Baby blues

A temporary feeling of weepiness that many women experience around three days after the birth. It is triggered by hormonal changes.

BP or bp

Refers to blood pressure and is usually written as bp 120/70 with the two figures showing the ‘active’ and ‘resting’ levels. Raised blood pressure can be a sign of pre-eclampsia.

Braxton Hicks contractions

Mild, irregular contractions which occur as the uterus gets into practice during the weeks leading up to the birth.

Breech presentation

The baby who sits bottom down rather than head down in the uterus is said to be in a breech position. Breech births can be quite difficult and some, though not all, doctors advise delivering breech babies by Caesarean section. Often babies sit in the breech position in mid pregnancy but turn to the head down position later on.

Brow/face presentation

Usually the baby tucks his chin down onto his chest, so that the back of his head is born first. This gives the best fit through the birth canal. Occasionally a baby will extend his neck so that his brow or face is the leading part. This can slow labour down and may mean a Caesarean section is necessary.