Allele - A form of a gene responsible for hereditary variation. Everyone has two alleles of each gene, one inherited from the mother and the other from the father. 

ALLELOMORPH - Any one of two or more genes that may occur alternatively at a given site (locus) on a chromosome.

Blastocyte - A mass of about 100 cells created as the zygote multiplies it's cell. The external part will become the placenta. The internal part will become the embryo. 

Chromatin - A substance made up of RNA, DNA and various other proteins. 

Chromosomes - Thread-like bodies made of chromatin that carry the genes within each cell. 

Ectopic Pregnancy - A pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus. - Early Pregnancy Loss 

EDC - Estimated Date of Confinement 

Estrogen - Hormone produced by the follicles used to prepare the uterus for the reception of a fertilised egg. 

EXTRAUTERINE PREGNANCY - Condition in which the fertilized ovum (egg) has become imbedded outside the uterine cavity.

Follicles - Small sacs in the ovaries that each contain an immature ovum. 

FSH - Follicle Stimulating Hormone. A peptide that is produced in the pituitary gland in the brain that has different effects on men and women. In women, it controls the development of a follicles as they are released from the ovaries. In men, it encourages the production of spermatazoa.

Full term - 37 to 42 weeks gestational age 

Gamete - An egg or spermatozoon. A male or female reproductive cell. 

Gonad - The human sex gland. Produces gametes.

HCG, Serum HCG, beta-HCG, b-HCG,  BHCG, B-HCG - Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. A hormone that is secreted by the embryo. It stimulates the production of estrogen and progesterone. This is the hormone that is tested for in urine based home pregnancy tests. 

Hysterectomy - The surgical removal of the uterus. 

Karyotype - A display of the chromosomes in a cell, usually displayed as an arrangement of chromosome pairs in descending order of size. 

LH - Leutenising Hormone. A hormone produced in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. In women, it stimulates the maturation of the follicle and causes the production of the "Yellow Body". In men, the same hormone stimulates the testis to produce testosterone.

LMP - Last Menstrual Period 

Lanugo - A coating of soft, downy hair that covers the foetus. Helps to control body temperature. 

Laparoscopy - An examination of the abdominal cavity or performance of minor abdominal surgery using a laparoscope 

Miscarriage - The expulsion of a fetus before it is able to survive outside of the womb. Also called spontaneous abortion. - Early Pregnancy Loss 

Molar Pregnancy (Hydatidiform Mole) - The result of a genetic mismatch that produces an abnormal growth instead of a foetus. - Early Pregnancy Loss. 

Ovulation - Occurs at about the midpoint of each normal cycle, and the ovum is probably capable of fertilization for only about two days after this. In the majority of women the time of ovulation is fairly constant. In women with cycles of irregular length the date of ovulation is uncertain; 

Ovum - Female reproductive cell or gamete.

Premature - a baby born before full term or 37 weeks gestation 

Pre-eclampsia - A type of toxemia in pregnancy. Symptoms include excessive water retention (swollen hands or feet) in early to mid/late pregnancy, hypertension, excessive weight gain or even convulsions if progressed to eclampsia. 

Post-Term Pregnancy - overdue - over 42 weeks gestational age 

Trimester - pregnancy is broken up into 3 phases which are usually about 3 months each

Triple Test, The Multiple Marker Test, and The AFP-Plus Test - A blood screening process taken any time between the 15th and 22nd week of pregnancy. Used to detect foetus defects and sometimes "Down Syndrome".

Vernix Caseosa - A fatty substance made up mostly of dead epidermal cells. Acts as a skin protection for the foetus. 

Yellow Body, Corpus Luteum - Once a follicle has been impregnated, it breaks open to expose the egg. The follicle quickly transforms into the Yellow Body and begins to secrete progesterone and estrogen which is used to alert the uterus wall and stimulate it to produce a mucus lining capable of accepting a fertilised egg. 

Zygote - The name given to the structure created when a male and female gamete have merged but before it begins to multiply.