Glossary: Terms Starting with "S"

The second trimester spans weeks 14 to 27 and is often the most comfortable phase of pregnancy. Morning sickness usually eases, energy returns, and your bump becomes visible. The highlight of this trimester is the detailed anatomy scan, typically done around weeks 18 to 22, which checks that your baby's organs and structures are developing normally. You will also start to feel your baby move, usually between weeks 18 and 22 for first-time mothers. Blood tests for gestational diabetes screening are commonly done around weeks 24 to 28. This is a good time to start planning antenatal classes and your birth preferences.

Related: Anatomy scan, quickening

Symphysis pubis dysfunction, or SPD, is a specific type of pelvic girdle pain caused by excessive movement or instability at the symphysis pubis, the joint at the very front of the pelvis just above the pubic area. During pregnancy, relaxin softens this joint to help the baby pass through the pelvis at birth, but for some women it loosens too much. This causes a sharp, stabbing, or grinding pain in the front of the pelvis that worsens when walking, going up stairs, getting out of a car, or moving your legs apart. SPD can be quite debilitating but is manageable with physiotherapy, a pelvic support belt, and movement modifications like keeping knees together when turning in bed.

Related: PGP, pelvic pain

A short cervix is usually defined as a cervical length below 25 mm before 24 weeks of pregnancy. When the cervix is shorter than expected, there is a higher chance that labor may begin too early, before 37 weeks. Your doctor may recommend progesterone supplements (taken vaginally), a cervical stitch called a cerclage, or more frequent monitoring depending on how short the cervix is and your pregnancy history. Catching a short cervix early gives doctors the best chance to take action and help you carry your baby as close to full term as possible.

Related: Cervical length, cerclage

Station describes how far your baby's head (or presenting part) has descended into your pelvis. It is measured in centimeters relative to two bony landmarks in your pelvis called the ischial spines. A station of 0 means the baby's head is level with those spines, a negative station (such as -2 or -3) means the head is above them, and a positive station (such as +1 or +2) means the head has moved below them and is descending toward the birth canal. A station of +3 or +4 means the baby is very close to being born. Your care team tracks station alongside dilation and effacement to assess labor progress.

Related: Engagement, dilation

The second stage of labor begins once your cervix reaches full dilation at 10 centimeters and ends with the birth of your baby. During this stage, contractions continue and you will feel a strong urge to push. Your care team will guide you on when and how to push effectively. For first-time mothers, this stage typically lasts one to three hours, and can be shorter for subsequent births. The baby moves down through the birth canal, and crowning occurs just before birth. Remaining calm, following your midwife's cues, and resting between contractions can help you conserve energy.

Related: Pushing, crowning

Spinal anesthesia is a single injection of local anesthetic and sometimes a pain reliever directly into the cerebrospinal fluid in your lower back. It works faster than an epidural and produces a very reliable, dense block from the waist down, making it the preferred choice for planned and emergency cesarean sections. You remain fully awake and can hold your baby immediately after delivery. The numbness typically lasts one to two hours and wears off gradually. Because it is a one-time injection rather than a continuous catheter, spinal anesthesia cannot be extended if surgery takes longer than expected, unlike an epidural.

Related: Epidural, C-section

Shoulder dystocia is a rare but serious birth complication where the baby's head has been delivered but one or both shoulders become lodged behind the mother's pubic bone, preventing the rest of the body from being born. This requires immediate action by the clinical team because the umbilical cord can become compressed, reducing oxygen to the baby. Trained doctors and midwives use specific maneuvers, such as the McRoberts maneuver (pulling the mother's knees sharply back toward her shoulders) and suprapubic pressure, to release the shoulder. It occurs in roughly 0.5 to 1 percent of vaginal births and cannot always be predicted in advance.

Related: Macrosomia, assisted birth

Skin-to-skin contact means placing a naked or lightly wrapped newborn directly against a parent's bare chest right after birth, or at any time during the early weeks. The warmth and closeness help regulate the baby's body temperature, heart rate, and breathing. It also stimulates the release of hormones that support breastfeeding and bonding. Both mothers and fathers can do skin-to-skin, and it is beneficial even after a caesarean birth. Most Singapore hospitals support immediate skin-to-skin in the delivery room when mother and baby are both stable.

Related: Kangaroo care, breastfeeding

A Special Care Nursery, sometimes called a high dependency nursery or transitional care unit, is a hospital ward for newborns who need more support than a regular postnatal ward provides but are not sick enough for the full NICU. Babies admitted here may be mildly premature, have mild jaundice needing phototherapy, low birth weight, feeding difficulties, or need close monitoring after birth. Nurses check vital signs frequently and can begin bottle or tube feeding support. Parents can usually visit freely and are actively involved in care, learning how to feed, bathe, and care for their baby before discharge.

Related: NICU, nursery

Small for gestational age (SGA) describes a baby whose birth weight falls below the 10th percentile for their gestational age and sex. This means the baby is smaller than 90% of babies born at the same stage of pregnancy. SGA can be constitutional, meaning the baby is simply naturally small due to genetics, or it can signal fetal growth restriction caused by placental problems, maternal health issues, infections, or chromosomal conditions. Doctors monitor SGA babies closely after birth for low blood sugar, difficulty feeding, and temperature regulation problems. Most SGA babies catch up in growth within the first two years of life.

Related: IUGR, percentile

The six-week postnatal check is a medical appointment for both mother and baby, usually scheduled around four to eight weeks after birth. For mothers, the doctor or midwife assesses physical recovery, including wound healing after a caesarean or episiotomy, blood pressure, and emotional wellbeing. They will also screen for postnatal depression and discuss contraception. For the baby, the doctor checks weight gain, feeding, reflexes, and development milestones. This visit is a good time to raise any concerns about breastfeeding difficulties, persistent pain, or mood changes. Do not skip it even if you feel well.

Related: Postpartum care, contraception

Safe sleep means creating a sleeping environment that lowers your baby's risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and accidental suffocation. The key rules are: always place your baby on their back on a firm, flat mattress; keep the crib free of pillows, soft toys, loose blankets, and bumpers; avoid bed-sharing, especially if you have consumed alcohol or are very tired; and ensure the room temperature is comfortable but not too warm. A fitted sheet on a firm mattress in a separate cot next to your bed is the safest arrangement for the first six months.

Related: Back to sleep, sleep sack

Swaddling means wrapping your newborn snugly in a muslin or cotton blanket so their arms are held gently against their body. It mimics the feeling of being in the womb, which can calm a fussy baby, reduce the startle reflex that wakes them, and help them settle to sleep more easily. A proper swaddle is snug around the arms and torso but loose around the hips and legs, allowing the knees to bend and the legs to move outward. Over-tight swaddling around the hips can contribute to hip dysplasia. Always place a swaddled baby on their back.

Related: Safe sleep, startle reflex

The startle reflex, also called the Moro reflex, is a normal involuntary response present in all healthy newborns. When your baby is startled by a sudden noise, movement, or the sensation of falling, they will throw their arms and legs outward, open their hands, then quickly bring their arms back toward their chest. It is a sign that your baby's nervous system is working correctly. The reflex can be triggered easily in the early weeks and may wake a sleeping baby. It typically becomes less pronounced around two to four months as the baby's brain matures, and disappears by around six months.

Related: Swaddle, newborn reflexes