ACETOMINIPHEN
medication used to relieve pain and fever (sold as Tylenol and other brands)

ACTIVE ALERT STATES
one of the states of consciousness of a newborn, in which the baby moves frequently, looks around and makes small sounds; the state appears before eating and when the baby is fussy

ACTIVE PHASE OF LABOR
the phase of labor during which contractions become stronger (often from five minutes down to three minutes apart) and the cervix effaces and dilates (to about eight centimeters)

ACTIVE SLEEP STATE
one of the states of consciousness of a newborn, characterized by restless sleep with fluttering eyelids, occasional body activity, funny faces (grimaces, smiles, frowns), chewing movements or bursts of sucking

AFTERBIRTH
the placenta and membranes that are expelled from a woman’s uterus following the birth of a child

AFTERBIRTH CONTRACTIONS
contractions of the uterus that may occur for several days after childbirth, signaling that the uterus is shrinking to its prepregnancy size; also called afterpains

AFTERPAINS
contractions of the uterus that may occur for several days after childbirth, signaling that the uterus is shrinking to its prepregnancy size; also called afterbirth contractions

AGPAR EVALUATION
a measurement, taken one and five minutes after birth, of a baby's heart rate, respiratory effort, grimace, muscle tone and color; the total score ranges from 1 to 10, with a maximum of two points in each category

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS (AAP
professional organization of pediatricians with headquarters in Elk Grove Village, IL

AMNIOTIC FLUID
protective fluid in the sac surrounding the fetus in the mother's uterus

AMOXICILLIN
prescriptive antibiotic often given to treat ear infections (otitis media)

ANESTHESIA
relief of pain by loss of sensation; local anesthesia removes sensation in a portion of the body, while general anesthesia causes unconsciousness

ANTERIOR PRESENTATION
position in which the fetus faces the mother’s back

ANTISEPTIC
substance used to clean an area and eliminate contaminants

AREOLA
the darker skin around the nipple of the breast

ARTIFICIAL RUPTURE OF MEMBRANES
breaking the amniotic sac surrounding the baby with an amniohook

ASPIRIN
mild drug used for pain relief and fever; should not be given to any child under the age of 18 because of the risk of Reye's syndrome

ASSOCIATION OF LABOR ASSISTANTS AND CHILDBIRTH EDUCATORS (ALACE)
Organization with headquarters in Cambridge, MA, that trains doulas

AUGMENTATION
speeding up labor

AXILLARY THERMOMETER
thermometer used to take a child's temperature under the arm