Glossary

trimester – a 12 week period of a pregnancy. Different periods during pregnancy are commonly referred to as the first, second and third trimester.

gastrointestinal tract (or GI tract) is where we digest our food. It is a long tube that runs from the mouth to the anus. The gastrointestinal tract begins with the mouth and then becomes the oesophagus (food pipe), stomach, duodenum, small intestine, large intestine (colon), rectum and, finally, the anus. It is also called the GI tract.

postpartum refers to the time after a baby is born. Postpartum refers to the mother.

See: antepartum and intrapartum.

amniocentesis – test in which cells around a fetus are removed and examined to detect genetic abnormalities

neonate – a baby that is 0 to 28 days old.