monitoring or intervention.

Related: Placenta, anatomy scan

PROM stands for premature rupture of membranes, which means the amniotic sac breaks before labor actually starts. This can happen at any point in pregnancy, including at full term (37 weeks or beyond). When it occurs at term, labor typically begins on its own within 24 hours for most women. If labor does not start naturally, your doctor will usually recommend induction to reduce the risk of infection to you and your baby. Signs include a gush or trickle of clear fluid that does not stop. Unlike urine leaks (common in late pregnancy), amniotic fluid has a faint sweet smell and keeps flowing.

Related: ROM, PPROM

PPROM stands for preterm premature rupture of membranes, meaning the amniotic sac breaks before 37 weeks of pregnancy and before labor has started. It accounts for about one third of preterm births and carries risks including infection, cord prolapse, and early delivery. Treatment depends on how far along you are. Before 34 weeks, doctors often try to prolong the pregnancy with antibiotics and steroids to help the baby's lungs mature. Closer to 37 weeks, early delivery may be planned. You should go to the hospital immediately if you suspect your waters have broken early, even if it is just a slow leak.

Related: PROM, preterm labor

Pushing refers to the bearing-down efforts you make during the second stage of labor to help move your baby through the birth canal and into the world. Effective pushing involves taking a deep breath, holding it briefly, and bearing down with your abdominal muscles, similar to the effort of a bowel movement. Your midwife or doctor will guide you on timing each push with your contractions. Some mothers find it helpful to try different positions, such as squatting, side-lying, or supported sitting, to find what works best. Listening to your body and resting between contractions prevents exhaustion and makes each push more effective.

Related: Second stage, crowning

Pitocin is the brand name for synthetic oxytocin, a hormone given intravenously to start or speed up contractions during labor. It is one of the most commonly used medications in maternity care worldwide. Doctors may use it to induce labor if the pregnancy has gone past the due date, if the mother has certain health conditions like high blood pressure, or if labor has slowed down and is not progressing. The dose is adjusted carefully throughout labor based on how strong and frequent contractions are and how the baby responds on the fetal monitor. Contractions caused by Pitocin can feel stronger than natural contractions, so pain relief options are worth discussing in advance.

Related: Oxytocin, induction

A planned cesarean, sometimes called an elective cesarean, is a surgical birth that is scheduled before you go into labor. Your doctor may recommend one if your baby is in a breech position, if you are carrying multiples, if you have placenta previa, or if you had a previous cesarean with certain incision types. It can also be requested for personal reasons in some cases. The procedure is usually booked around 39 weeks to give your baby enough time to mature. Because it is organized in advance, you know exactly when your baby will arrive, which can help with planning childcare and family support.

Related: C-section, breech

A perineal tear is a natural split in the skin and muscle around the vaginal opening that can happen as your baby passes through the birth canal. Tears are graded from first to fourth degree depending on how deep they go. First and second degree tears involve skin and superficial muscle and usually heal well with a few dissolvable stitches. Third and fourth degree tears extend into or through the anal sphincter and require specialist repair in theatre. Most women heal fully, but recovery time varies. Pelvic floor exercises after birth support healing and help restore bladder and bowel control.

Related: Episiotomy, stitches

Pumping means using a breast pump, either electric or manual, to draw milk from your breasts so it can be stored and fed to your baby later. Many mothers pump to build a freezer stash before returning to work, to boost supply, to relieve engorgement, or to feed a baby who cannot latch. Pumping frequency matters as much as duration: aim to pump as often as your baby would normally feed, usually eight to twelve times in twenty-four hours for newborns. A good latch or pump flange fit can significantly improve output. Washing pump parts thoroughly after every session prevents bacterial growth.

Related: Expressed milk, milk supply

Phototherapy is a medical light treatment used to lower bilirubin levels in newborns with jaundice, a common condition causing yellowing of the skin and eyes. Bilirubin builds up when a baby's liver is not yet mature enough to process it efficiently. During phototherapy, your baby lies under special blue-spectrum lights, sometimes on a light blanket too, which breaks down bilirubin through the skin so the body can clear it. The treatment is generally safe and effective, lasting one to several days. Your baby's eyes are covered with protective goggles and feeding continues as normal to prevent dehydration.

Related: Bilirubin, jaundice

A preterm baby, also called a premature baby, is one born before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. Doctors classify prematurity by gestational age: late preterm is 34 to 36 weeks, moderately preterm is 32 to 33 weeks, very preterm is 28 to 31 weeks, and extremely preterm is under 28 weeks. The earlier a baby is born, the greater the need for specialized care, as organs such as the lungs, brain, gut, and immune system are still developing. Preterm babies may need NICU or Special Care Nursery support for breathing, feeding, warmth, and infection prevention, and parents should expect a longer hospital stay.

Related: Premature baby, late preterm

Postpartum refers to the period after childbirth, typically the first 6 to 12 weeks, during which your body heals and adjusts after delivery. Physically, your uterus shrinks back to its normal size, hormone levels drop sharply, and wounds from a vaginal tear or caesarean incision heal. Emotionally, the sudden shift in hormones can trigger baby blues or, in some cases, postpartum depression. Beyond the physical recovery, this period also involves learning to feed, soothe, and bond with your newborn. Rest, adequate nutrition, and support from family or a confinement helper can make a real difference to your recovery.

Related: Fourth trimester, lochia

Perineal care refers to cleaning and looking after the area between your vagina and anus after a vaginal birth, especially if you had a tear or an episiotomy with stitches. Good perineal care helps prevent infection, reduces swelling, and supports healing. Rinse the area gently with warm water after every toilet visit, pat dry from front to back, and change maternity pads regularly. Ice packs in the first 24 hours can reduce swelling. A small squeeze bottle filled with warm water makes rinsing easier and more comfortable. Most stitches dissolve on their own within two to four weeks and do not need removal.

Related: Perineal tear, episiotomy

Postpartum hemorrhage means losing more than 500 millilitres of blood after a vaginal birth, or more than 1,000 millilitres after a caesarean. It is one of the leading causes of serious complications after childbirth worldwide, but it is also very treatable when caught early. It most often occurs because the uterus does not contract firmly after the placenta is delivered, a condition called uterine atony. Other causes include retained placental tissue, vaginal or cervical tears, or blood clotting problems. Warning signs include heavy soaking of pads within minutes, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or fainting. Medical teams act quickly using uterine massage, medications like oxytocin, and sometimes surgical procedures.

Related: Lochia, uterine atony

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a clinical mood disorder that can develop any time in the first year after giving birth. It goes well beyond the short-lived baby blues and involves persistent sadness, loss of interest in things you normally enjoy, exhaustion that does not improve with rest, difficulty bonding with your baby, and sometimes feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness. Hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, and major life changes all contribute. PPD is not a sign of weakness or bad parenting. It is a medical condition, and it responds well to therapy, support groups, and when needed, medication that is safe while breastfeeding.

Related: Baby blues, PMAD

Postpartum anxiety is persistent, intense worry that develops after childbirth and does not ease with reassurance or rest. New parents with postpartum anxiety often find themselves caught in loops of fearful thoughts about their baby's safety, health, or whether they are doing things right. Physical symptoms can include a racing heart, trouble sleeping even when the baby is settled, muscle tension, and a constant feeling that something bad is about to happen. It is at least as common as postpartum depression and can occur alongside it. Without treatment the anxiety tends to worsen, but talking therapy such as CBT and, where needed, safe medication can bring significant relief.

Related: PPD, PMAD

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) cover a range of emotional health conditions that can appear during pregnancy or within the first year after giving birth. They include depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and the rare but serious postpartum psychosis. Symptoms may include persistent sadness, excessive worry, difficulty bonding with your baby, or intrusive thoughts. PMADs affect roughly 1 in 5 mothers and can also affect fathers and partners. Early support, including counselling, peer groups, and sometimes medication, leads to full recovery for most people.

Related: PPD, PPA, baby blues

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissue that forms a hammock-like base inside your pelvis, holding up your bladder, bowel, and uterus. During pregnancy, the growing baby puts constant downward pressure on these muscles, and vaginal birth can stretch or weaken them further. A weakened pelvic floor can cause leaking urine when you cough or sneeze, a feeling of heaviness in the vagina, or difficulty controlling wind. Seeing a women's health physiotherapist after birth, even if you have no symptoms, is strongly recommended to assess your pelvic floor and guide recovery exercises.

Related: Kegels, pelvic floor therapy

A paediatrician is a medical doctor who has completed specialist training in the health and development of infants, children, and teenagers. They diagnose and treat illnesses, monitor growth and developmental milestones, administer vaccinations, and advise on nutrition and behaviour. In Singapore, parents often see a paediatrician at the hospital after birth and then at regular well-baby visits throughout the first years of life. A paediatrician is the right doctor to consult for concerns such as persistent fever, poor weight gain, developmental delays, or recurring infections. Building a relationship with one early makes healthcare decisions easier.

Related: Newborn check, well-baby visit